Chapter 11, Problem 39QAP

The decomposition of azomethane, (CH₃)₂N₂, to nitrogen and ethane gases is a first-order reaction,

${\left({\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}\right)}_2{\text{N}}_2\left(\text{g}\right)\to {\text{N}}_2\left(g\right)+{\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_6\left(g\right)$.

At a certain temperature, a 29-mg sample of azomethane is reduced to 12 mg in 1.4 s.

(a) What is the rate constant k for the decomposition at that temperature?

(b) What is the half-life of the decomposition?

(c) How long will it take to decompose 78% of the azomethane?