The half-life of a first-order reaction is 6.93 minutes. Find the time required for 90% completion of the reaction.
A first-order reaction follows the rate law:
t = (2.303/k) log (a/(a-x))
For a first-order reaction:
t1/2 = 0.693/k
Given:
t1/2 = 6.93 min
Therefore:
k = 0.693/6.93
= 0.1 min-1
For 90% completion:
Remaining reactant = 10%
a - x = 0.1a
Substituting in the first-order equation:
t = (2.303/0.1) log(10)
Since log(10)=1:
t = 23.03 min
Nearest integer:
23 min
First-order reactions are common in radioactive decay, decomposition reactions, and many biological processes. One important property of first-order reactions is that the half-life remains constant regardless of the initial concentration.
Time Required = 23 Minutes