Question
Jan Villaroel
Topic: Chemistry Posted 1 year ago
A first-order reaction has a rate constant of 0.025 s^-1. Calculate the time it takes for the concentration of the reactant to decrease to one-fourth of its initial value.

A first-order reaction has a rate constant of 0.025 s^-1. Calculate the time it takes for the concentration of the reactant to decrease to one-fourth of its initial value.


Answers
What are best answers and total votes?
No Votes
Vote
SignIn to Vote
Koala Tutor
Oct 9, 2023
Koala Ai Support

A first-order reaction follows the equation:

ln(C/C0) = -kt

Where:
C is the final concentration of the reactant
C0 is the initial concentration of the reactant
k is the rate constant
t is the time

We want to find the time it takes for the concentration of the reactant to decrease to one-fourth of its initial value, which means C = C0/4.

Substituting these values into the equation, we get:

ln(C0/4/C0) = -0.025t

Simplifying, we have:

ln(1/4) = -0.025t

ln(1/4) is equal to -ln(4), so the equation becomes:

-ln(4) = -0.025t

Taking the natural logarithm of both sides:

ln(4) = 0.025t

Dividing both sides by 0.025:

t = ln(4)/0.025

Using a calculator, we find:

t ≈ 27.73 s

Therefore, it takes about 27.73 seconds for the concentration of the reactant to decrease to one-fourth of its initial value.

Koala Tutor Got a question with my answer?
Message Me