If the rate law is rate = k [A]^2, and you double [A], by what factor does the rate change?

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Multiple Choice

If the rate law is rate = k [A]^2, and you double [A], by what factor does the rate change?

Explanation:
The rate law shows how the rate depends on the concentration of A: it’s proportional to [A] squared, so the reaction is second order in A. If you double [A], substitute into the rate expression: new rate = k (2[A])^2 = k × 4 × [A]^2 = 4 × (original rate). The rate constant k stays the same, so the rate increases by a factor of four.

The rate law shows how the rate depends on the concentration of A: it’s proportional to [A] squared, so the reaction is second order in A. If you double [A], substitute into the rate expression: new rate = k (2[A])^2 = k × 4 × [A]^2 = 4 × (original rate). The rate constant k stays the same, so the rate increases by a factor of four.

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