Example 1
The following data were obtained for the reaction 3 A → 2 B:
|
Time, s
|
0
|
1
|
10
|
11
|
20
|
|
[A], M
|
0.200
|
0.0282
|
0.0116
|
0.0106
|
0.008
|
Determine the order of the reaction.
Solution
We can plot the characteristic kinetic plots of zero-, first-, and second-order reactions to determine which will give a straight line.
|
Time, s
|
[A], mol L-1
|
ln [A]
|
1/[A], L mol-1
|
|
0
|
0.200
|
-1.61
|
1.00
|
|
1
|
0.0282
|
-3.17
|
31.1
|
|
10
|
0.0116
|
-4.16
|
64.1
|
|
11
|
0.0106
|
-4.11
|
94.3
|
|
20
|
0.008
|
-4.83
|
121
|
The reaction is second order since 1/[A]t versus t gives a straight line.
