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Which of the following is a proper unit for the elimination rate constant?

A. minutes
B. mg/minute
C. hr-1
D. mg/L

User Atheane
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1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The correct unit for the elimination rate constant is hr^-1, which is a measure of the reaction's decay rate over time and indicates a first-order process.

Step-by-step explanation:

The proper unit for the elimination rate constant is hr-1 or, equivalently, min-1 or s-1. This unit expresses the rate constant in terms of time-1 and reflects the fact that the rate constant is a measure of how quickly a reactant is consumed over time. In options provided, C.

hr-1 is the correct unit as it corresponds to the reciprocal of time, indicating a first-order decay process where the rate is proportional to the concentration of the substance being eliminated. For example, 1.5 × 10-3 min-1 is an expression of a rate constant for a reaction that could inform pharmacists about the stability of a drug like cisplatin and help control the formation of toxic species.

User Jason McFarlane
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