The rate constant for the reaction, 2 ~N ₂ O _ 5(g) 2 ~N ₂ O _ 4(g) + O _ 2(g) is 4.98 10⁻⁴ ~s ⁻¹ . What is the order of reaction?

Step-by-step solution

Units of the rate constant ( k ) depend on the reaction order n , with general units given by Units of k = ( concentration )^ 1-n ( time )⁻¹ . Given k = 4.98 10⁻⁴ ~s ⁻¹ , the units imply s ⁻¹ = ( concentration )^ 1-n ~s ⁻¹ . Canceling s ⁻¹ yields ( concentration )^ 1-n = 1 , which requires 1-n = 0 , so n = 1 . The reaction is first-order , and the correct answer is B.