In: Chemistry
A reaction has a rate constant of 1.22*10^-4/s at 27 0C and 0.230/s at 78 0C. Determine the activation barrier for the reaction. What is the value of the rate constant at 18 0C?
Solution :-
Given data
K1 = 1.22*10^-4 s-1
K2 = 0.230 s-1
Temperature T1 = 27 C +273 = 300 K
Temperature T2 = 78 C +273 = 351 K
Activation energy Ea = ?
Using the Arrhenius equation we can calculate the activation energy as follows
ln[k2/k1] = Ea/R [(1/T1)-(1/T2)]
R= constant = 8.314 J permol K
Lets put the values in the formula
ln[0.230/1.22*10^-4] = Ea/8.314 J per mol K [(1/300)-(1/351)]
7.5418=Ea/8.314 J permol K *0.000484 K
Ea = 7.5418*8.314 J per mol K / 0.000484 K
Ea = 129551 J permol
Lets convert it to okJ
129551 J per mol * 1 kJ / 1000 J = 129.6 kJ per mol
Therefore the activation barrier is 129.6 kJ per mol
Second part
Calculating the rate constant at 18 C
18 C +273 = 291 K
Lets use the initial temperature and rate constant at 27 C that is 300 K and K1 = 1.22*10^-4 s-1
Using the same equation we can calculate the rate constant K2 at 18 C that is 291 K
ln[K2/K1] = Ea/R [(1/T1)-(1/T2)]
lets put the values in the formula
ln[K2/1.22*10^-4]= 129551 J per mol / 8.314 J per mol K *[(1/300)-(1/291)]
ln[K2/1.22*10^-4]= -1.61
[K2/1.22*10^-4]= anti ln -1.61
K2/1.22*10^-4= 0.1999
K2 = 0.1999 * 1.22*10^-4
K2=2.44*10^-5 s-1
Therefore the rate constant at 18 C = 2.44*10^-5 /s