The mathematical relationship of reaction rate with reactant concentrations is known as the rate law. This relationship may rely more heavily on the concentration of one particular reactant, and the resulting rate law may include some, all, or none of the reactant species involved in the reaction.

For the following hypothetical reaction

a A + b B → c C

the rate law can be expressed as:

Rate = k[A]^y[B]^z

The proportionality constant, k, is known as the rate constant and is specific for the reaction shown at a particular temperature. The rate constant changes with temperature, and its units depend on the sum of the concentration term exponents in the rate law. The exponents (y and z) must be experimentally determined and do not necessarily correspond to the coefficients in the balanced chemical equation.