Questions

1. In this experiment the order of reaction x and y are obtained by taking ratios of rate for two
trials or experiments.
a) Explain how this experiment can be modified so that the order of reaction can be
obtained by plotting appropriate graphs.

The graph can be applied for second order of reaction. The vertical axis (x-axis) is
concentration [A] while horizontal axis (y-axis) is time (t) gives a curve line.

b) What plots must be done and explain how the orders of reaction can be determined
from the plots?

The data from the table are plotted separately to indicate the concentration and time.
Compare the graph with those “Properties of Reactions That Obey Zeroth-, First-,and
Second-Order Rate Laws”, to determine the order of reaction. Use rate law for the
reaction by using appropriate data and gradient from the graph to obtained rate
constant.

c) Would this method (graphically) be more accurate than what has been done
experimentally?

Yes. It is because plotting the concentration as a function of time produces a graph with
specific characteristic that can shows the order.

2. Orders of reaction are normally integers. Is it possible to have non-integers e.g fractions as
order of reaction? If yes, give an example of such reaction.

Yes there are reaction in fraction reactions, the order is non-integer which often indicates a
chemical chain reaction or other complex reaction mechanism. For example, the pyrolysis of
ethanol (CH3CHO) into methane and carbon monoxide proceeds with an order 1.5 with
respect to ethanol: r= k[CH3CHO]3/2.[13]. The decomposition of phosgene (COCL2) to
carbon monoxide and chlorine has order 1 with respect to phosgene itself and order 0.5 with
respect to chlorine: r=k[COCL2][CL2]1/2.