# kinetics

/kəˈnɛtɪks/ (US) · /kɪnˈɛtɪks/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kinetics
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

the study of how fast a chemical reaction happens. It looks at the speed of the reaction and what factors, like temperature or pressure, affect it.

For teachers: the branch of physical chemistry concerned with the rates of chemical reactions and the mechanisms by which they occur.

## Examples

- The kinetics of the reaction are very fast.
- Scientists are studying the kinetics of the new catalyst to see if it can speed up the industrial process.
- Understanding the kinetics of a reaction is essential for optimizing industrial yields, as it allows engineers to predict how quickly a process will reach equilibrium under specific conditions.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.