Chapter 3: Rate Laws


Rate Law for Reversible Reactions

Write the rate law for the elementary reaction

\(\text{A} \overset{k_{fA}}{\underset{k_{rA}}{\rightleftharpoons}} 2\text{B}\)

Here kfA and krA are the forward and reverse specific reaction rates both defined with respect to A.

Hint: What is the net rate of reaction?

$ (a) r_{A} = k_{fA}C_{A} - k_{rA}{C_{B}}^2 $

$ (b) r_{A} = k_{rA}{C_{B}}^2 - k_{f}{C_{A}} $

$ (c) r_{A} = k_{fA}(C_{A} - \frac{{C_{B}}^2}{k_{c}}) $

Full Solution


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hint

What is the net rate of reaction?

(1)     \(\text{A} \xrightarrow{k_{fA}} 2\text{B}\)                    \(-r_{Af} = k_{fA} C_A\)

(2)     \(2\text{B} \xrightarrow{k_{rA}} \text{A}\)                     \(r_{Ar} = k_{rA} C_B^2\)

\(\text{rate}_{\text{net}} = \text{rate}_{\text{forward}} + \text{rate}_{\text{reverse}}\)

Back to Problem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solution

Write the rate law for the elementary reaction

\(\text{A} \overset{k_{fA}}{\underset{k_{rA}}{\rightleftharpoons}} 2\text{B}\)

Here kfA and krA are the forward and reverse specific reaction rates both defined with respect to A.

What is the net rate of reaction?

(1)     \(\text{A} \xrightarrow{k_{fA}} 2\text{B}\)                    \(-r_{Af} = k_{fA} C_A\)

(2)     \(2\text{B} \xrightarrow{k_{rA}} \text{A}\)                     \(r_{Ar} = k_{rA} C_B^2\)

\(\text{rate}_{\text{net}} = \text{rate}_{\text{forward}} + \text{rate}_{\text{reverse}}\)

 

\(r_A = -k_f C_A + k_r C_B^2\)

\(-r_A = k_{fA} C_A - k_r C_B^2\)

\(= k_{fA} \left[C_A - \frac{C_B^2}{k_f / k_r}\right]\)

\[ \boxed{-r_A = k_{fA} \left[C_A - \frac{C_B^2}{K_c}\right]} \]

At equilibrium 

\(-r_A \equiv 0\)

\[ \boxed{K_c = \frac{C_{Be}^2}{C_{Ae}}} \]

 

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