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Topic: kinetics  (Read 3269 times)

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Offline neon flash!

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kinetics
« on: January 15, 2012, 07:45:11 AM »
need help with the following question:
1) determine the units of k if rate = k [A]^1/2 [ B]
the overall order of reaction is 1/2 +1 = 3/2
my lecurer said something about the units being M^(n-1) s-1 where n is the overall order of reaction.
which would make the units of k M^1/2 s-1
but elsewhere in my notes i've got written M^-1/2 s-1

so i'm not sure if the fomula is M^-(n-1) s-1 or M^(n-1) s-1

is anyone able to confirm if either of these are correct? if so which one?
« Last Edit: January 15, 2012, 08:16:39 AM by Borek »

Offline juanrga

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Re: kinetics
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2012, 11:17:09 AM »
need help with the following question:
1) determine the units of k if rate = k [A]^1/2 [ B]
the overall order of reaction is 1/2 +1 = 3/2
my lecurer said something about the units being M^(n-1) s-1 where n is the overall order of reaction.
which would make the units of k M^1/2 s-1
but elsewhere in my notes i've got written M^-1/2 s-1

so i'm not sure if the fomula is M^-(n-1) s-1 or M^(n-1) s-1

is anyone able to confirm if either of these are correct? if so which one?


Forget the right-hand side (k [A]^1/2 [ B]) and write the definition for the "rate" of any reaction. What do you think are the units of the definition?
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Offline neon flash!

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Re: kinetics
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2012, 12:32:24 PM »
M s-1

Offline juanrga

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Re: kinetics
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2012, 04:08:35 PM »
M s-1

Right, now use the equation: rate = k [A]1/2 [ B]

M s-1 = k M1/2 M

From here you can obtain the units of k directly for this specific case.

Or if you prefer, you can solve your question about what is the formula for the overall order n for any case

M s-1 = k Mn

is is M-(n-1) s-1 or M(n-1) s-1?

My general advice is that instead of remembering formulae, it is best if you can derive the formulae when you need to use it  ;D.
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Offline neon flash!

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Re: kinetics
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2012, 06:05:00 PM »
(1-n)

!?

thxanks! :-]

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