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 x 10^-1 M/s.What is the initial rate of appearance of chlorite ion under thos 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 x 10^-1 M/s.What is the initial rate of appearance of chlorite ion under thos same conditions?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the balanced chemical equation, 1 mol of chlorine dioxide gives rise to 1 mol of chlorite ion and 1 mol of chlorate ion. Therefore, the initial rate of appearance of chlorite ion is half of the initial rate of disappearance of chlorine dioxide. Hence, the initial rate of appearance of chlorite ion is (2.30 x 10^-1 M/s)/2 = 1.15 x 10^-1 M/s. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

Chlorine Dioxide Reacts in Basic Water to Form Chlorite and Chlorate