Chapter 11, Problem 41E

The decomposition of ethanol (C₂H₅OH) on an alumina (Al₂O₃) surface

${\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_{\text{5}}\text{OH}\left(g\right)\to {\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_4\left(g\right)+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}\left(g\right)$

was studied at 600 K. Concentration versus time data were collected for this reaction, and a plot of [A] versus time resulted in a straight line with a slope of −4.00 × 10⁻⁵ mol/L · s.

a. Determine the rate law, the integrated rate law, and the value of the rate constant for this reaction.

b. If the initial concentration of C₂H₅OH was 1.25 × 10⁻² M, calculate the half-life for this reaction.

c. How much time is required for all the 1.25 × 10⁻² M C₂H₅OH to decompose?