D32.3 Second-Order Reaction
For the generic reaction “A ⟶ products”, the integrated rate law is this:
When the reaction is second order with respect to [A], that is, when m = 2, this becomes:
This integrated rate law for a second-order reaction can be alternatively expressed as:
Exercise: Calculate Concentration from Time
The integrated rate law for a second-order reaction also has a standard linear equation format:
Hence, if a reaction is second order in [A], a plot of vs t should yield a straight line, where the slope equals k and the y-intercept is . If the plot is not a straight line, then the reaction is not second order with respect to [A].
Activity: Order from Integrated Rate Law
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