A first-order reaction requires 6.96 months for the concentration of reactant \(A\) to be reduced to \(25\%\) of its original value. The half-life of the reaction is:
(Given: \(log 2 = 0.3010\))
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is option 2. 3.48 months.
Given,
\(t_{75\%} = 6.96\, \ months\)
For a first-order reaction,
\(k = \frac{2.303}{t}log\frac{a}{a - x}\)
Since the reactant is reduced to \(25\%\), hence the reaction is \(75\%\) complete
Let the assume the amount of the initial reaction, \(a = 100\)
After \(75\%\) completion, \(a - x = 100 - 75 = 25\)
Thus, applying all the values, we get
\(k = \frac{2.303}{t_{75\%}}log\frac{100}{25}\)
or, \(k = \frac{2.303}{6.96}log\frac{100}{25}\)
or, \(k = \frac{2.303}{6.96} log 4\)
or, \(k = 0.331 × 0.602\)
or, \(k = 0.19922\)
The half-life of a first-order reaction is given by
\(t_{1/2} = \frac{0.693}{k}\)
or, \(t_{1/2} = \frac{0.693}{0.19922}\)
or, \(t_{1/2} = 3.478\)
or, \(t_{1/2} \approx 3.48\, \ months\)