Here’s a simple explanation of zero, first, and second-order reactions:
- Zero-order: Rate does not depend on the concentration.
- Doubling reactant → rate stays the same.
- First-order: Rate depends linearly on concentration.
- Doubling reactant → rate doubles.
- Second-order: Rate depends on the square of concentration (or product of two reactants).
- Doubling reactant → rate quadruples.
In short: The higher the order, the more the rate changes with concentration.