TOPIC 11: KINETICS
1 The order of reaction with respect to a reactant can be determined from certain graphs.
In each of the following cases, state the graph that must be plotted to give a straight line from
which the order of reaction can be determined.
(a) Zero order with respect to Reactant A (2)
Graph:
Line:
(b) First order with respect to Reactant A (2)
Graph:
Line:
(c) Second order with respect to Reactant A (2)
Graph:
Line:
(Total for Question 1 = 6 marks)
2 Most chemical reactions involve two or more steps. The experimentally determined rate equation
often indicates which molecules are involved in the rate-determining step of the mechanism for
the reaction.
(a) State what is meant by the term rate-determining step. (1)
(b) Hydrogen reacts with iodine monochloride as shown by the equation:
H2(g) + 2ICl(g) 2HCl(g) + I2(g)
The rate equation for this reaction is:
Rate = k [H2(g)] [ICl(g)], where k is the rate constant
(i) Suggest an equation for the rate-determining step in this reaction. (2)
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(ii) Suggest an equation for a second step in this reaction. (2)
(Total for Question 2 = 5 marks)
3 The reaction A + B + C products is investigated by a series of experiments. The table shows
the results obtained.
Initial concentrations / mol dm‒3 Initial rate /
[A] [B] [C] mol dm‒3 s‒1
0.1 0.1 0.1 6.20 × 10‒4
0.1 0.2 0.1 6.20 × 10‒4
0.1 0.1 0.2 2.48 × 10‒3
0.2 0.1 0.1 1.24 × 10‒3
(a) Deduce the order of reaction with respect to each reactant. (3)
Order with respect to A:
Order with respect to B:
Order with respect to C:
(b) Write the rate equation for this reaction. (1)
(c) State which reactant is unlikely to be involved in the rate-determining step. (1)
(Total for Question 3 = 5 marks)
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4 The rate constant for the reaction between bromoethane and hydroxide ions is determined at
five different temperatures. The table shows the results.
Temperature (T) 1/Temperature (1/T)
Rate constant (k) ln k
/K / K‒1
293 3.41 × 10‒3 5.83 × 10‒5 ‒ 9.75
303 3.30 × 10‒3 1.67 × 10‒4 ‒ 8.70
‒3 ‒4
313 3.19 × 10 5.26 × 10 ‒ 7.55
‒3 ‒3
323 3.10 × 10 1.36 × 10 ‒ 6.60
‒3
333 3.77 × 10
(a) Complete the table by inserting the missing values. (2)
Ea
(b) Given the equation: ln k = + ln A
RT
explain how, using a graphical method, you could determine the activation energy for this
reaction. (2)
(Total for Question 4 = 4 marks)
TOTAL FOR ASSESSMENT = 20 MARKS
© Pearson Education Ltd 2019. Copying permitted for purchasing institution only. This material is not copyright free. This
document may have been altered from the original.