Zero-Order Reaction
A reaction whose rate is independent of the concentration of the reactant.
Formula / equation
[A] = [A]₀ − kt
Unit
mol/(L·s)
In depth
A plot of concentration against time is a straight line with gradient −k, and the half-life halves as the reaction proceeds. Zero-order behaviour arises when some other factor limits the rate, typically a saturated catalyst surface, a saturated enzyme, or a fixed light intensity.
Examples in the real world
Alcohol metabolism in the liver, which proceeds at a constant rate because the enzyme is saturated.