Question 34 of 37advanced🔧 ApplyNumerical3 marks

The rate constant for the first order decomposition of H2_2O2_2 is given by the following equation:

log⁡k=14.34−1.25×104K/T\log k = 14.34 - 1.25 \times 10^4 K/T

Calculate EaE_a for this reaction and at what temperature will its half-period be 256 minutes?

Correct Answer

Activation energy EaE_a is 239.3 kJ mol−1^{-1} and the temperature TT is 669 K.

Exercise: EXERCISES | Q: 3.27 | (Page 28)
For More Understanding

Explanation

To find the activation energy, we compare the given equation with the logarithmic form of the Arrhenius equation provided in the context. The slope term allows us to solve for EaE_a using the gas constant RR. For the second part, the rate constant kk is derived from the given half-life using the first-order kinetics formula, and this value is substituted back into the logarithmic equation to solve for temperature TT.

Solution Steps

  1. Step 1: Calculate Activation Energy (EaE_a) The given equation is log⁡k=14.34−1.25×104KT\log k = 14.34 - \frac{1.25 \times 10^4 K}{T}. Comparing this with the Arrhenius equation form log⁡k=log⁡A−Ea2.303RT\log k = \log A - \frac{E_a}{2.303RT}, we equate the slope terms: Ea2.303R=1.25×104K\frac{E_a}{2.303R} = 1.25 \times 10^4 K. Using R=8.314 J K−1 mol−1R = 8.314 \text{ J K}^{-1} \text{ mol}^{-1} (from Example 3.9 context),

    Ea=1.25×104×2.303×8.314E_a = 1.25 \times 10^4 \times 2.303 \times 8.314

    Ea=239339.77 J mol−1≈239.3 kJ mol−1E_a = 239339.77 \text{ J mol}^{-1} \approx 239.3 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}.

  2. Step 2: Calculate Rate Constant (kk) Given half-period (t1/2t_{1/2}) = 256 minutes = 256×60=15360256 \times 60 = 15360 s. For a first-order reaction, k=0.693t1/2k = \frac{0.693}{t_{1/2}}. k=0.69315360=4.51×10−5 s−1k = \frac{0.693}{15360} = 4.51 \times 10^{-5} \text{ s}^{-1}.

  3. Step 3: Calculate Temperature (TT) Substitute the value of kk into the given equation:

    log⁡(4.51×10−5)=14.34−1.25×104T\log(4.51 \times 10^{-5}) = 14.34 - \frac{1.25 \times 10^4}{T} −4.345=14.34−12500T-4.345 = 14.34 - \frac{12500}{T} 12500T=14.34+4.345=18.685\frac{12500}{T} = 14.34 + 4.345 = 18.685

    T=1250018.685=668.9 K≈669 KT = \frac{12500}{18.685} = 668.9 \text{ K} \approx 669 \text{ K}.