Application Question

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To determine the rate law equation and the value of K, we need to use the method of initial rates.

The rate law


equation can be written as:

Rate = k[NO]^a[H2]^b

where a and b are the orders of the reaction with respect to NO and H2, respectively, and k is the rate constant.

Experiment 1 and 2:
Initial rate (exp. 1) / Initial rate (exp. 2) = (0.20 M/s) / (0.80 M/s) = 0.25

This shows that when the concentration of NO is doubled (from 0.1 M to 0.2 M), the rate increases by a factor
of 4 (from 0.20 M/s to 0.80 M/s). Therefore, the reaction is second-order with respect to NO.

Experiment 2 and 3:
Initial rate (exp. 2) / Initial rate (exp. 3) = (0.80 M/s) / (1.80 M/s) = 0.44

This shows that when the concentration of H2 is kept constant (at 0.4 M) and the concentration of NO is
tripled (from 0.2 M to 0.6 M), the rate increases by a factor of approximately 2 (from 0.80 M/s to 1.80 M/s).
Therefore, the reaction is first-order with respect to H2.

Now that we know the orders of the reaction, we can write the rate law equation as:

Rate = k[NO]^2[H2]

Using the data from any one experiment, we can determine the value of k:

Experiment 1:
Rate = k[NO]^2[H2]
0.20 M/s = k(0.10 M)^2(0.40 M)
k = 5.0 L/(mol*s)

Therefore, the rate law equation for the reaction is Rate = 5.0[NO]^2[H2], where the rate constant, k, is equal
to 5.0 L/(mol*s).

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