Skip to ContentGo to accessibility pageKeyboard shortcuts menu
OpenStax Logo
Chemistry 2e

12.4 Integrated Rate Laws

Chemistry 2e12.4 Integrated Rate Laws

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Explain the form and function of an integrated rate law
  • Perform integrated rate law calculations for zero-, first-, and second-order reactions
  • Define half-life and carry out related calculations
  • Identify the order of a reaction from concentration/time data

The rate laws discussed thus far relate the rate and the concentrations of reactants. We can also determine a second form of each rate law that relates the concentrations of reactants and time. These are called integrated rate laws. We can use an integrated rate law to determine the amount of reactant or product present after a period of time or to estimate the time required for a reaction to proceed to a certain extent. For example, an integrated rate law is used to determine the length of time a radioactive material must be stored for its radioactivity to decay to a safe level.

Using calculus, the differential rate law for a chemical reaction can be integrated with respect to time to give an equation that relates the amount of reactant or product present in a reaction mixture to the elapsed time of the reaction. This process can either be very straightforward or very complex, depending on the complexity of the differential rate law. For purposes of discussion, we will focus on the resulting integrated rate laws for first-, second-, and zero-order reactions.

First-Order Reactions

Integration of the rate law for a simple first-order reaction (rate = k[A]) results in an equation describing how the reactant concentration varies with time:

[A]t=[A]0ekt[A]t=[A]0ekt

where [A]t is the concentration of A at any time t, [A]0 is the initial concentration of A, and k is the first-order rate constant.

For mathematical convenience, this equation may be rearranged to other formats, including direct and indirect proportionalities:

ln([A]t[A]0)=ktorln([A]0[A]t)=ktln([A]t[A]0)=ktorln([A]0[A]t)=kt

and a format showing a linear dependence of concentration in time:

ln[A]t=ln[A]0ktln[A]t=ln[A]0kt

Example 12.6

The Integrated Rate Law for a First-Order Reaction

The rate constant for the first-order decomposition of cyclobutane, C4H8 at 500 °C is 9.2 ×× 10−3 s−1:
C4H82C2H4C4H82C2H4

How long will it take for 80.0% of a sample of C4H8 to decompose?

Solution

Since the relative change in reactant concentration is provided, a convenient format for the integrated rate law is:
ln([A]0[A]t)=ktln([A]0[A]t)=kt

The initial concentration of C4H8, [A]0, is not provided, but the provision that 80.0% of the sample has decomposed is enough information to solve this problem. Let x be the initial concentration, in which case the concentration after 80.0% decomposition is 20.0% of x or 0.200x. Rearranging the rate law to isolate t and substituting the provided quantities yields:

t=ln[x][0.200x]×1k=ln5×19.2×10−3s−1=1.609×19.2×10−3s−1=1.7×102st=ln[x][0.200x]×1k=ln5×19.2×10−3s−1=1.609×19.2×10−3s−1=1.7×102s

Check Your Learning

Iodine-131 is a radioactive isotope that is used to diagnose and treat some forms of thyroid cancer. Iodine-131 decays to xenon-131 according to the equation:
I-131Xe-131+electronI-131Xe-131+electron

The decay is first-order with a rate constant of 0.138 d−1. How many days will it take for 90% of the iodine−131 in a 0.500 M solution of this substance to decay to Xe-131?

Answer:

16.7 days

In the next example exercise, a linear format for the integrated rate law will be convenient:

ln[A]t=(k)(t)+ln[A]0y=mx+bln[A]t=(k)(t)+ln[A]0y=mx+b

A plot of ln[A]t versus t for a first-order reaction is a straight line with a slope of −k and a y-intercept of ln[A]0. If a set of rate data are plotted in this fashion but do not result in a straight line, the reaction is not first order in A.

Example 12.7

Graphical Determination of Reaction Order and Rate Constant

Show that the data in Figure 12.2 can be represented by a first-order rate law by graphing ln[H2O2] versus time. Determine the rate constant for the decomposition of H2O2 from these data.

Solution

The data from Figure 12.2 are tabulated below, and a plot of ln[H2O2] is shown in Figure 12.9.
Time (h) [H2O2] (M) ln[H2O2]
0.00 1.000 0.000
6.00 0.500 −0.693
12.00 0.250 −1.386
18.00 0.125 −2.079
24.00 0.0625 −2.772
A graph is shown with the label “Time ( h )” on the x-axis and “l n [ H subscript 2 O subscript 2 ]” on the y-axis. The x-axis shows markings at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours. The vertical axis shows markings at negative 3, negative 2, negative 1, and 0. A decreasing linear trend line is drawn through five points represented at the coordinates (0, 0), (6, negative 0.693), (12, negative 1.386), (18, negative 2.079), and (24, negative 2.772).
Figure 12.9 A linear relationship between ln[H2O2] and time suggests the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is a first-order reaction.

The plot of ln[H2O2] versus time is linear, indicating that the reaction may be described by a first-order rate law.

According to the linear format of the first-order integrated rate law, the rate constant is given by the negative of this plot’s slope.

slope=change inychange inx=ΔyΔx=Δln[H2O2]Δtslope=change inychange inx=ΔyΔx=Δln[H2O2]Δt

The slope of this line may be derived from two values of ln[H2O2] at different values of t (one near each end of the line is preferable). For example, the value of ln[H2O2] when t is 0.00 h is 0.000; the value when t = 24.00 h is −2.772

slope=−2.7720.00024.000.00 h =−2.77224.00 h =−0.116h−1 k=slope=(−0.116h−1)=0.116h−1slope=−2.7720.00024.000.00 h =−2.77224.00 h =−0.116h−1 k=slope=(−0.116h−1)=0.116h−1

Check Your Learning

Graph the following data to determine whether the reaction AB+CAB+C is first order.
Time (s) [A]
4.0 0.220
8.0 0.144
12.0 0.110
16.0 0.088
20.0 0.074

Answer:

The plot of ln[A]t vs. t is not linear, indicating the reaction is not first order:

A graph, labeled above as “l n [ A ] vs. Time” is shown. The x-axis is labeled, “Time ( s )” and the y-axis is labeled, “l n [ A ].” The x-axis shows markings at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 hours. The y-axis shows markings at negative 3, negative 2, negative 1, and 0. A slight curve is drawn connecting five points at coordinates of approximately (4, negative 1.5), (8, negative 2), (12, negative 2.2), (16, negative 2.4), and (20, negative 2.6).

Second-Order Reactions

The equations that relate the concentrations of reactants and the rate constant of second-order reactions can be fairly complicated. To illustrate the point with minimal complexity, only the simplest second-order reactions will be described here, namely, those whose rates depend on the concentration of just one reactant. For these types of reactions, the differential rate law is written as:

rate=k[A]2rate=k[A]2

For these second-order reactions, the integrated rate law is:

1[A]t=kt+1[A]01[A]t=kt+1[A]0

where the terms in the equation have their usual meanings as defined earlier.

Example 12.8

The Integrated Rate Law for a Second-Order Reaction

The reaction of butadiene gas (C4H6) to yield C8H12 gas is described by the equation:
2C4H6(g)C8H12(g)2C4H6(g)C8H12(g)

This “dimerization” reaction is second order with a rate constant equal to 5.76 ×× 10−2 L mol−1 min−1 under certain conditions. If the initial concentration of butadiene is 0.200 M, what is the concentration after 10.0 min?

Solution

For a second-order reaction, the integrated rate law is written
1[A]t=kt+1[A]01[A]t=kt+1[A]0

We know three variables in this equation: [A]0 = 0.200 mol/L, k = 5.76 ×× 10−2 L/mol/min, and t = 10.0 min. Therefore, we can solve for [A], the fourth variable:

1[A]t=(5.76×10−2L mol−1min−1)(10min)+10.200mol−11[A]t=(5.76×10−1L mol−1)+5.00L mol−11[A]t=5.58L mol−1[A]t=1.79×10−1mol L−11[A]t=(5.76×10−2L mol−1min−1)(10min)+10.200mol−11[A]t=(5.76×10−1L mol−1)+5.00L mol−11[A]t=5.58L mol−1[A]t=1.79×10−1mol L−1

Therefore 0.179 mol/L of butadiene remain at the end of 10.0 min, compared to the 0.200 mol/L that was originally present.

Check Your Learning

If the initial concentration of butadiene is 0.0200 M, what is the concentration remaining after 20.0 min?

Answer:

0.0195 mol/L

The integrated rate law for second-order reactions has the form of the equation of a straight line:

1[A]t=kt+1[A]0y=mx+b1[A]t=kt+1[A]0y=mx+b

A plot of 1[A]t1[A]t versus t for a second-order reaction is a straight line with a slope of k and a y-intercept of 1[A]0.1[A]0. If the plot is not a straight line, then the reaction is not second order.

Example 12.9

Graphical Determination of Reaction Order and Rate Constant

The data below are for the same reaction described in Example 12.8. Prepare and compare two appropriate data plots to identify the reaction as being either first or second order. After identifying the reaction order, estimate a value for the rate constant.

Solution

Time (s) [C4H6] (M)
0 1.00 ×× 10−2
1600 5.04 ×× 10−3
3200 3.37 ×× 10−3
4800 2.53 ×× 10−3
6200 2.08 ×× 10−3

In order to distinguish a first-order reaction from a second-order reaction, prepare a plot of ln[C4H6]t versus t and compare it to a plot of 1[C4H6]t1[C4H6]t versus t. The values needed for these plots follow.

Time (s) 1[C4H6](M−1)1[C4H6](M−1) ln[C4H6]
0 100 −4.605
1600 198 −5.289
3200 296 −5.692
4800 395 −5.978
6200 481 −6.175

The plots are shown in Figure 12.10, which clearly shows the plot of ln[C4H6]t versus t is not linear, therefore the reaction is not first order. The plot of 1[C4H6]t1[C4H6]t versus t is linear, indicating that the reaction is second order.

Two graphs are shown, each with the label “Time ( s )” on the x-axis. The graph on the left is labeled, “l n [ C subscript 4 H subscript 6 ],” on the y-axis. The graph on the right is labeled “1 divided by [ C subscript 4 H subscript 6 ],” on the y-axis. The x-axes for both graphs show markings at 3000 and 6000. The y-axis for the graph on the left shows markings at negative 6, negative 5, and negative 4. A decreasing slightly concave up curve is drawn through five points at coordinates that are (0, negative 4.605), (1600, negative 5.289), (3200, negative 5.692), (4800, negative 5.978), and (6200, negative 6.175). The y-axis for the graph on the right shows markings at 100, 300, and 500. An approximately linear increasing curve is drawn through five points at coordinates that are (0, 100), (1600, 198), (3200, 296), and (4800, 395), and (6200, 481).
Figure 12.10 These two graphs show first- and second-order plots for the dimerization of C4H6. The linear trend in the second-order plot (right) indicates that the reaction follows second-order kinetics.

According to the second-order integrated rate law, the rate constant is equal to the slope of the 1[A]t1[A]t versus t plot. Using the data for t = 0 s and t = 6200 s, the rate constant is estimated as follows:

k=slope=(481M−1100M−1)(6200s0s)=0.0614M−1s−1k=slope=(481M−1100M−1)(6200s0s)=0.0614M−1s−1

Check Your Learning

Do the following data fit a second-order rate law?
Time (s) [A] (M)
5 0.952
10 0.625
15 0.465
20 0.370
25 0.308
35 0.230

Answer:

Yes. The plot of 1[A]t1[A]t vs. t is linear:

A graph, with the title “1 divided by [ A ] vs. Time” is shown, with the label, “Time ( s ),” on the x-axis. The label “1 divided by [ A ]” appears left of the y-axis. The x-axis shows markings beginning at zero and continuing at intervals of 10 up to and including 40. The y-axis on the left shows markings beginning at 0 and increasing by intervals of 1 up to and including 5. A line with an increasing trend is drawn through six points at approximately (4, 1), (10, 1.5), (15, 2.2), (20, 2.8), (26, 3.4), and (36, 4.4).

Zero-Order Reactions

For zero-order reactions, the differential rate law is:

rate=krate=k

A zero-order reaction thus exhibits a constant reaction rate, regardless of the concentration of its reactant(s). This may seem counterintuitive, since the reaction rate certainly can’t be finite when the reactant concentration is zero. For purposes of this introductory text, it will suffice to note that zero-order kinetics are observed for some reactions only under certain specific conditions. These same reactions exhibit different kinetic behaviors when the specific conditions aren’t met, and for this reason the more prudent term pseudo-zero-order is sometimes used.

The integrated rate law for a zero-order reaction is a linear function:

[A]t=kt+[A]0y=mx+b[A]t=kt+[A]0y=mx+b

A plot of [A] versus t for a zero-order reaction is a straight line with a slope of −k and a y-intercept of [A]0. Figure 12.11 shows a plot of [NH3] versus t for the thermal decomposition of ammonia at the surface of two different heated solids. The decomposition reaction exhibits first-order behavior at a quartz (SiO2) surface, as suggested by the exponentially decaying plot of concentration versus time. On a tungsten surface, however, the plot is linear, indicating zero-order kinetics.

Example 12.10

Graphical Determination of Zero-Order Rate Constant

Use the data plot in Figure 12.11 to graphically estimate the zero-order rate constant for ammonia decomposition at a tungsten surface.

Solution

The integrated rate law for zero-order kinetics describes a linear plot of reactant concentration, [A]t, versus time, t, with a slope equal to the negative of the rate constant, −k. Following the mathematical approach of previous examples, the slope of the linear data plot (for decomposition on W) is estimated from the graph. Using the ammonia concentrations at t = 0 and t = 1000 s:
k=−slope=(0.0015molL−10.0028molL−1)(1000s0s)=1.3×10−6molL−1s−1k=−slope=(0.0015molL−10.0028molL−1)(1000s0s)=1.3×10−6molL−1s−1

Check Your Learning

The zero-order plot in Figure 12.11 shows an initial ammonia concentration of 0.0028 mol L−1 decreasing linearly with time for 1000 s. Assuming no change in this zero-order behavior, at what time (min) will the concentration reach 0.0001 mol L−1?

Answer:

35 min

A graph is shown with the label, “Time ( s ),” on the x-axis and, “[ N H subscript 3 ] M,” on the y-axis. The x-axis shows a single value of 1000 marked near the right end of the axis. The vertical axis shows markings at 1.0 times 10 superscript negative 3, 2.0 times 10 superscript negative 3, and 3.0 times 10 superscript negative 3. A decreasing linear trend line is drawn through six points at the approximate coordinates: (0, 2.8 times 10 superscript negative 3), (200, 2.6 times 10 superscript negative 3), (400, 2.3 times 10 superscript negative 3), (600, 2.0 times 10 superscript negative 3), (800, 1.8 times 10 superscript negative 3), and (1000, 1.6 times 10 superscript negative 3). This line is labeled “Decomposition on W.” A decreasing slightly concave up curve is similarly drawn through eight points at the approximate coordinates: (0, 2.8 times 10 superscript negative 3), (100, 2.5 times 10 superscript negative 3), (200, 2.1 times 10 superscript negative 3), (300, 1.9 times 10 superscript negative 3), (400, 1.6 times 10 superscript negative 3), (500, 1.4 times 10 superscript negative 3), and (750, 1.1 times 10 superscript negative 3), ending at about (1000, 0.7 times 10 superscript negative 3). This curve is labeled “Decomposition on S i O subscript 2.”
Figure 12.11 The decomposition of NH3 on a tungsten (W) surface is a zero-order reaction, whereas on a quartz (SiO2) surface, the reaction is first order.

The Half-Life of a Reaction

The half-life of a reaction (t1/2) is the time required for one-half of a given amount of reactant to be consumed. In each succeeding half-life, half of the remaining concentration of the reactant is consumed. Using the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (Figure 12.2) as an example, we find that during the first half-life (from 0.00 hours to 6.00 hours), the concentration of H2O2 decreases from 1.000 M to 0.500 M. During the second half-life (from 6.00 hours to 12.00 hours), it decreases from 0.500 M to 0.250 M; during the third half-life, it decreases from 0.250 M to 0.125 M. The concentration of H2O2 decreases by half during each successive period of 6.00 hours. The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is a first-order reaction, and, as can be shown, the half-life of a first-order reaction is independent of the concentration of the reactant. However, half-lives of reactions with other orders depend on the concentrations of the reactants.

First-Order Reactions

An equation relating the half-life of a first-order reaction to its rate constant may be derived from the integrated rate law as follows:

ln[A]0[A]t=ktt=ln[A]0[A]t×1kln[A]0[A]t=ktt=ln[A]0[A]t×1k

Invoking the definition of half-life, symbolized t1/2,t1/2, requires that the concentration of A at this point is one-half its initial concentration: t=t1/2,t=t1/2, [A]t=12[A]0.[A]t=12[A]0.

Substituting these terms into the rearranged integrated rate law and simplifying yields the equation for half-life:

t1/2=ln[A]012[A]0×1k=ln2×1k=0.693×1kt1/2=0.693kt1/2=ln[A]012[A]0×1k=ln2×1k=0.693×1kt1/2=0.693k

This equation describes an expected inverse relation between the half-life of the reaction and its rate constant, k. Faster reactions exhibit larger rate constants and correspondingly shorter half-lives. Slower reactions exhibit smaller rate constants and longer half-lives.

Example 12.11

Calculation of a First-order Rate Constant using Half-Life

Calculate the rate constant for the first-order decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in water at 40 °C, using the data given in Figure 12.12.
A diagram of 5 beakers is shown, each approximately half-filled with colored substances. Beneath each beaker are three rows of text. The first beaker contains a bright green substance and is labeled below as, “1.000 M, 0 s, and ( 0 h ).” The second beaker contains a slightly lighter green substance and is labeled below as, “0.500 M, 2.16 times 10 superscript 4 s, and ( 6 h ).” The third beaker contains an even lighter green substance and is labeled below as, “0.250 M, 4.32 times 10 superscript 4 s, and ( 12 h ).” The fourth beaker contains a green tinted substance and is labeled below as, “0.125 M, 6.48 times 10 superscript 4 s, and ( 18 h ).” The fifth beaker contains a colorless substance and is labeled below as, “0.0625 M, 8.64 times 10 superscript 4 s, and ( 24 h ).”
Figure 12.12 The decomposition of H2O2 (2H2O22H2O+O2)(2H2O22H2O+O2) at 40 °C is illustrated. The intensity of the color symbolizes the concentration of H2O2 at the indicated times; H2O2 is actually colorless.

Solution

Inspecting the concentration/time data in Figure 12.12 shows the half-life for the decomposition of H2O2 is 2.16 ×× 104 s:
t1/2=0.693kk=0.693t1/2=0.6932.16×104s=3.21×10−5s−1t1/2=0.693kk=0.693t1/2=0.6932.16×104s=3.21×10−5s−1

Check Your Learning

The first-order radioactive decay of iodine-131 exhibits a rate constant of 0.138 d−1. What is the half-life for this decay?

Answer:

5.02 d.

Second-Order Reactions

Following the same approach as used for first-order reactions, an equation relating the half-life of a second-order reaction to its rate constant and initial concentration may be derived from its integrated rate law:

1[A]t=kt+1[A]01[A]t=kt+1[A]0

or

1[A]1[A]0=kt1[A]1[A]0=kt

Restrict t to t1/2

t=t1/2t=t1/2

define [A]t as one-half [A]0

[A]t=12[A]0[A]t=12[A]0

and then substitute into the integrated rate law and simplify:

112[A]01[A]0=kt1/22[A]01[A]0=kt1/21[A]0=kt1/2t1/2=1k[A]0112[A]01[A]0=kt1/22[A]01[A]0=kt1/21[A]0=kt1/2t1/2=1k[A]0

For a second-order reaction, t1/2t1/2 is inversely proportional to the concentration of the reactant, and the half-life increases as the reaction proceeds because the concentration of reactant decreases. Unlike with first-order reactions, the rate constant of a second-order reaction cannot be calculated directly from the half-life unless the initial concentration is known.

Zero-Order Reactions

As for other reaction orders, an equation for zero-order half-life may be derived from the integrated rate law:

[A]=kt+[A]0[A]=kt+[A]0

Restricting the time and concentrations to those defined by half-life: t=t1/2t=t1/2 and [A]=[A]02.[A]=[A]02. Substituting these terms into the zero-order integrated rate law yields:

[A]02=kt1/2+[A]0kt1/2=[A]02t1/2=[A]02k[A]02=kt1/2+[A]0kt1/2=[A]02t1/2=[A]02k

As for all reaction orders, the half-life for a zero-order reaction is inversely proportional to its rate constant. However, the half-life of a zero-order reaction increases as the initial concentration increases.

Equations for both differential and integrated rate laws and the corresponding half-lives for zero-, first-, and second-order reactions are summarized in Table 12.2.

Summary of Rate Laws for Zero-, First-, and Second-Order Reactions
Zero-Order First-Order Second-Order
rate law rate = k rate = k[A] rate = k[A]2
units of rate constant M s−1 s−1 M−1 s−1
integrated rate law [A]=kt+[A]0[A]=kt+[A]0 ln[A]=kt+ln[A]0ln[A]=kt+ln[A]0 1[A]=kt+(1[A]0)1[A]=kt+(1[A]0)
plot needed for linear fit of rate data [A] vs. t ln[A] vs. t 1[A]1[A] vs. t
relationship between slope of linear plot and rate constant k = −slope k = −slope k = slope
half-life t1/2=[A]02kt1/2=[A]02k t1/2=0.693kt1/2=0.693k t1/2=1[A]0kt1/2=1[A]0k
Table 12.2

Example 12.12

Half-Life for Zero-Order and Second-Order Reactions

What is the half-life for the butadiene dimerization reaction described in Example 12.8?

Solution

The reaction in question is second order, is initiated with a 0.200 mol L−1 reactant solution, and exhibits a rate constant of 0.0576 L mol−1 min−1. Substituting these quantities into the second-order half-life equation:
t1/2=1[(0.0576Lmol−1min−1)(0.200molL−1)]=86.8min t1/2=1[(0.0576Lmol−1min−1)(0.200molL−1)]=86.8min

Check Your Learning

What is the half-life (min) for the thermal decomposition of ammonia on tungsten (see Figure 12.11)?

Answer:

19 min

Order a print copy

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Citation/Attribution

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/1-introduction
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/1-introduction
Citation information

© Jan 8, 2024 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.