Question

Experimental data for the reaction A -> 2B + C have been plotted in the following three different ways (with concentration units in mol/L):

a) Rate vs. [A]
b) [B] vs. Time
c) [C] vs. Time
d) Integrated Rate Law

Answer 1

The question concerns chemical kinetics, with a focus on determining reaction rates and integrated rate laws for a given chemical reaction. Various plots and graphical methods are used to elucidate reaction kinetics and ascertain the reaction order and rate constant.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question you have asked is related to understanding the kinetics of a chemical reaction, specifically the determination of the reaction rate and the integrated rate law for the reaction A → 2B + C. The reaction rate is quantified by the change in the concentration of reactant or product over time, and chemists use various plots to comprehend this change and related kinetics; for example, a rate versus concentration plot (Rate vs. [A]), concentration versus time plots ([B] vs. Time and [C] vs. Time), and calculations involving the integrated rate law. The integrated rate law can illustrate reaction kinetics through a linear relationship, as seen in a zeroth-order reaction where the concentration of a reactant decreases linearly over time.

The order of a reaction and the rate constant can be determined graphically by plotting concentration data as provided. For instance, if the plot of concentration of [A] versus time yields a straight line, then this could indicate a zeroth-order reaction. Conversely, other orders of reactions will produce characteristic plots that correspond with their rate equations. For example, a second-order reaction would typically have a plot of 1/[A] versus time that is a straight line.

In the case where A+B → C, the reaction rate can change proportionally with the concentrations of A and/or B. The rate law (rate = k [A] [B]) expresses this dependency and must be determined experimentally. By analyzing the given data points of concentration of A over time and correlating them with the reaction rate, one can deduce both the order of the reaction with respect to A and the rate constant (k).

Answer 2

The student's question is about using integrated rate laws and graphical analysis to determine the reaction order and rate constant in chemical kinetics for the reaction A → 2B + C by plotting concentrations of reactants and products over time.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the study of chemical kinetics, specifically focusing on the integrated rate laws and graphical methods used to determine the reaction order and rate constants. Determining the order with respect to a reactant A and the rate constant for a reaction like A → 2B + C involves plotting the concentration of reactants and products over time and analyzing the data to identify the linear relationships suggested by zeroth, first, or second-order kinetics. Zeroth-order reactions produce a straight line when concentration of the reactant is plotted against time, as outlined by the equation [A] = [A]o - kt. For first-order reactions, a plot of ln[A] against time yields a straight line, whereas for second-order reactions, 1/[A] versus time produces the linear relationship.

Estimating the reaction rate and determining the order of a reaction are foundational aspects of kinetics and can be accomplished through understanding changes in reactant and product concentrations over time. The integrated rate law for a reaction is used to relate the concentrations of reactants at different times to the rate constant.