Final answer:
The reaction rate's dependence on [S2O82-] can be inferred from experiments that show how rate changes with concentration changes, revealing whether the relationship is zero, first, or second order.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the information provided, we can conclude about the dependence of the rate on the concentration of S2O82- (persulfate). When comparing experiments with varying concentrations of a reactant while keeping others constant, and observing that the rate of reaction changes directly in proportion to the concentration changes, it indicates that the rate is directly proportional to that reactant's concentration. Specifically, if the reaction rate doubles when the concentration of S2O82- doubles, the rate is first-order with respect to S2O82-. If the rate quadruples when the concentration doubles, then the rate is second-order (proportional to the square of the concentration). Similarly, if the concentration of the reactant has no effect on the rate, the reaction is zero-order with respect to that reactant. However, without specific experimental data for S2O82-, we cannot definitively choose between options a, b, c, or d.