Question

What would be the specific mathematical effect on the reaction rate if you carried out the sodium iodide-in-acetone reactions on the alkyl halides using an iodide solution half as concentrated? ("Slower" or "faster" is not specific enough.)

Answer 1

Slower

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction between alkyl halides and sodium iodide-in-acetone is an SN2 reaction. The rate of reaction depends on the concentration of the alkyl halide as well as the concentration of the sodium iodide. It is a bimolecular reaction.

This means that if the concentration of any of the reactants is halved, the rate of reaction decreases accordingly.

Therefore, if the iodide solution is half as concentrated, the reaction is observed to be slower in accordance with the rate law;

Rate = k[alkyl halide] [iodide]