The reaction between chlorine and nitric oxide to form nitrosyl chloride is shown below.If the reaction rate doubles when the concentration of Cl₂ is doubled and the rate quadruples when the concentration of NO is doubled,by what factor will the rate increase if both concentrations,NO and Cl₂,are doubled?
Cl₂(g) + 2 NO(g) → 2 NOCl(g)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the reaction rate doubles when [Cl] is doubled, the reaction is first order with respect to Cl. We can write this as:

rate = k[Cl][NO]^2

If the rate quadruples when [NO] is doubled, the reaction is second order with respect to NO. We can write this as:

rate = k[Cl][NO]^2

So, overall, the reaction rate can be described by:

rate = k[Cl][NO]^2

If both [Cl] and [NO] are doubled, the rate equation becomes:

rate = k(2[Cl])(2[NO])^2
rate = k(8[Cl][NO]^2)

So, the rate increases by a factor of 8, or C.

The Reaction Between Chlorine and Nitric Oxide to Form Nitrosyl