Question

Ethanol, C₂H₅OH, is removed from the bloodstream by a series of metabolic reactions. The data below were determined for the rate at which ethanol was removed from the blood of Suzy Student.

Time (h) [C₂H₅OH] (M)
0.00 0.048
0.50 0.039
1.00 0.030
1.50 0.021
2.00 0.012


Determine the rate law.
A. Rate =k
B. Rate =k[C₂H₅OH]
C. Rate =k[C₂H₅OH]²

Answer 1

The rate law for the removal of ethanol from the bloodstream is Rate = k[C₂H₅OH]. The correct answer is option: B. Rate =k[C₂H₅OH]

Step-by-step explanation:

The rate law for the removal of ethanol from the bloodstream can be determined by analyzing the data on the concentrations of ethanol at different times. Looking at the data, we can see that the rate of ethanol removal is not directly proportional to the concentration of ethanol. If it were directly proportional, we would observe a consistent decrease in concentration with time.

However, the concentration of ethanol decreases at a slower rate as time progresses, indicating that the reaction is not zeroth order. Additionally, the concentration of ethanol decreases exponentially with time, suggesting that the reaction follows first-order kinetics. Therefore, the rate law for the removal of ethanol from the bloodstream is given by:

Rate = k[C₂H₅OH]