Also how would you find the average constant?

  • Thread starter Thread starter courtrigrad
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Average Constant
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on determining the rate law and average rate constant for a reaction involving three reactants, A, B, and C, based on experimental data from four trials. The participants analyze how changes in the concentration of reactants affect the reaction rate, specifically using the rate law equation k[A]^m[B]^n[C]^z. They conclude that the reaction order for reactant B is 1, while A and C do not contribute to the rate law, resulting in an overall reaction order of 1. The method involves comparing trials where the concentrations of two reactants remain constant to isolate the effect of the changing reactant.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of chemical kinetics and rate laws
  • Familiarity with the concept of reaction order
  • Knowledge of logarithmic functions and their application in chemical equations
  • Ability to manipulate and solve algebraic equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to derive rate laws from experimental data using the method of initial rates
  • Study the impact of concentration changes on reaction rates in chemical kinetics
  • Explore the use of the Arrhenius equation for calculating rate constants
  • Investigate the relationship between reaction order and half-life in chemical reactions
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, researchers in chemical kinetics, and professionals involved in reaction mechanism studies will benefit from this discussion.

courtrigrad
Messages
1,236
Reaction score
2
Hello

If we have a number of trials, and are given the concentration of 3 reactants is this how you would find the rate law? Also how would you find the average constant?

1 : 0.001 \ \ 0.1 \ \ 0.2 \ \ 1.2 \times 10^{-6}
2 : 0.001 \ \ 0.4 \ \ 0.2 \ \ 0.48\times 10^{-5}
3 : 0.003 \ \ 0.1 \ \ 0.2 \ \ 108\times 10^{-7}
4 : 0.003 \ \ 0.4 \ \ 0.4 \ \ 86.4 \times 10^{-6}


The 4 numbers are the # of trials, and the three numbers beside them are the concentration of the three reactants. The last number is the rate in mol/L*s


So using the rate law k[A]^{m}<b>^{n}[C]^{z} </b> I know that in trial 1 the rate goes down by a factor of 1/4. A and C are the same but B changes. Does that mean B's reaction order is 1/4?
Any help in trying to find the average value of the rate constant and the rate law would be appreciated.

Thanks :smile:
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
would i have to compare rates from three experiments?
 
You were close, just one manipulation, and one final step to get the answer.

When trying to find the rate law pick the two trials where the concentrations of two of the substances stay the same and only one changes then solve for the rate law by taking the ln of the solution.

\frac{rate2}{rate1}=\frac{k[A]^x <b>^y [C]^z}{k[A]^x <b>^y [C]^z}</b></b>

Say we take runs 1 and 2 where the 1st (A) and 3rd (C) reactant concentrations stay the same so we can just cancel out the A's, C's and k's: the reaction constant is the same at constant temperature which we are assuming with the experimental data:

\frac{1.2\times{10^-6}}{0.48\times{10^-5}}=\frac{(0.1)^y}{(0.4)^y}

One of the rules of exponents allows us to simplify the right side:

0.25=(0.25)^y

Finally take the ln of both sides to bring down the unknown y and solve for the rate order value for the "B" concentration.

ln(0.25)=yln(0.25)
y = 1
 
I believe that because from Trial 1 to Trial 2, goes down 1/4th while A and C remain constant, and the rate also changes by a factor of 1/4th, this means that is zeroth order in relation to the rate constant, so I believe that you can strike it from your rate law; meaning that the rate law will now only depend on A and C.

If I am on the right track, let me advise you to use that knowledge to find the exponents for A and C. Hint: for [C] look at Trials 3 and 4 and apply your knowledge of the rate laws.

Correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a while since I did rate of reactions, so I may be a little fuzzy.

-Art

EDIT: Hrmph never mind then, I must be incorrect. bross, good solution
 
so would the reaction equation be {k[A]^0 <b>^1 [C]^0} </b> making it an overall order of 1? How do you find k? k would be 1 because it cancels out and has no effect on the reaction?
 
Last edited:
To find the rate order of A and C you have to repeat the same process as you did for B using the rates where B and C stay the same, to find A, and A and B stay the same, to find C.

Then to find the rate constant k, just take anyone of the three trials and sub the data into the equation you have found as the only unknown is k.
 
Artermis said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a while since I did rate of reactions, so I may be a little fuzzy.
You're right that you're wrong ! :wink:

courtigrad : you have 4 equations in 4 unknowns, so you should be able to solve them.

There's a simple way, by inspection, that will work. You just have to choose the right lines to compare. From bross' work, you know that the rate is linear (first order) in ; meaning that when you double or triple , the rate will correspondingly double or triple.

Next compare lines 1 and 3. What concentrations change between these trials ? By what factor ? And how does this change the rate ? So, what can you tell from this ?
 

Similar threads

Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
0
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
7K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
36K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K