\(2N_2O_5 (g) \longrightarrow 2N_2O_4 (g) + O_2\) is a 1st order reaction. It occurs at constant volume. Calculate the rate constant if total pressure is \(0.8\, \ atm\) initially and total pressure is \(1\, \ atm\) after \(100\, \ s\)
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is option 3. \(6.9 \times 10^{-3}\, \ s^{-1}\).
To solve this problem, we need to use the relationship between the rate constant \( k \) for a first-order reaction and the change in total pressure over time.
Given,
Initial total pressure, \( P_{\text{initial}} = 0.8 \, \text{atm} \)
Total pressure after \( t = 100 \, \text{s} \), \( P_{\text{final}} = 1 \, \text{atm} \)
The reaction is: \( 2N_2O_5(g) \longrightarrow 2N_2O_4(g) + O_2(g) \)
For the given reaction, the change in the number of moles of gas is:
\(\Delta n = (2 + 1) - 2 = 1 \text{ mole of gas} \)
If \( x \) is the extent of reaction (i.e., the amount of \( N_2O_5 \) decomposed), the total pressure can be expressed as:
Initially, the pressure due to \( N_2O_5 \) alone is \( P_{\text{initial}} \).
As the reaction proceeds, the pressure changes due to the formation of \( N_2O_4 \) and \( O_2 \).
The total pressure after the reaction has occurred for time \( t \) is:
\(P_{\text{final}} = P_{\text{initial}} + x \)
Given:
Initially, \( P_{\text{total}} = 0.8 \, \text{atm} \)
After \( 100 \, \text{s} \), \( P_{\text{total}} = 1 \, \text{atm} \)
Thus, the change in pressure due to the reaction \( x = 1 \, \text{atm} - 0.8 \, \text{atm} = 0.2 \, \text{atm} \).
For a first-order reaction, the rate constant \( k \) can be calculated using the formula:
\( k = \frac{2.303}{t} \log\left(\frac{P_{\text{final}} - P_{\text{initial}} + P_{\text{initial}}}{P_{\text{initial}}}\right) \)
Substituting the values:
\(k = \frac{2.303}{100 \, \text{s}} \log\left(\frac{1 \, \text{atm} - 0.2 \, \text{atm} + 0.8 \, \text{atm}}{0.8 \, \text{atm}}\right) \)
\(k = \frac{2.303}{100} \log\left(\frac{1.6 \, \text{atm}}{0.8 \, \text{atm}}\right) \)
\( k = \frac{2.303}{100} \log(2) \)
We know that:
\( \log(2) \approx 0.3010 \)
So:
\( k = \frac{2.303 \times 0.3010}{100} \)
\(k \approx \frac{0.693}{100} \, \text{s}^{-1} \)
\(k \approx 6.93 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{s}^{-1} \)
Thus, the correct answer is option 3: \( 6.9 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{s}^{-1} \).