Final answer:
The rate equation rate = k[B]² indicates that the reaction is second order with respect to reactant B and that the rate of reaction is proportional to the square of the concentration of B. The rate constant k remains constant under a given set of conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When analyzing the expression rate = k[B]², it refers to the rate of a chemical reaction that is second order with respect to reactant B. This equation signifies that the reaction rate is directly proportional to the square of the concentration of B. The rate constant k is a reflection of the reaction's conditions, such as temperature, but does not change as the reaction progresses.
The overall order of the reaction is typically the sum of the exponents (m and n) of the concentration terms. In the given equation, since B has an exponent of 2, the reaction is second order overall. Determining the reaction order requires experimental data because the order illustrates how sensitive the reaction rate is to changes in concentrations of the reactants. Within this context, the rate law could be investigated by varying the concentration of B while keeping other reactants constant, if present.