COMEDK2024ChemistryChemical KineticsActual
The half-life for a zero order reaction is
Options
- ADirectly proportional to the initial concentration and inversely proportional to the rate constant
- BIndependent of initial concentration
- CInversely proportional to the initial concentration and directly proportional to the rate constant
- DIndependent of rate constant, but depends on the initial concentration
Correct answer
A. Directly proportional to the initial concentration and inversely proportional to the rate constant
Step-by-step solution
For a zero order reaction, the integrated rate law is given by [A] = [A]₀ - kt , where [A]₀ is the initial concentration, [A] is the concentration at time t , and k is the rate constant. The half-life t_ 1/2 is defined as the time when the concentration of the reactant is half of its initial value, i.e., [A] = [A]₀ 2 . Substituting this into the rate equation: [A]₀ 2 = [A]₀ - kt_ 1/2 kt_ 1/2 = [A]₀ - [A]₀ 2 kt_ 1/2 = [A]₀ 2 t_ 1/2 = [A]₀ 2k From the expression t_ 1/2 = [A]₀ 2k , it is evident that the half-life is