In: Chemistry
Ethyl iodide (C2H5I) decomposes at a certain temperature in the gas phase as follows: C2H5I(g) → C2H4(g) + HI(g) From the following data determine the order of the reaction and the rate constant. Time (min) [C2H5I] (M) 0.0 2.00 15.0 1.76 30.0 1.52 48.0 1.23 75.0 0.80
The relevant plots for checking 1st, 2nd and third order have been drawn as follows.
We can see that only plot [C2H5I] vs t is a straight line. So the reaction is of zero order as the concentration of reactant vs time plot is a straight line plot in case of only zero order reaction.
For a zero order reaction the integrated rate law is :
[A]= -kt + [A]o
So slope of the plot for zero order reaction will be equal to minus times the value of rate constant,k.
From the plot of [C2H5I] vs t we can see the slope is -0.016. Thus rate constant,k=0.016Ms-1.
Comment in case of any doubt.