Course Title: General Chemistry 2

Course Description: General Chemistry 2 Lecture and Laboratory

2nd Quarter Modular Learning Guide # 1

Expected Time Completion: 20 hours

Topic: FORCES OF ATTRACTION, HEAT, AND RATE OF REACTIONS

(Continuation…..)
A. Learning Outcomes
By the end of the lesson, the learner is expected to:
Chapter 4 (Slow and Fast Reactions)
1. Describe how various factors influence the rate of a reaction
2. Write the mathematical relationship between the rate of a reaction, rate constant, and
concentration of the reactants
3. Differentiate zero-, first-, and second-order reactions
4. Write the rate law for the zero-, first-, and second-order reactions
5. Discuss the effect of reactant concentration on the half-life of a reaction
6. Explain the effect of temperature on the rate of a reaction
7. Explain reactions qualitatively in terms of molecular collisions
8. Explain activation energy and how a catalyst affects reaction rate
9. Cite and differentiate the types of catalysts

B. Learning Contents

A Closer Look

A self- cleaning glass is coated with a layer of

material that can keep away dirt. This type of glass
is commercially available and is used in buildings,
homes and automobiles. The self-cleaning property
of the material applies the principle of
photocatalysis.
A self-cleaning glass uses two types of
coatings—hydrophobic and hydrophilic. A
hydrophobic coating contains water-repellant
chemicals, such as waxes, that allow water
droplets to roll down the glass in the event of rain,
carrying dirt with them.
The hydrophilic coating, in contrast, allows
water to form a thin sheet on the surface of the
glass, producing a continuous streak. It consists of
titanium dioxide that works in two ways to remove
dirt and grime. It acts as a catalyst in the presence of sunlight (or UV) to increase the rate of
decomposition of any organic dirt that sticks on the surface of the glass. Titanium dioxide also
renders the surface super hydrophilic that makes water form a continuous sheet that washes
away dirt.

Chapter 4: Slow and Fast Reactions

Lesson 1: Rate of a Reaction

Chemical kinetics is the study of the rate of chemical reactions, including the
mechanism by which a reaction occurs and the different factors that affect it.

Many chemical reactions occur spontaneously at a fast rate. The combustion of

gasoline with oxygen is easily initiated under favorable conditions. The reaction between
1
vinegar and baking soda happens instantly with accompanying bubble formation. Some
reactions, however, take time to happen. The rusting of iron does not happen instantaneously.
The green patina (film) on copper that gives the metal its antique look takes a long time to
form.

The rate of a reaction can be defined as the change in the concentration of a reactant
or product per change in time. The concentration of a reactant or product is represented in
square brackets [ ]. For a hypothetical chemical equation

aA + bB  cC + dD

the rate of a reaction can be expressed as

1 ∆[𝐴] 1 ∆ [𝐵 ] 1 ∆[𝐶] 1 ∆[𝐷]

rate= − 𝑎 ( ) = −𝑏( ) = 𝑐( ) = 𝑑( )
∆𝑡 ∆𝑡 ∆𝑡 ∆𝑡

By convention, a negative sign is attached on the change in the concentration of the

reactants, which underscores the fact that the concentration of the reactants decreases as
the reaction proceeds. This convention maintains the positive sign for the rate.

Consider the balanced equation for the decomposition of the colorless gas dinitrogen
pentoxide (N2O5) into the brown Nitrogen dioxide gas and oxygen gas.

2N2O5(g)  4NO2(g) + O2(g)

The rate of this reaction may be expressed in terms of the change in concentration of
N2O5, NO2, or O2 as

1 ∆[𝑁2 𝑂5 ] 1 ∆[𝑁𝑂2 ] ∆[𝑂2]

rate= − 2 ( ) = 4( )=( )
∆𝑡 ∆𝑡 ∆𝑡

The rate expression shows the relative

speed at which the concentration of one species
changes with respect to that of another species.
In the example, the rate expression indicates that
the formation of NO2 is twice as fast as the
decomposition of N2O5 and four times as fast as
the formation of O2.

If a reaction is monitored as it proceeds, a

plot of the concentration of a reactant versus
time can be generated. The graph will give a
curve with a negative slope as shown in the
picture at the right. The slope changes at every
point of the graph, defining the instantaneous
rate of reaction at each unique point in time.

Sample Problem:

Hydrogen peroxide (agua oxygenada, H2O2) is a colorless liquid used as disinfectant and
bleach. At high temperatures, it decomposes easily into water and oxygen.
2H2O2(aq) ↔ 2H2O(l) + O2(g)
Write the equation for the rate of reaction based on the concentration of the reactants and
products.
Solution:
1 ∆[𝐻 𝑂 ] 1 ∆[𝐻 𝑂] ∆[𝑂 ]
rate= − ( 2 2 ) = ( 2 ) = ( 2 )
2 ∆𝑡 2 ∆𝑡 ∆𝑡

2
Lesson 2: Rate Law for a Reaction

The rate law is a mathematical expression that shows how the rate of reaction depends
on the concentration of the reactants. Consider a simple hypothetical reaction involving only
one reactant.
A  products

The rate law for this reaction is expressed as

rate= k[A]x

where k is the rate constant, and the power of x is the order of the reaction with respect
to reactant A. The rate of a reaction is expressed in molar per second (M/s). The unit of the
rate constant varies depending on the rate law expression. The order of the reaction dictates
how the rate responds to variations in the concentration of the reactant.

Order of a Reaction

A zero-order reaction (x=0) has a constant rate that is equal to its rate constant
regardless of changes in the concentration of the reactant.

rate=k[A]0=k

In a first-order reaction (x=1), the rate doubles when the concentration of a reactant is
doubled. A quadruple increase in reactant concentration means an increase of four times
the original rate. In general, the rate increases in the order as the concentration of the
reactant.

rate= k[A]1= k[A]

For a second-order reaction (x=2), increasing the reactant concentration to twice as

much quadruples the original reaction rate. A triple increase in concentration means a
ninefold increase in reaction rate.

rate=k[A]2

Rate Laws for Different Reaction Orders Based on the Reaction A products
Reaction Order Rate Law Units of k
Zero rate=k[A] =k
0 M.s-1
First rate= k[A]1= k[A] s-1
Second rate=k[A]2 M-1.s-1
Third rate=k[A][B]2 M-2.s-1

Determining the Order of a Reaction: Method of Initial Rates

The rate law for a reaction can be experimentally determined through the method of
initial rates. The technique determines how the rate is affected by concentration by
comparing the initial rates of a reaction at different initial concentrations of reactants. To
illustrate this, consider the hypothetical reaction

A + BC

3
 Obtained from three separate experiments, the following data table shows the initial
concentrations of reactants A and B and their reaction rates.

Experiment Initial [A] Initial [B] Initial Rate of

(M) (M) Reaction (M/s)
I 0.012 0.0034 1.4 x 10-3
II 0.024 0.0034 2.8 x 10-3
III 0.012 0.0068 5.6 x 10-3

To determine the order of the reaction (x) with respect to reactant A, one must choose
two experiments wherein the concentrations of reactant B are the same. This underscores the
principle that the initial rate of the reaction will not be affected by reactant B and will change
only with respect to reactant A. In the given example, experiments I and II are the suitable
choices. As observed, the initial rate increased two times as the concentration of A was
doubled. As explained earlier, this type of relationship indicates a first-order reaction with
respect to reactant A. Mathematically, the order can be determined using two rate laws:
𝑦
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒2 𝑘[𝐴]𝑥
2 [𝐵]2
= 𝑦
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒1 𝑘[𝐴]𝑥
1 [𝐵]1

Since reactant B should have the same concentration, the equation summarizes into

𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒2 [𝐴] x
= ([𝐴]2 )
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒1 1

Applying the equation for reactant A in experiments I and II,

𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝐼𝐼 [𝐴] x
= ( [𝐴]𝐼𝐼 )
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝐼 𝐼

2.8 𝑥 10−3 𝑀/𝑠 0.024 𝑀 x

= (0.012 𝑀)
1.4 𝑥 10−3 𝑀/𝑠

2=2𝑥
x=1 (first-order equation with respect to A)

The same method is applied to determine the order with respect to reactant B. In
experiments I and Ill, the initial concentrations of reactant A are the same and thus will not
contribute to the change in the initial reaction rate. From the data, the initial rate increased
four times as the concentration of reactant B was doubled. Setting up the ratio of the two rate
equations and solving for x,

𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝐼𝐼𝐼 [𝐵] x
= ( [𝐵]𝐼𝐼𝐼 )
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝐼 𝐼

5.6 𝑥 10−3 𝑀/𝑠 0.0068 𝑀 x

= (0.𝑂𝑂34 𝑀)
1.4 𝑥 10−3 𝑀/𝑠

4=2𝑥
x=2 (second-order reaction with respect to B)

The rate law for the hypothetical reaction

A + B  C
Is therefore written as

rate= k[A][B]2

Note that the reaction is third-order overall. The rate constant (k) can be calculated
from the rate law of any of the experiment runs. Using experiment I, k is calculated as
4
 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝐼 = 𝑘[𝐴]𝐼 [𝐵]2𝐼

𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 1.4 𝑥 10−3 𝑀/𝑠

𝑘 = [𝐴] [𝐵]𝐼 2 =
𝐼 𝐼 (0,012 𝑀)(0.0034 𝑀)2
= 1.0 𝑥 10 /𝑀 . 𝑠 4 2

Sample Problem:

Chloroform (CHCl 3) is a known anesthetic. It is also used to produce the refrigerant

carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) according to the reaction

CHCl 3(g) + Cl2(g)  CCl4(g) + HCl (g)

Several experiments obtained the following data:

Experiment Initial [CHCl3] Initial [Cl2] Initial Rate of

(M) (M) Reaction (M/s)
I 0.0011 0.014 2.60 x 10-4
II 0.0011 0.028 5.20 x 10-4
III 0.0022 0.028 2.08 x 10-3
IV 0.0022 0.014 1.04 x 10-3

Write the rate law expression for the reaction. Calculate the rate constant.

Solution:

To determine the order of the reaction with respect to CHCl 3, experiments II and Ill will
be used since the concentration of Cl 2 is constant in these two runs. Based on the results, as
the concentration of CHCl 3 is doubled, the rate increases four times. This indicates that the
rate is second-order with respect to CHCl 3. To show the mathematical solution,
𝑦
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝑘[𝐶𝐻𝐶𝑙3 ]𝑥
𝐼𝐼𝐼 [𝐶𝑙2 ]𝐼𝐼𝐼
= 𝑦
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝐼𝐼 𝑘[𝐶𝐻𝐶𝑙3 ]𝑥
𝐼𝐼 [𝐶𝑙2 ]𝐼𝐼

Since [Cl 2]III= [Cl2]II ,

𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝐼𝐼𝐼 [𝐶𝐻𝐶𝑙3]𝐼𝐼𝐼 x
=( )
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝐼𝐼 [𝐶𝐻𝐶𝑙3 ]𝐼𝐼

2.08 𝑥 10−3 𝑀/𝑠 0.0022 𝑀 x

=( )
5.20 𝑥 10−4 𝑀/𝑠 0.𝑂𝑂11 𝑀

Applying the principle of logarithm,

2.08 𝑥 10−3 𝑀/𝑠 0.0022 𝑀

log( 5.20 𝑥 10−4 𝑀/𝑠 = 𝑥 𝑙𝑜𝑔 (0.𝑂𝑂11 𝑀)

2.08 𝑥 10−3 𝑀/𝑠

log( )
5.20 𝑥 10−4 𝑀/𝑠 0.60
𝑥= 0.0022 𝑀 = =2
log( ) 0.30
0.0011 𝑀

To find the order with respect to Cl2, take experiments I and II with similar concentrations
Of CHCl3. When the concentration of Cl2 is doubled, the rate also doubles, indicating that the
rate is first-order with respect to Cl2. Thus, the rate law expression for the reaction can be written
as
rate= k[CHCl3]2[Cl2]

5
 The reaction is third-order overall. Using the data from experiment I, the rate constant is

𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒
𝑘 = [𝐶𝐻𝐶𝑙 2
3 ] [𝐶𝑙]2

= 1.5 x 104 / M 2 ∙s

Alternatively, experiments I and IV can also be used to determine the order with respect
to CHCl3 and experiments Ill and IV for the rate order with respect to Cl2. Both methods should
give the same results.

Lesson 3: Integrated Rate Law

In chemical industries, it is important to determine the time it takes for an amount of

chemical to be consumed, or the remaining amount of reactant (expressed as
concentration) that would be left after a certain period of reaction time. An integrated rate
law, which relates these two variables, is derived from the rate law expression for the
reactions. However, the derivation involves calculus and will no longer be discussed in this
text. Suffice to say that the result is a linear equation (in the form y= mx + b) that relates
concentration and time, and which can be used for easier calculation of different variables
of interest.

Zero-Order Reactions

For zero-order reactions (x=0), the rate is independent of

the concentration of the reactant. It remains constant
throughout the course of the reaction and is equal to the rate
constant. Hence, the graph of concentration versus time gives
a linear relationship where [A]0 is the initial concentration of the
reactant and [A] is the concentration at any time (t).

rate= k[A]0=k
[A]= -kt + [A]0

The concentration of the reactant at any given time of the reaction can be obtained
using the equation. Moreover, the time it takes to consume a given amount of a reactant
can also be determined. The half-life (t1/2) of a reaction is the time it takes for an initial amount
of a reactant to be reduced to half. For a zero-order reaction, it is given by

[𝐴]0
t1/2 =
2𝑘

As shown, the half-life depends on the initial concentration and the rate constant of a zero-
order reaction.

Sample Problem:

The decomposition of ammonia on a tungsten (W) surface is zero-order and has a rate
constant 0f 0.75 M/s at 25℃.
w
2NH3(g)  N2(g) + 3H2(g)

a. How long (in seconds) will it take for the concentration of NH 3 to decrease from 0.12 M
to 0.040 M?
b. What is the half-life of the reaction if the initial concentration of NH3 is 0.065 M?

6
 Solution:
a. Manipulating the integrated rate law of zero-order reactions and substituting values,

[A]=-kt + [A]0
[𝐴] −[𝐴]
t= 0𝑘
0.12 𝑀−0.040 𝑀
= 0.75 𝑀/𝑠
= 0.11 s

b. Using the same equation to find the half-life of the reaction ([NH3]= 0.0325 M)

0.065 𝑀 − 0.0325 𝑀
𝑡=
0.75 𝑀/𝑠

= 0.04 s

First-Order Reactions

The integrated rate law for a first-order reaction gives a linear equation.

A products
ln[A]= -kt + ln[A]0

The natural logarithm (ln) of the concentration plotted against time gives a linear graph with
a slope equal to the negative of the rate constant.

(a) The graph of [A] versus time for a first-order reaction gives a curve, while (b) ln[A] versus
time gives a straight line.

The equation for the half-life of a first-order reaction can be derived from its integrated
rate law equation and takes the form

0.693
𝑡1/2 = 𝑘

The equation shows that the half-life depends only on the rate constant. The initial
concentration of the reactant does not affect its half-life.

7
The amount of a substance with a half-life of 24 minutes is reduced by half every 24 minutes.

Sample Problem:

Sucrose (C12H22O11) inversion is the process by which the substance is converted into either
glucose or fructose (both have the formula C5H12O6). The process results in optical inversion
(mirror image of structures). The reaction follows a first-order kinetics with a rate constant of
3.6 x 10-3/s .

C12H22O11(aq) + H2O(l)  2C6H12O6(aq)

If a 0.15 M C6H12O6 solution would undergo inversion at 25 ℃, what is its concentration

after 2.0 minutes? What is the half-life of the reaction?

Solution:
To determine the amount of C6H12O6 after 2.0 minutes, substitute the values to the first-
order integrated rate law.

ln[A]= -kt + ln[A]0

ln[C6H12O6]= -kt + ln[C6H12O6]0
= - (3.6 x 10-3/s)(2.0 min x 60 s/min)+ ln(0.15 M)
= -2.33
[C6H12O6] = e(-2.33)= 0.097 M

For the half-life:

0.693 0.693
t1/2= = 3.6 𝑥 10−3 𝑠 = 192 𝑠
𝑘

8
Second-Order Reactions

Based on the rate law expression for a second-order reaction

rate= k[A]2
the integrated rate law equation shows a linear relationship between the reciprocal of the
reactant concentration and time.

1 1
= 𝑘𝑡 +
[𝐴] [𝐴]0

For a second-order reaction, the graph of the inverse of the reactant concentration with
time gives a straight line.

The half-life for a second-order reaction can also be derived from the integrated rate
law and is expressed as an equation showing dependence on both rate constant and initial
concentration.

1
t1/2= 𝑘[𝐴]
0

Sample Problem:

The isomerization of ammonium cyanate (NH4CNO) to urea follows the second-order kinetics
with a rate constant of 9.9 x 10-4 / M∙s at 25 ℃.

NH4CNO(aq)  H2NCONH2(aq)

From an initial concentration of 0.24 M NH4CNO, how much of it (in M) remains after 15.0
minutes? What is the half-life (in minutes) for the reaction?

Solution:
Applying the integrated rate law for a second-order reaction,

1 1
= 𝑘𝑡 +
[𝐴] [𝐴]0

1 60𝑠 1
= (9.9 𝑥 10−4 /𝑀 ∙ 𝑠) (15.0 min 𝑥 )+
[𝐴] 𝑚𝑖𝑛 0.24𝑀
= 5.1/M
[A]= 0.20 M

To calculate the half-life:

1 1
𝑡1/2 = 𝑘[𝐴] = (9.9 𝑥 10−4 / 𝑀∙𝑠) (0.24 𝑀) = 4209 𝑠 ≈ 70 𝑚𝑖𝑛
0

9
Lesson 4: Reaction Mechanism and Molecularity

A reaction mechanism is a sequence of reaction steps that show how the reactants
are converted into products. It consists of two or more elementary steps that sum up to an
overall reaction.

Consider the reaction between nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.

NO2(g) + CO(g)  NO(g) + CO2(g)

The equation seems to be a straightforward reaction between the two reactants, but its
reaction mechanism actually involves two steps.

Step 1: NO2(g) + NO2(g)  NO(g) + NO3(g)

Step 2: NO3(g) + CO(g)  NO2(g) + CO2(g)

As seen from the mechanism, the first step involves a reaction between two nitrogen
dioxide molecules, producing one of the products of the overall reaction—nitric oxide (NO).
The other product—nitrogen trioxide (NO3)--- is called a reaction intermediate, which is a
species that is eventually consumed in the second step of the mechanism. A reaction
intermediate does not appear in the overall reaction. The second step produces the other
product of the overall reaction—carbon dioxide. This step also regenerates one of the
nitrogen dioxide molecules used in the previous step.

Step 1 (slow): NO2(g) + NO2(g)  NO(g) + NO3(g)

Step 2 (fast): NO3(g) + CO(g)  NO2(g) + CO2(g)

Overall reaction: NO2(g) + CO(g)  NO(g) + CO2(g)

In mechanisms involving two or more elementary steps, one of the steps may occur at
a significantly lower rate than the others. This slow reaction limits the rate of the overall
reaction no matter how fast the other steps are; thus it is called the rate-determining step,
which dictates the rate law for the reaction. In the given example, the slow step is the
reaction between two NO2 molecules (Step l), thus the rate law can be written as

rate= k[NO2]2

This means that the reaction is zero-order with respect to CO. It can also be inferred from
the rate law that the reaction is bimolecular in terms of NO2. This principle is called the
molecularity of the reaction, which indicates the number of molecules that are involved in
the rate-determining step. It is also related to the order of the reaction.

Molecularity and Rate Law of a Rate-Determining Step

Elementary step Molecularity Rate Law
A products Unimolecular rate=k[A]
A + A  products Bimolecular rate=k[A]2
or 2A  products
A + B  products Bimolecular rate= k[A][B]
2A + B  products Termolecular rate= k[A]2[B]
A + B + C  products Termolecular rate= k[A][B][C]

10
 Sample Problem:

The thermal decomposition of nitryl chloride (NO2Cl) occurs in a two-step mechanism.

Step 1: NO2Cl (g)  NO2(g) + Cl (g)
Step 2: Cl (g) + NO2Cl (g)  NO2(g) + Cl 2(g)

a. Write the overall reaction. What substance is considered the reaction intermediate?
b. If the first step is a slow reaction, what is the rate law for the mechanism?
c. What is the molecularity of the mechanism based on the rate-determining step?

Solution:
a.
Step 1: NO2Cl (g)  NO2(g) + Cl (g)
Step 2: Cl (g) + NO2Cl (g)  NO2(g) + Cl 2(g)
Overall reaction: 2NO2Cl (g)  2NO2(g) + Cl2(g)

The reaction intermediate is Cl gas.

b. Since step 1 is the rate-determining step, it is the only reaction considered in the rate
law.
rate=k[NO2Cl]

c. The reaction mechanism is unimolecular.

Lesson 5: Models for the Reaction Rate

Aside from reactant concentration, other factors influence the favorability of a
chemical reaction to occur and the rate at which they occur. These include reactant
particle collisions, activation energy, the presence of catalysts, and reaction temperature.
The Collision Theory

For a chemical reaction to occur, there must be contact between the reactants
through collision. This theory can be practically explained using the effect of stirring. The stirring
motion causes the reactant particles to move faster, thereby increasing the probability of
collisions. However, not all particle collisions lead to a successful reaction. It is imperative that
the reactants are in proper orientation during that moment of collision.
The collision theory also explains how reactant concentration affects the rate of a
reaction. The frequency of particle collision will be higher if there are more reactants present
in the system. As the concentration decreases, the probability of reactants colliding with one
another also decreases.
 More (or less) reactants means more (or less) collisions and faster (or slower) rate.

Activation Energy
Aside from colliding with one another, the reactant particles must also have sufficient
energy during collision. They must be able to surpass an energy barrier, called the activation
energy of the transition state(Ea), to successfully form the products. At the transition state,
the reactants form an activated (or transition) complex that eventually forms the product.

11
 Effect of activation energy and orientation on the formation of AB from A2 and B2

Catalysis
Catalysts speed up the rate of a chemical reaction by providing an alternate route for
the reaction to occur with lower activation energy. Catalysts are not consumed in a reaction;
they are used but regenerated during the reaction. Similar to a reaction intermediate, a
catalyst does not appear in the reactants or products side of a chemical equation.

Reactions involving catalysts may be classified as heterogeneous or homogeneous.

Heterogeneous catalysis uses a catalyst that is of a different phase from that of the reactants
and products. As an example, the Haber process for the synthesis of ammonia gas from
nitrogen and hydrogen gases uses a mixture of iron, potassium oxide, and aluminum oxide as
catalyst. The solid surface of the mixture splits the molecules into individual nitrogen and
hydrogen atoms, allowing them to react and form ammonia.
N2(g) + 3H2(g)  2NH3(g)

12
 The industrial preparation of methanol (CH3OH), an alcohol used as solvent and
gasoline additive, uses solid zinc oxide and chromic oxide as catalysts. These catalysts reduce
carbon monoxide to methanol.
CO(g) + 2H2(g)  CH3OH(g)

In homogeneous catalysis, the catalyst is of the same phase as that of the reactants
and products. The two-step oxidation of sulfur dioxide into sulfur trioxide involves nitrogen
dioxide as catalyst, forming nitric oxide as a reaction intermediate.

SO2(g) + NO2(g)  SO3(g) + NO(g)

NO(g) + ½ O2(g)  NO2(g)
SO2(g) + ½ O2(g)  SO3(g)

Another important example of homogeneous catalysis is the depletion of the ozone

layer by nitric oxides. When the ozone (O3) is decomposed to O2, the nitric oxide remains and
causes further reactions.

O3(g) + NO(g)  O2(g) + NO2(g)

O(g) + NO2(g)  O2(g) + NO(g)
O(g) + O3(g)  2O2(g)

Arrhenius Equation: Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate

Some daily activities show the effect of temperature on reaction rate. Foods are kept in
the refrigerator to slow down the inevitable spoilage. Cooking with heat converts the proteins,
amino acids, and sugars in food into an edible and delicious treat.

Increasing the temperature of the reaction system causes the reactant particles to
move faster, thereby increasing the chances of sufficiently energetic and successful collisions.
Furthermore, the increase in energy allows the reactants to reach the activation energy faster.
This relation is expressed as the Arrhenius equation
𝐸𝑎
k= Ae-Ea/RT or ln k= ln A-
𝑅𝑇

where k is the rate constant, A is the reaction frequency factor, Ea is the activation energy, R
is the universal constant equal to 8.314 J/mol∙K, and T is the temperature in Kelvin.

Sample Problem:
A hypothetical reaction has rate constants of 4.14 x 10-5 / M∙s at 552 K and 3.27 x 10-4 / M∙s at
628 K. Calculate the activation energy of the reaction.
Solution:
𝑘 −𝐸𝑎 1 1
ln (𝑘2 = ( )(𝑇 − 𝑇 )
1 𝑅 2 1

3.27 𝑥 10−4 /𝑀∙𝑠 −𝐸𝑎 1 1

ln 4.14 𝑥 10−5 /𝑀∙𝑠
=( 𝐽 )(628𝐾 − 552𝐾)
8.314
𝑚𝑜𝑙∙𝐾

−𝐸𝑎 (−2.19 𝑥 10−4 /𝐾

(2.07)=
(8.314 𝐽/𝑚𝑜𝑙∙𝐾)

Ea= 7.86 x 104 J/mol

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C. Learning Activity (Laboratory Exercises)
(Please refer to the MLO.)

D. Assessment
(Please refer to the MLO.)
.

References:

(Copied from) BAYQUEN, A. V., G. T. PENA AND J. D. A RAMOS. 2016. General Chemistry 2.
Phoenix Publishing House. Pp. 75-102

BAGUIO, SOL SARANAY M., 2017. General Chemistry 2. C and E Publishing, Inc. Quezon City,
Philippines.

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