Chlorine dioxide reacts in basic water to form chlorite and chlorate according to the following chemical equation: 2ClO₂(aq) + 2OH^-(aq) $\rarr$ ClO₂^-(aq) + ClO₃^-(aq) + H₂O(l)
Under a certain set of conditions, the initial rate of disappearance of chlorine dioxide was determined to be 2.30 * 10^-1 M/s. What is the initial rate of appearance of chlorite ion under those same conditions?

Question

Chlorine dioxide reacts in basic water to form chlorite and chlorate according to the following chemical equation: 2ClO₂(aq) + 2OH^-(aq)

\rarr

ClO₂^-(aq) + ClO₃^-(aq) + H₂O(l)
Under a certain set of conditions, the initial rate of disappearance of chlorine dioxide was determined to be 2.30 * 10^-1 M/s. What is the initial rate of appearance of chlorite ion under those same conditions?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the balanced chemical equation, for every two moles of chlorine dioxide reacted, one mole of chlorite ion is produced. Therefore, the initial rate of appearance of chlorite ion is half the initial rate of disappearance of chlorine dioxide. Thus,

Initial rate of appearance of chlorite ion = 2.30 x 10^-10 M/s / 2 = 1.15 x 10^-10 M/s

Therefore, the best choice is B.

Chlorine Dioxide Reacts in Basic Water to Form Chlorite and Chlorate