The average rate of reaction is defined as the ratio of the change in the concentration of the reactants or the products of a chemical reaction to the time interval. Following is the mathematical representation of the average rate:
Average rate of reaction = \(\frac{\Delta X}{\Delta t}\)
The average rate of reaction can be either positive or negative.
- The average rate of reaction is said to positive when the rate of concentration of product increases.
- The average rate of reaction is said to negative when the rate of concentration of the reactant decreases.