Chemical kinetics is the study of the rates of chemical reactions and of the factors, such as concentration, temperature, and catalysts, that determine how fast reactions proceed. It also seeks to explain reaction rates in terms of the underlying mechanism. Kinetics complements thermodynamics: thermodynamics tells whether a reaction can occur, while kinetics tells how fast.

化学动力学是研究化学反应速率以及决定反应快慢的各种因素(如浓度、温度和催化剂)的学科。它还力求依据潜在的反应机理来解释反应速率。动力学与热力学相补充:热力学说明反应能否发生,而动力学说明反应有多快。