Chemistry / Unit 9 Chem 1649 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Rate Constant Units Vary With Overall Order
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The idea
A rate constant's units depend on a reaction's overall order, since the constant converts concentration terms into a rate.
In practice
A first-order rate constant carries units of inverse time (s⁻¹), while a second-order one carries L/mol/s instead.
Where people slip
Quoting a rate constant without its units leaves it ambiguous — the number could describe reactions of different orders.
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