 How does n(I2) (or [I2]) vary with time ?

The curve shows that the number of moles of I2 formed (or the concentration) increases quickly
at the beginning, then slowly, to reach a constant value which corresponds to the end of the
reaction and is determined by the limiting reactant.

Q: How do we calculate the maximum concentration of I2 reached ?

A: Acc. to the S.R and since H2O2 is limiting :
𝑛(𝐼2 )𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑛(𝐻2 𝑂2 )𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑
=
1 1
𝑛(𝐼2 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑛(𝐻2 𝑂2 )𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙
=
1 1
𝑛(𝐼2 )∞ 𝑛(𝐻2 𝑂2 )0
=
1 1
𝑛(𝐼2 )∞ = 4.5 x 10-3 mol
𝑛(𝐼2 )∞ 4.5×10−3
[𝐼2 ]∞ = = = 20.9 mmol.L-1
𝑉𝑠𝑜𝑙(𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙) 215×10−3

C- Curves of disappearance of H2O2 as a function of time :

In the same way, we can draw the curve representing n(H2O2) = g(t) or [H2O2] = g(t).

Curve n(H2O2) = g(t) Curve [H2O2] = g(t)

 How does n(H2O2) (or [H2O2]) vary with time ?
The curve shows that the number of moles of H2O2 (or the concentration) starts high and
decreases gradually with time. It reaches a constant value, which is equal to zero because H2O2 is
the limiting reactant.
D- How does the rate of the reaction vary with time ?
Whether it is the rate of formation of a product or the rate disappearance of a reactant, the rate is
always : high at the beginning, and decreases with time to become zero at the end of the reaction.
We prove this graphically :
for example :
1- Write the definition of the studied rate.
2- Draw on the curve 2 tangents at 2 different
times.
3- “The slope of tangent 1 is greater than the
slope of tangent 2, therefore the rate of formation
of I2 decreases with time”.
Note : If the curve is descending, we should say :
“ the negative slope of tangent 1 is greater than
the negative slope of tangent 2.

4- The half-life of a reaction :

The half-life t½ of a reaction is defined depending on the studied graph.
 Descending curve :
“The half-life of a reaction t½ is the time required for the concentration of the limiting reactant
to decrease to one-half of its initial value.”
[𝑅]0
[R]t½ = 2

for example :
[𝐻2 𝑂2 ]0 20.9
[H2O2]t½ = = = 10.45 𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑙.L-1
2 2
According to the graph, t½ = … min
  Ascending curve :
“The half-life of a reaction t½ is the time required for the concentration of the product to reach
one-half of its final value.”
[𝑃]∞
[P]t½ = 2

for example :
[𝐼2 ]∞ 20.9
[I2]t½ = = = 10.45 𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑙.L-1
2 2
According to the graph, t½ = … min

Q: Consider a reaction 1 having a half-life time t½ and a reaction 2 having a half-life time t’½ ,
with t½ > t’½. Which reaction is faster ?
A: the reaction 2 is faster since t’½ < t½ , then this reaction reaches half the way in less time than
reaction 1.