Acetaldehyde decomposes at 750 K: CH₃CHO → CO + CH₄.The reaction is first order in acetaldehyde and the half-life of the reaction is found to be 530 seconds.What is the rate constant for the reaction at this temperature?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

For a first-order reaction, the rate constant $k$ can be calculated using the formula $k = \frac{0.693}{t_{1/2}}$, where $t_{1/2}$ is the half-life of the reaction. Substituting $t_{1/2} = 530$ seconds into the formula gives $k = \frac{0.693}{530} \approx 1.3 \times 10^{-3} s^{-1}$.

Acetaldehyde Decomposes at 750 K: CH3CHO → CO + CH4

Acetaldehyde Decomposes at 750 K: CH₃CHO → CO + CH₄