5.6.3 - Worked Example

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Initial Rate Data Analysis

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we will start by looking at initial rate data for a hypothetical reaction, A + B β†’ Products. Can anyone explain what we should focus on when we analyze this data?

Student 1
Student 1

We need to see how changing the concentrations of A and B affects the rate of reaction!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! We want to determine how the rate changes with respect to each reactant. First, let's look at our table of data and compare Experiments 1 and 2. What do you see?

Student 2
Student 2

In Experiment 1, [A] is 0.10 and [B] is 0.10 with a rate of 2.0 x 10^-3. In Experiment 2, [A] doubles, but [B] stays the same, and the rate doubles too!

Student 3
Student 3

So, that means the reaction is first order with respect to A, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! We can say m = 1 for A because doubling [A] doubled the rate. Now, how about [B]? Let's look at Experiments 1 and 3.

Student 4
Student 4

Here, when [B] doubles and [A] stays constant, the rate goes from 2.0 x 10^-3 to 8.0 x 10^-3, which is quadrupling!

Teacher
Teacher

Right again! That tells us n = 2 for B. What have we established so far?

Student 1
Student 1

We've determined the orders of the reaction with respect to both reactants!

Teacher
Teacher

Great! This is essential for writing the rate expression. Let’s summarize: The rate order for A is 1 and for B is 2.

Writing the Rate Expression

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, based on our findings, how can we write the rate expression?

Student 2
Student 2

It would be Rate = k [A]^(1) [B]^(2) or just Rate = k [A] [B]Β².

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! This expression shows the relationship between the rate and the concentrations of the reactants. How do we go about calculating the rate constant (k)?

Student 3
Student 3

We can use the values from any of the experiments to find k.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Let's use Experiment 1 to demonstrate. What are the values we need to plug in?

Student 4
Student 4

From Experiment 1: Rate = 2.0 x 10^-3, [A] = 0.10, [B] = 0.10.

Teacher
Teacher

Let’s substitute these values into our rate expression. I'll leave it you to solve for k!

Student 1
Student 1

So, k = (2.0 x 10^-3) / (0.10 * 0.01) which gives us k = 2.0 mol^(-2) dm^6 s^(-1).

Teacher
Teacher

Nice work! By calculating k, we put everything together. Let’s summarize what we've done.

Understanding Rate Constants

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Teacher
Teacher

Now that we have our rate constant, why is k important in chemical reactions?

Student 2
Student 2

It tells us how quickly the reaction occurs under certain conditions!

Student 3
Student 3

And it varies with temperature and other factors!

Teacher
Teacher

You’re right! The rate constant k is specific to the reaction at a given temperature. In which cases might we expect k to change?

Student 4
Student 4

If we increase temperature or add a catalyst, the reaction will have a different k value.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! The speed of reactions can vary based on these factors due to their influence on the effective collision rates. Let’s recap: k is critical for understanding the speed relative to reactant concentrations.

Recap and Application

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

To wrap up today’s lesson, what are the main takeaways from our analysis of the rate expression and rate constant?

Student 1
Student 1

We learned how to analyze initial rates to find orders of reactions!

Student 2
Student 2

And we understood how to write the rate expression based on the orders!

Student 3
Student 3

Also how to calculate the rate constant and its significance!

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent! Knowing these concepts gives us the tools to analyze various chemical reactions quantitatively. How can we apply this in real-world scenarios?

Student 4
Student 4

We can improve industrial processes or synthesize pharmaceutical drugs efficiently!

Teacher
Teacher

Wonderful application! This knowledge is essential in many fields, including industrial chemistry and pharmacology. Great job today, everyone!

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section presents a worked example for determining the rate expression and rate constant for a chemical reaction based on experimental data.

Standard

The worked example illustrates how to analyze initial rate data from a hypothetical reaction to derive the rate expression, determine reaction orders, and calculate the rate constant. It provides step-by-step guidance for interpreting experimental results in the context of chemical kinetics.

Detailed

Worked Example: Understanding Reaction Rates through Experimental Data

In this section, we focus on a worked example that illustrates how to determine the rate expression and rate constant for a hypothetical reaction, A + B β†’ Products, utilizing experimental initial rate data. The foundational approach for this example involves interpreting experimental data and applying the principles of reaction kinetics.

Step 1: Analyzing Initial Rate Data

We begin with the following experimental data:

Experiment Initial [A] (mol dm$^{-3}$) Initial [B] (mol dm$^{-3}$) Initial Rate (mol dm$^{-3}$ s$^{-1}$)
1 0.10 0.10 2.0 x 10$^{-3}$
2 0.20 0.10 4.0 x 10$^{-3}$
3 0.10 0.20 8.0 x 10$^{-3}$

Determining the Order with Respect to [A]

To determine the order with respect to [A], we compare Experiments 1 and 2. Here, the concentration of B remains constant while [A] doubles from 0.10 to 0.20 mol dm$^{-3}$. The rate also doubles from 2.0 x 10$^{-3}$ to 4.0 x 10$^{-3}$ mol dm$^{-3}$ s$^{-1}$, indicating that the reaction is first order with respect to A (m = 1).

Determining the Order with Respect to [B]

Next, comparing Experiments 1 and 3, we find that when [A] is constant but [B] doubles from 0.10 to 0.20 mol dm$^{-3}$, the rate quadruples from 2.0 x 10$^{-3}$ to 8.0 x 10$^{-3}$ mol dm$^{-3}$ s$^{-1}$. This indicates a second order with respect to B (n = 2).

Step 2: Writing the Rate Expression

From the information gathered:
- The raised powers in the rate expression, determined by reaction orders, lead us to the rate expression:
Rate = k [A]$^{1}$ [B]$^{2}$, commonly written as Rate = k [A] [B]$^{2}$.

Step 3: Calculating the Rate Constant (k)

Finally, we can calculate the rate constant (k) using any of the experiments, for instance, using Experiment 1's data:
- Rate = 2.0 x 10$^{-3}$ mol dm$^{-3}$ s$^{-1}$ at [A] = 0.10 mol dm$^{-3}$ and [B] = 0.10 mol dm$^{-3}$.

Substituting into the rate expression, we can isolate k:
2.0 x 10$^{-3}$ = k Γ— (0.10) Γ— (0.10)$^{2}$ β†’ 2.0 x 10$^{-3}$ = k Γ— 0.001 β†’ k = 2.0 mol$^{-2}$ dm$^{6}$ s$^{-1}$.

This example highlights the methodical approach needed in kinetic studies to derive experimental insights into rate expressions and constants fundamental to understanding chemical reaction dynamics.

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Determining Rate Expression for Reaction

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Let's determine the rate expression and rate constant for the hypothetical reaction: A + B β†’ Products, using the following experimental initial rate data:

Experiment Initial [A] (mol dm$^{-3}) Initial [B] (mol dm$^{-3}) Initial Rate (mol dm$^{-3} s^{-1})
1 0.10 0.10 2.0 x 10$^{-3}$
2 0.20 0.10 4.0 x 10$^{-3}$
3 0.10 0.20 8.0 x 10$^{-3}$

Detailed Explanation

In this example, we are given a hypothetical reaction A + B that produces products, along with data from three experiments. Each experiment provides the initial concentrations of A and B and the corresponding rates of reaction. The goal is to determine how the concentration of each reactant affects the reaction rate, known as the rate expression. To do this, we will analyze the data step by step, looking at how changes in the concentrations affect the rate. This starts by comparing the rate changes when [A] is altered while keeping [B] constant and vice versa.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this process as trying to determine how the size of a group affects the speed at which it can finish a task, like a relay race. If you only have two runners and you change one runner's speed while keeping the other steady, you can see how much faster the team completes the race. Similarly, by changing the concentrations of A and B and observing the resultant speed of reaction, we can learn which one has more influence on how quickly the reaction occurs.

Determining Order with Respect to [A]

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● Determine the order with respect to [A]:

  • Compare Experiment 1 and Experiment 2. In these two experiments, the initial concentration of B is kept constant (0.10 mol dm$^{-3}), while the initial concentration of A doubles (from 0.10 to 0.20 mol dm$^{-3}).
  • Observe the change in initial rate: The rate doubles (from 2.0 x 10$^{-3}$ to 4.0 x 10$^{-3}$ mol dm$^{-3} s^{-1}$).
  • Since a doubling in [A] resulted in a doubling of the rate (2Β² = 2), the reaction is first order (m=1) with respect to A.

Detailed Explanation

In this chunk, we focus on determining how the concentration of reactant A affects the speed of the reaction. We examine Experiment 1, where [A] is 0.10 mol dm$^{-3}$, versus Experiment 2, where [A] is 0.20 mol dm$^{-3}$, and track the rate of reaction. Since the rate doubles as A doubles, we can infer that the relationship is linear, indicating that the reaction is first order with respect to A. This means that changing the concentration of A directly affects the reaction rate by the same factor.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a classroom where students are lining up to ask questions. If you double the number of students (analogous to doubling [A]), and the time taken to ask questions directly reflects the number of students in line, then if it takes twice as long with twice as many students, we say there's a direct relationship. This same concept applies to our reaction when studying how [A] influences the overall rate.

Determining Order with Respect to [B]

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● Determine the order with respect to [B]:

  • Compare Experiment 1 and Experiment 3. Here, the initial concentration of A is kept constant (0.10 mol dm$^{-3}), while the initial concentration of B doubles (from 0.10 to 0.20 mol dm$^{-3}).
  • Observe the change in initial rate: The rate quadruples (from 2.0 x 10$^{-3}$ to 8.0 x 10$^{-3}$ mol dm$^{-3} s^{-1}$).
  • Since a doubling in [B] resulted in a quadrupling of the rate (2Β² = 4), the reaction is second order (n=2) with respect to B.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk discusses determining the order of reaction concerning B. We look at Experiments 1 and 3, where [A] remains constant, and compare the rates. As we double the concentration of B while maintaining A, the rate does not just double but quadruples. This suggests that the rate is proportional to the square of the concentration of B, indicating a second-order relationship. Hence, we conclude that the reaction is second order with respect to B, meaning that an increase in concentrations of B will have an even more profound effect on the reaction speed.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a relay race where the speed of the team increases more than proportionally with the increase of one runner's speed. If you increase the speed of one runner (like increasing [B]), and the team finishes the relay four times faster, then the relationship is quadratic. This illustrates how specific variables can influence outcomes in ways that might not be immediately obvious.

Writing the Complete Rate Expression

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● Write the complete rate expression: Based on the determined orders, the rate expression for this reaction is:

Rate = k [A]$^{1}$ [B]$^{2}$, which is commonly written as Rate = k [A] [B]$^{2}$.

Detailed Explanation

Now that we have identified the orders of reaction with respect to both reactants A (first order) and B (second order), we can write the complete rate expression. This expression relates the rate of the reaction to the concentrations of the reactants raised to the power of their respective orders. The formula expresses how the rate depends on the concentration levels, allowing chemists to predict how changing concentrations can influence the reaction speed.

Examples & Analogies

This is similar to a recipe where the quantity of ingredients directly affects the outcome. If you know the amount of flour and sugar (reactants), you can determine how fluffy or sweet your cake (the rate of reaction) will be. The relationship illustrates why understanding these proportions is key in achieving the desired result.

Calculating the Rate Constant (k)

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● Calculate the value and units of the rate constant (k): You can use the data from any of the experiments and substitute the values into the derived rate expression. Let's use Experiment 1:
2.0 x 10$^{-3}$ mol dm$^{-3}$ s$^{-1}$ = k * (0.10 mol dm$^{-3}) * (0.10 mol dm$^{-3})$^2
2.0 x 10$^{-3}$ = k * (0.10) * (0.010)
k = (2.0 x 10$^{-3}$)/(1.0 x 10$^{-3}$)
k = 2.0
To determine the units of k, rearrange the rate expression:
k = Rate/([A][B]$^{2}$)
Units of k = (mol dm$^{-3}$ s$^{-1}) / ((mol dm$^{-3}) * (mol dm$^{-3})$^2$)
Units of k = (mol dm$^{-3}$ s$^{-1}) / (mol$^{3}$ dm$^{-9}$)
Units of k = mol$^{-2}$ dm$^{6}$ s$^{-1}$.
Therefore, the rate constant k = 2.0 mol$^{-2}$ dm$^{6}$ s$^{-1}$.

Detailed Explanation

In this step, we calculate the rate constant (k) using the rate expression we previously formulated. By choosing Experiment 1, we can substitute the known values into the mathematical equation. After rearranging the equation to solve for k, we achieve a numerical value of 2.0. Additionally, we go through the process of deriving the units of k from the rate expression, ensuring they conform to the required dimensions. This understanding of how k operates mathematically and in terms of units is critical for describing reaction rates accurately in chemistry.

Examples & Analogies

This can be likened to calculating how much time one needs to assemble parts in a factory - k represents the assembly line's efficiency. Just like you need to know how many parts you can produce based on the speed of workers and their arrangements, chemists must determine k to understand how the reaction's speed is influenced by concentrations.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Rate Expression: A formula representing how reactant concentrations influence the reaction rate.

  • Rate Constant (k): The specific constant that quantifies a reaction's speed based on its conditions.

  • Order of Reaction: Reflects how the reaction rate responds to changes in reactant concentrations.

  • Activation Energy (Ea): The energy threshold that must be exceeded for a reaction to proceed.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • A reaction where doubling concentration A leads to double the rate indicates first-order kinetics concerning A.

  • When the rate quadruples upon doubling concentration B, B is second-order in the reaction.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎡 Rhymes Time

  • When the rate doubles, and the A's on the feed, It's first-order we see, in kinetic speed!

πŸ“– Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a race where runners must collide to win; only those moving fast and in sync can spin! The faster they go, the quicker the rate, just like our molecules don't want to be late.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Order of Reaction: For A, think 'All', for B, 'Better' as the rate grows, to structure them as: 'AB = A is first, B is better'.

🎯 Super Acronyms

R.O.A = Rate's Orders Always point to how the reaction speed is swayed by the reagent's lead!

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Rate Expression

    Definition:

    A mathematical relationship that describes how the rate of a reaction depends on the concentrations of the reactants.

  • Term: Rate Constant (k)

    Definition:

    A proportionality constant in the rate expression that reflects the intrinsic efficiency of effective collisions for a specific reaction.

  • Term: Order of Reaction

    Definition:

    An exponent in the rate expression that indicates the sensitivity of the reaction rate to the concentration of a reactant.

  • Term: Activation Energy (Ea)

    Definition:

    The minimum energy that colliding reactant particles must possess for a reaction to occur.

  • Term: Collision Theory

    Definition:

    A theory that describes how chemical reactions occur when particles collide with enough energy and proper orientation.