A biochemist studying the breakdown in soil of the insecticide DDT finds that it decays by a first order reaction with a half-life of 12.0 years. What is the rate constant, k , for this first order process?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rate constant, k, for a first-order reaction is calculated using the formula $k = \frac{0.693}{t_{1/2}}$, where $t_{1/2}$ is the half-life of the reaction. Substituting $t_{1/2} = 12.0$ years gives $k = \frac{0.693}{12.0} = 0.05775$ yr$^{-1}$, which rounds to 0.0578 yr$^{-1}$.

A Biochemist Studying the Breakdown in Soil of the Insecticide