For the reaction where some reactant, R, goes to products (i. e., R ® products), the rate law is given by the expression: rate = k·[R]n. The table below shows how to graph the data of [R] as a function of time, [R]t, for each of the possible overall orders of the reaction (n). The table also gives the meaning of the slope and intercept when these graphs are linear and the units on the rate constant, k.
| n | Order of Reaction |
Rate Law | Dependent Variable |
Independent Variable |
Slope | Intercept | Units on k |
| 0 | 0th Order | rate = k | [R]t | t | -k | [R]0 | M·s-1 |
| 1 | 1st Order | rate = k[R] | ln[R]t | t | -k | ln[R]0 | s-1 |
| 2 | 2nd Order | rate = k[R]2 | 1/[R]t | t | +k | 1/[R]0 | M-1·s-1 |
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