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Integrated rate laws are crucial tools in chemical kinetics. They help predict how reactant concentrations change over time, allowing us to calculate concentrations at any point during a reaction.

These laws are derived from differential rate laws and come in three main types: first-order, second-order, and zero-order. Each type has unique equations and applications in real-world chemical processes.

Integrated Rate Laws for Reactions

Deriving Integrated Rate Laws

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  • Integrated rate laws are derived by integrating the differential rate law
    • Differential rate law relates the rate of a reaction to the concentrations of the reactants
  • integrated rate law: ln[A]t=kt+ln[A]0ln[A]_t = -kt + ln[A]_0
    • [A]t[A]_t concentration of reactant A at time t
    • [A]0[A]_0 of A
    • kk
  • integrated rate law: 1/[A]t=kt+1/[A]01/[A]_t = kt + 1/[A]_0
    • [A]t[A]_t concentration of reactant A at time t
    • [A]0[A]_0 initial concentration of A
    • kk rate constant
  • integrated rate law: [A]t=kt+[A]0[A]_t = -kt + [A]_0
    • [A]t[A]_t concentration of reactant A at time t
    • [A]0[A]_0 initial concentration of A
    • kk rate constant

Applying Integrated Rate Laws

  • Integrated rate laws can be used to calculate the concentration of a reactant or product at any given time
    • Requires knowledge of the initial concentration and rate constant
  • First-order reaction concentration at time t: [A]t=[A]0ekt[A]_t = [A]_0e^{-kt}
    • [A]0[A]_0 initial concentration of A
    • kk rate constant
    • tt time
    • Example: Radioactive decay of carbon-14
  • Second-order reaction concentration at time t: [A]t=[A]0/(1+[A]0kt)[A]_t = [A]_0/(1 + [A]_0kt)
    • [A]0[A]_0 initial concentration of A
    • kk rate constant
    • tt time
    • Example: Dimerization of cyclopentadiene
  • Zero-order reaction concentration at time t: [A]t=[A]0kt[A]_t = [A]_0 - kt
    • [A]0[A]_0 initial concentration of A
    • kk rate constant
    • tt time
    • Example: Catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

Calculating Half-Life

Half-Life Equations

  • (t1/2t_{1/2}) time required for the concentration of a reactant to decrease to half of its initial value
  • First-order reaction half-life: t1/2=ln(2)/kt_{1/2} = ln(2)/k
    • Independent of initial concentration
    • kk rate constant
  • Second-order reaction half-life: t1/2=1/([A]0k)t_{1/2} = 1/([A]_0k)
    • Depends on initial concentration
    • [A]0[A]_0 initial concentration of reactant A
    • kk rate constant
  • Zero-order reaction half-life: t1/2=[A]0/(2k)t_{1/2} = [A]_0/(2k)
    • Depends on initial concentration
    • [A]0[A]_0 initial concentration of reactant A
    • kk rate constant

Half-Life Examples

  • First-order reaction example: Decomposition of N2O5
    • Half-life remains constant regardless of initial concentration
  • Second-order reaction example: Hydrolysis of sucrose
    • Half-life decreases as initial concentration increases
  • Zero-order reaction example: Enzyme-catalyzed reactions
    • Half-life increases as initial concentration increases

Reaction Order Analysis with Integrated Rate Laws

Graphical Analysis

  • Reaction order can be determined by analyzing experimental concentration-time data
    • Compare data to integrated rate laws for different reaction orders
  • First-order reaction: plot of ln[A]ln[A] vs. time yields a straight line
    • equals k-k, where kk is the rate constant
  • Second-order reaction: plot of 1/[A]1/[A] vs. time yields a straight line
    • Slope equals kk, where kk is the rate constant
  • Zero-order reaction: plot of [A][A] vs. time yields a straight line
    • Slope equals k-k, where kk is the rate constant

Confirming Reaction Order

  • Reaction order can be confirmed by comparing calculated half-life values with expected half-life expressions
    • First-order: half-life is independent of initial concentration
    • Second-order: half-life is inversely proportional to initial concentration
    • Zero-order: half-life is directly proportional to initial concentration
  • Example: Decomposition of nitrogen pentoxide (N2O5)
    • Plotting ln[N2O5]ln[N2O5] vs. time yields a straight line, indicating first-order reaction
    • Half-life remains constant at different initial concentrations, confirming first-order
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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
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