The rates of many atmospheric reactions are accelerated by the absorption of light by one of the reactants. For example, consider the reaction between methane and chlorine to produce methyl chloride and hydrogen chloride:
Reaction 1: CH4 (g) + C12 (g) → CH3 C1 (g) + HC1 (g)
This reaction is very slow in the absence of light. However, C12 (g) can absorb light to form C1 atoms:
Reaction 2: C12 (g) + hv → 2C1 (g)
Once the C1 atoms are generated, they can catalyze the reaction of CH4 and C12, according to the following proposed mechanism:
Reaction 3: CH4 (g) + C1 (g) → CH3 C1 (g) + HC1 (g)
Reaction 1: CH3 (g) + C12 (g) → CH3 C1 (g) + C1 (g)
The enthalpy changes and activation energies for these two reactions are tabulated as follows:
Reaction | ΔH0(KJ/mol) | Ea (KJ/mol) |
3 | +4 | 17 |
4 | --109 | 4 |
By using the bond enthalpy for C12 (Table 8.4), determine the longest
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionChapter 2 Solutions
Chemistry: The Central Science, Books a la Carte Edition & Solutions to Red Exercises for Chemistry & Mastering Chemistry with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package
- The Raschig reaction produces the industrially important reducing agent hydrazine, N2H4, from ammonia, NH3, and hypochlorite ion, OCl−, in basic aqueous solution. A proposed mechanism is Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: What is the overall stoichiometric equation? Which step is rate-limiting? What reaction intermediates are involved? What rate law is predicted by this mechanism?arrow_forwardCobra venom helps the snake secure food by binding to acetylcholine receptors on the diaphragm of a bite victim, leading to the loss of function of the diaphragm muscle tissue and eventually death. In order to develop more potent antivenins, scientists have studied what happens to the toxin once it has bound the acetylcholine receptors. They have found that the toxin is released from the receptor in a process that can be described by the rate law Rate = k [acetylcholine receptortoxin complex] If the activation energy of this reaction at 37.0C is 26.2 kJ/mol and A = 0.850 s1. what is the rate of reaction if you have a 0.200M solution of receptor-toxin complex at 37.0C?arrow_forwardWrite a rate law for NO3(g) + O2(g) NO2(g) + O3(g) if measurements show the reaction is first order in nitrogen trioxide and second order in oxygen.arrow_forward
- Isomerization of CH3NC occurs slowly when CH3NC is heated. CH3NC(g) CH3CN(g) To study the rate of this reaction at 488 K, data on [CH3NC] were collected at various times. Analysis led to the following graph. (a) What is the rate law for this reaction? (b) What is the equation for the straight line in this graph? (c) Calculate the rate constant for this reaction. (d) How long does it take for half of the sample to isomerize? (e) What is the concentration of CH3NC after 1.0 104 s?arrow_forwardAssuming that the mechanism for the hydrogenation of C2H4 given in Section 11-7 is correct, would you predict that the product of the reaction of C2H4. with D2 would be CH2DCH2D or CHD2CH3? How could the reaction of C2H4 with D2 be used to confirm the mechanism for the hydrogenation of C2H4 given in Section 11-7?arrow_forwardGaseous azomethane (CH3N2CH3) decomposes to ethane and nitrogen when heated: CH3N2CH3(g) CH3CH3(g) + N2(g) The decomposition of azomethane is a first-order reaction with k = 3.6 104 s1 at 600 K. (a) A sample of gaseous CH3N2CH3 is placed in a flask and heated at 600 K for 150 seconds. What fraction of the initial sample remains after this time? (b) How long must a sample be heated so that 99% of the sample has decomposed?arrow_forward
- One experimental procedure that can be used to determine the rate law of a reaction is the method of initial rates. What data are gathered in the method of initial rates, and how are these data manipulated to determine k and the orders of the species in the rate law? Are the units for k. the rate constant, the same for all rate laws? Explain. If a reaction is first order in A, what happens to the rate if [A] is tripled? If the initial rate for a reaction increases by a factor of 16 when [A] is quadrupled, what is the order of n? If a reaction is third order in A and [A] is doubled, what happens to the initial rate? If a reaction is zero order, what effect does [A] have on the initial rate of a reaction?arrow_forwardThe decomposition of iodoethane in the gas phase proceeds according to the following equation: C2H5I(g)C2H4(g)+HI(g) At 660. K, k = 7.2 104 sl; at 720. K, k = 1.7 102 sl. What is the value of the rate constant for this first-order decomposition at 325C? If the initial pressure of iodoethane is 894 torr at 245C, what is the pressure of iodoethane after three half-lives?arrow_forwardAt 573 K, gaseous NO2(g) decomposes, forming NO(g) and O2(g). If a vessel containing NO2(g) has an initial concentration of 1.9 102 mol/L, how long will it take for 75% of the NO2(g) to decompose? The decomposition of NO2(g) is second-order in the reactant and the rate constant for this reaction, at 573 K, is 1.1 L/mol s.arrow_forward
- There are two molecules with the formula C3H6 Propane, CH3CH = CH2, is the monomer of the polymer polypropylene, which is used for indoor-outdoor carpets. Cyclopropane is used as an anesthetic: When heated to 499 C, cyclopropane rearranges (isomerizes) and forms propane with a rate constant of 5.95104s1. What is the half-life of this reaction? What fraction of the cyclopropane remains after 0.75 h at 499 C?arrow_forwardThe label on a bottle of 3% (by volume) hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, purchased at a grocery store, states that the solution should be stored in a cool, dark place. H2O2decomposes slowly over time, and the rate of decomposition increases with an increase in temperature and in the presence of light. However, the rate of decomposition increases dramatically if a small amount of powdered MnO- is added to the solution. The decomposition products are H2O and O2. MnO2 is not consumed in the reaction. Write the equation for the decomposition of H2O2. What role does MnO2 play? In the chemistry lab, a student substituted a chunk of MnO2 for the powdered compound. The reaction rate was not appreciably increased. WTiat is one possible explanation for this observation? Is MnO2 part of the stoichiometry of the decomposition of H2O2?arrow_forwardThe isomerization of cyclopropane, C3H6, is believed to occur by the mechanism shown in the following equations: C3H6+C3H5k1C3H6+C3H6(Step1)C3H6k2C2=CHCH3(Step2) Here C3H6 is an excited cyclopropane molecule. At low pressure, Step 1 is much slower than Step 2. Derive the rate law for this mechanism at low pressure. Explain.arrow_forward
- Chemistry: The Molecular ScienceChemistryISBN:9781285199047Author:John W. Moore, Conrad L. StanitskiPublisher:Cengage LearningChemistryChemistryISBN:9781305957404Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCostePublisher:Cengage LearningChemistry: An Atoms First ApproachChemistryISBN:9781305079243Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. ZumdahlPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Chemistry & Chemical ReactivityChemistryISBN:9781337399074Author:John C. Kotz, Paul M. Treichel, John Townsend, David TreichelPublisher:Cengage LearningChemistry & Chemical ReactivityChemistryISBN:9781133949640Author:John C. Kotz, Paul M. Treichel, John Townsend, David TreichelPublisher:Cengage Learning