Final answer:
The rate of a chemical reaction refers to the change in concentration of a reactant or product per unit time, typically expressed in molarity per second (M/s), and is influenced by the stoichiometric coefficients of the reaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rate of a chemical reaction is defined as the change in concentration of a reactant or product per unit time. For a reaction where substance A converts to substance B, the rate can be expressed by the decrease in concentration of A ([A]) over time or by the increase in concentration of B ([B]) over time.
Typically, the units of reaction rate are molarity per second (M/s), but this can change depending on the specific reaction being observed.
To properly assess the rate of a given reaction, one must consider the stoichiometric coefficients in the balanced equation, which dictate the relationships between the rates of consumption of reactants and formation of products.