Final answer:
The reaction rate depends on the concentration of reactants and the rate constant, which is independent of the reactant concentrations but varies with temperature. Reaction orders are determined experimentally and influence how the reaction rate is affected by reactant concentrations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reaction rate of a chemical reaction is fundamentally influenced by the reactant concentrations and a specific rate constant (k). For a typical reaction aA + bB → cC + dD, the rate law is expressed as rate = k[A]m[B]n, where [A] and [B] represent the molar concentrations of reactants A and B, respectively.
The exponents m and n signify the reaction orders with respect to A and B, and are determined through experimental measurements. These reaction orders indicate how the rate of reaction depends on the concentration of each reactant.
The overall reaction order is the sum of the individual orders (m + n). Importantly, the rate constant k does not depend on the concentration of the reactants but is characteristic of the particular reaction under a specific set of conditions such as temperature and pressure.
However, k can vary with temperature even though it remains constant under a given set of conditions.
Therefore, in response to the options provided in the question, the correct answer is (d) The reaction rate depends on [reactants], but the rate constant does not depend on [reactants].