Arrhenius Equation: Can We Substitute k with 1/t?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the Arrhenius equation, which describes the relationship between the rate constant (k) and temperature (T) in chemical reactions. Initially, there is confusion about substituting the rate constant k with the inverse of time (1/t) in the equation, leading to the formulation 1/t = Ae^(-Ea/RT). However, it is clarified that the rate constant k is a fixed value that does not vary with time, although the rate of reaction can be influenced by both k and 1/t. The conversation emphasizes that while k is a function of temperature, it remains constant for a given reaction at a specific temperature, and any changes in temperature over time will affect k. The distinction between the rate of reaction and the rate constant is highlighted, noting that the rate constant is not interchangeable with 1/t, except in specific cases like zero-order reactions.
fhlfw
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I know the Arrhenius equation is k=Ae^-Ea/RT
The rate constant k is directly proportional to 1/t
(t stands for the time for the reaction to reach a point)

So I wonder if we can substitute k by 1/t in the Arrhenius equation to become 1/t=Ae^-Ea/RT ?

Thanks a lot
 
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fhlfw said:
The rate constant k is directly proportional to 1/t
The rate constant is a constant, it doesn't vary with time.
 
My bad, I have made a mistake. It should be:

The rate of reaction is directly proportional to both rate constant k and 1/t
So are k and 1/t interchangeable in the Arrhenius equation?
 
fhlfw said:
The rate constant k is directly proportional to 1/t
(t stands for the time for the reaction to reach a point)

For the case that you mean something like this:

\dot \xi = \frac{{\Delta \xi }}{{\Delta t}}

That is just an approximation (except for zero-order reactions).

DrClaude said:
The rate constant is a constant, it doesn't vary with time.

Accorting to the Arrhenius equation the rate constant is a function of temperature. If temperature changes over time than the rate constant changes over time too.
 
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