The gas-phase isomerization of cyclopropane (C₃H₆) to propene at 760 mm Hg was…
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · CBSE · Chemistry · Chemical Kinetics · Chemical Kinetics
Problem
The gas-phase isomerization of cyclopropane (C₃H₆) to propene at 760 mm Hg was studied at 773 K. The experimenter recorded the concentration of cyclopropane at regular time intervals and transformed the data as shown in the table below.
Time, t (s) ln[C₃H₆] (mol L⁻¹)
0.00 −6.214
50.0 −6.556
100.0 −6.899
150.0 −7.238
200.0 −7.582
(1) Using the data in the table, construct a best-fit straight line relating ln[C₃H₆] to time. Clearly label the axes, include units, and sketch the line of best fit through the points.
(2) Employ two well-separated data points from the table to calculate the slope of your line. Use this slope to determine the numerical value of the rate constant for the isomerization at 773 K in units of s⁻¹.
(3) Convert the rate constant obtained in part (b) into units of min⁻¹, showing the unit conversion steps.
(4) Calculate the half-life for cyclopropane under these conditions and comment on whether the half-life would change if the initial concentration were doubled.