Rate laws (rate equations)
The
differential rate equation shows the mathematical relationship between the rate to the concentration of substances upon which the rate depends. Ultimately, it gives chemists information about the detailed pathway for the reaction.
For a reaction: aA + bB → cC + dD
the differential rate equation may have the form: rate = k[A]x[B]y
x and y must be experimentally determined
The rate constant k depends on the reaction and the temperature at which it is carried out.