Chapter 14: Problem 33
The half-life for the second-order reaction of a substance A is \(50.5 \mathrm{~s}\) when \([\mathrm{A}]_{0}=0.84 \mathrm{~mol} \cdot \mathrm{L}^{-1}\). Calculate the time needed for the concentration of A to decrease to (a) one- sixteenth; (b) onefourth; (c) one-fifth of its original value.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Substitute the values into the second-order reaction time formula and solve for \( t \) for each concentration level (one-sixteenth, one-fourth, and one-fifth) using the calculated rate constant \( k \).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Given Information
The problem states that we have a second-order reaction with a half-life of 50.5 seconds when the initial concentration \( [A]_0 \) is 0.84 mol/L. For a second-order reaction, the half-life is inversely proportional to the initial concentration. The half-life formula for a second-order reaction can be written as \( t_{1/2} = \frac{1}{k[A]_0} \) where \( k \) is the rate constant.
02
Calculate the Rate Constant
First, we need to calculate the rate constant \( k \) using the given half-life and initial concentration. We rearrange the half-life formula to solve for \( k \) with \( t_{1/2} = 50.5 s \) and \( [A]_0 = 0.84 mol/L \) which gives us \( k = \frac{1}{t_{1/2}[A]_0} \) or \( k = \frac{1}{50.5 \times 0.84} \) s\textsuperscript{-1}.
03
Determine the Final Concentration Values
We need to calculate the times for different final concentrations: (a) \( \frac{[A]_0}{16} \) (b) \( \frac{[A]_0}{4} \) (c) \( \frac{[A]_0}{5} \) for substance A.
04
Apply the Second-Order Reaction Formula
For a second-order reaction, the formula relating time, initial concentration, and final concentration is \( \frac{1}{[A]} - \frac{1}{[A]_0} = kt \) where \( t \) is the time required for the concentration to change from \( [A]_0 \) to \( [A] \). Now, we will use this formula to calculate the times for each final concentration.
05
Calculate Time for One-Sixteenth Concentration
Using the formula \( \frac{1}{[A]} - \frac{1}{[A]_0} = kt \) with \( [A] = \frac{[A]_0}{16} \) and the rate constant \( k \) already calculated, we solve for time \( t \).
06
Calculate Time for One-Fourth Concentration
Similarly, use the formula \( \frac{1}{[A]} - \frac{1}{[A]_0} = kt \) with \( [A] = \frac{[A]_0}{4} \) and the known value of \( k \) to find the time \( t \) for this concentration level.
07
Calculate Time for One-Fifth Concentration
Lastly, apply the formula \( \frac{1}{[A]} - \frac{1}{[A]_0} = kt \) using \( [A] = \frac{[A]_0}{5} \) to calculate the time \( t \) for the substance A to reach one-fifth of its original concentration.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Chemical Kinetics
Chemical kinetics is a branch of physical chemistry that deals with understanding the rates of chemical reactions. It’s not just about identifying how long a reaction will take to complete, but also about grasping the various factors that influence this rate. A fundamental aspect of chemical kinetics is the identification of the order of a reaction, which indicates how the rate depends on the concentration of the reactants.
For instance, a second-order reaction involves the rate of a reaction being proportional to the square of the concentration of one reactant or the product of the concentrations of two reactants. In the exercise provided, we delved into a second-order reaction, where the half-life depends on the initial concentration and provides essential insights into how quickly reactant concentrations decrease over time.
For instance, a second-order reaction involves the rate of a reaction being proportional to the square of the concentration of one reactant or the product of the concentrations of two reactants. In the exercise provided, we delved into a second-order reaction, where the half-life depends on the initial concentration and provides essential insights into how quickly reactant concentrations decrease over time.
Reaction Rate Constant
The reaction rate constant, denoted as k, is a crucial term in the equation that describes the speed of a chemical reaction. In the context of a second-order reaction, the rate constant bridges the relationship between the concentration of reactants and the rate at which they are converted to products.
The value of k is determined experimentally and can vary with temperature, pressure, and the presence of a catalyst. Our step-by-step example began with the computation of the rate constant using the provided half-life and initial concentration. Knowing the rate constant is essential for predicting the concentration of reactants at any point in time during a reaction.
The value of k is determined experimentally and can vary with temperature, pressure, and the presence of a catalyst. Our step-by-step example began with the computation of the rate constant using the provided half-life and initial concentration. Knowing the rate constant is essential for predicting the concentration of reactants at any point in time during a reaction.
Half-Life of Reaction
Half-life, commonly symbolized as t1/2, is a term that describes the time required for the concentration of a reactant to decrease to half of its original value. This is a particularly handy concept when discussing radioactive decay, but it also plays a significant role in chemical kinetics.
In second-order reactions, the half-life is uniquely dependent on the initial concentration of the reactant, inversely so. As we observed in our exercise example, a given half-life and initial concentration allowed for the calculation of the reaction rate constant. Understanding half-life can provide insights into the durability and effectiveness of substances over time, which is valuable in various fields such as pharmacology and environmental science.
In second-order reactions, the half-life is uniquely dependent on the initial concentration of the reactant, inversely so. As we observed in our exercise example, a given half-life and initial concentration allowed for the calculation of the reaction rate constant. Understanding half-life can provide insights into the durability and effectiveness of substances over time, which is valuable in various fields such as pharmacology and environmental science.
Concentration-Time Relationship
The concentration-time relationship is a key concept in chemical kinetics that describes how the concentration of reactants change as a reaction progresses. In a second-order reaction, this relationship can be expressed by the equation \( \frac{1}{[A]} - \frac{1}{[A]_0} = kt \), where [A] represents the concentration of the reactant at time t, [A]_0 is the initial concentration, and k is the rate constant.
The equation showcases that, unlike in zero or first-order reactions, the change in the inverse of concentration with time is linear. In practical terms, this means that as time goes on, the concentration decreases more slowly than in a first-order reaction, which is a logarithmic relationship. This relationship allows us to calculate not only the time it takes for the concentration to fall to a certain level, as demonstrated in our textbook example, but also to predict future concentrations at any given time during the reaction.
The equation showcases that, unlike in zero or first-order reactions, the change in the inverse of concentration with time is linear. In practical terms, this means that as time goes on, the concentration decreases more slowly than in a first-order reaction, which is a logarithmic relationship. This relationship allows us to calculate not only the time it takes for the concentration to fall to a certain level, as demonstrated in our textbook example, but also to predict future concentrations at any given time during the reaction.