Chapter VI Footnotes
[166] Concentrations are usually measured in moles or gram-molecular weights per liter, and a gram-molecular or molar weight of a compound is its molecular weight expressed in grams. Hence the number of grams of a given substance in a liter divided by its molecular weight represents its concentration.
[167] Nernst, Theoretical Chemistry, 423, 433; Ostwald, Lehrbuch, II2, 104, etc., 296; Walker, Introduction to Physical Chemistry (1909), 259, etc.
[168] Not every collision of a molecule of A with one of B is supposed to result in a chemical interaction, but the number of collisions with such a result is considered to be directly proportional to the total number of collisions. Van 't Hoff, Lectures on Physical Chemistry, I, 104.
[169] Since in any chemical action, which has not reached a condition of equilibrium, the concentrations of the reacting substances change continuously, the relation between the velocity of the action and the concentrations, for any moment, is found by the application of the calculus to the experimental data. (Cf. Elements of Calculus, by Young and Linebarger (1900), 168, 181, 240; Mellor, Higher Mathematics for Students of Chemistry and Physics (1902), 197.)
[170] Nernst, loc. cit., 541, etc.; Ostwald, loc. cit., 107, etc.; Walker, loc. cit., 257; Smith, loc. cit., 250, and 180 (Stud.).
[171] If a component takes part more than once in the action, its concentration is raised to the power corresponding to the coefficient expressing the number of its molecules taking part in the action. For instance, for A + 2 B → C + D, v1 = k1 × [A] × [B]2; (see below).
[172] Cf. Van 't Hoff, loc. cit., I, 206.
[173] The concentrations are calculated from the data given by Bodenstein, Z. phys. Chem., 22, 16 (1897). (Cf. Van 't Hoff loc. cit., I, 110.)
[174] The fundamental meaning of the law is most accurately defined in thermodynamic terms, that is, in terms of the work or energy relations connected with changes of gaseous or osmotic pressures.