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Chemistry
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Reaction Kinetics

Learning Objectives:
Rate of reaction
Determination of the rate of a chemical reaction
Factors affecting rate of reaction
Specific rate constant or velocity constant
Units of rate constant
Order of reaction and its determination
Reactions Kinetics:
The branch of chemistry which deals with rates of chemical reactions and the factors that affect
the rates of chemical reactions is called reaction kinetics.

Explanation:
Reaction kinetics gives us information about the rates of chemical reactions and the effects of
different parameters like temperature, concentration, pressure and catalyst etc. on the rate of
reaction.
Types of reactions on the basis of rate of reaction:
i) Some reactions proceed at very fast rate.
Example:
A white precipitate of silver chloride is formed immediately on addition of aqueous
silver nitrate solution to aqueous sodium chloride solution.
AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq) ⎯⎯
→ AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq)
White ppt.
ii) Some reactions proceed at a moderate rate.
Example:
Hydrolysis of an ester.
ii) Some reactions are very slow. They proceed at very slow rates.
Examples:
• The rusting of iron.
• The chemical weathering of rocks.
• Stone work of building by acidic gases in the atmosphere.
• Fermentation of sugar.
Rate of Reaction:
The change in concentration of a reactant or a product per unit time is called the rate of
reaction.
change in concentration of substance
Rate of reaction =
time taken for the change
Suppose, the change in concentration is represented by ‘∆C’ and time taken for the
ΔC
change is taken as t. So, rate of reaction = .
Δt
Explanation:
Consider a general reaction
A ⎯⎯ →B
The rate of reaction is given by:
 dx
Rate of reaction =
dt
For change in concentration of reactants
d[A]
Rate of reaction = -
dt
Negative sign indicates that the concentration of reactants decreases with passage of
time. Where, d[A] is the change in concentration of reactant and dt is the change in
time.
i) For the change in concentration of products.
d[B]
Rate of reaction = +
dt
Positive sign indicates that the concentration of products increases with passage of
time. Where, d[B] is the change in concentration of product and dt is the change in time.
Graphical explanation of rate:
During a chemical reaction, reactants are converted into products. The concentration of
the products increases with the corresponding decrease in the concentration of
reactants. This is explained graphically in the following figure.

Change in the concentration of reactants and

products with time for the reaction A ⎯⎯
→B

From graph it is clear that concentration of reactant ‘A’ goes on decreasing and that of
product ‘B’ goes on increasing.
Rate of reaction is ever changing parameter:
Rate of reaction is changing every moment. It decreases continuously till the reaction
ceases. In the beginning, as it is clear from graph that the concentration of ‘A’ changes
rapidly. So, rate of reaction is fast. With the passage of time, change in concentration is
not so fast. So, rate of reaction decreases.
Units of rate of reaction:
The units of rate of reaction are moles.dm-3.sec-1. In case of gas phase reaction, units of
pressure are used in place of molar concentrations i.e atm sec-1.
Instantaneous and Average Rate:
Instantaneous Rate:
The rate of chemical reaction at any instant of time during the course of reaction is
called instantaneous rate.
Instantaneous rate is very fast in the beginning while it is slow at the end.
Average rate:
The rate of reaction between two specific time intervals is called the average rate of reaction.
Comparison of Instantaneous Rate and Average Rate:
i) The average rate and instantaneous rate are equal for only one instant in any time
interval. or
The average rate and instantaneous rate will be equal when the time interval approaches to
zero.
ii) In the beginning of reaction, the instantaneous rate is faster than the average rate
while at the end of the interval the instantaneous rate is slower than the average
rate.
Specific rate constant or velocity constant:
Law of Mass Action:
The rate of chemical reaction is directly proportional to the product of the active masses of
reactants. This is called law of mass action.
Explanation:
Consider the following reaction.
aA + bB ⎯⎯ → cC + dD
Rate of reaction = k [A]a [B]b ------------------(1)
The expression (1) is called rate equation while ‘k’ is proportionality constant called rate
constant for forward reaction. The [ ] represents the concentrations in moles/dm3.

Specific Rate Constant or Velocity Constant:

i) The rate of reaction when the concentrations of reactants are unity is called Specific
rate constant or velocity constant.
Using equation (1):
Rate of reaction = k [A]a [B]b
Suppose [A] = [B] = 1moles/dm3
Rate of reaction = k [1]a [1]b
 rate of reaction = k (since, [1]a [1]b = 1)
or
ii) Generally, for different concentration of reactants, rate constant can also be defined
as:
The rate of reaction is the ratio of rate of reaction to the product of concentration of
reactants raised to power their number of moles.
Using equation (1):
rate of reaction
Rate constant ‘k’ =
[A]a [B]b
‘k’ has specific value for a reaction proceeding under some conditions. It means k
remains constant under given conditions but it changes with temperature.

Order of Reactions:
The sum of exponents of concentration terms in the rate equation is called order of reaction
OR
The number of reacting molecules whose concentrations alter as a result of chemical reaction is
called order of reaction.
Explanation:
Consider a general reaction between reactants A and B where ‘a’ moles of ‘A’ and ‘b’ moles of
‘B’ react to form ‘c’ moles of ‘C’ and ‘d’ moles of ‘D’.
aA + bB ⎯⎯ → cC + dD
Rate equation for above reaction is.
R = k [A]a [B]b
The exponent ‘a’ and ‘b’ give the order of reaction with the respect to the individual reactants A
and B respectively. It means that reaction is of order ‘a’ with respect to A and of the order ‘b’
with respect to B. The overall order of reaction is (a + b).
It is important to note that the order of reaction is an experimentally determined quantity and
can not be inferred simply by looking at the reaction equation. The sum of the exponents in
the rate equation may or may not be the same as in balanced chemical equation.
Types of reaction (on the basis of order of reaction):
With respect to order of the reaction, chemical reactions have been classified into
following types.
1. First order reaction
2. Pseudo-first order reaction
3. Second order reaction
 4. Third order reaction
5. Fractional order reaction
6. Zero order reaction
The order of reaction provides valuable information about the mechanism of a reaction.
(1) First Order Reaction (usually decomposition reactions):
(i) Decomposition of nitrogen penta-oxide involves the following equations:
Example:
2N2O5 ⎯⎯ → 2N2O4 + O2
According to balanced chemical equation reaction is considered to be 2nd order but it is
first order. This indicates that reaction mechanism is different from the above
equation.
N2O5 ⎯⎯→ heat
N2O4 + ½ O2
Rate of reaction = k [N2O5]
(ii) Thermal decomposition of H2O2 is also first order reaction.
Example:
H2O2 ⎯⎯→ heat
H2O + ½ O2
Rate of reaction = k [H2O2]
(2) Pseudo first Order Reaction (usually hydrolytic reactions):
The reactions in which two types of reactants participate but the rate of reaction depends upon
the concentration of only one reactant and is independent of the concentration of second
reactant due to its large excess are called pseudo first order reactions.
Examples:
(i) Hydrolysis of tertiary butyl bromide.
CH3 CH3
| |
CH3 —C — Br + H2O ⎯⎯ → CH3 — C — OH + HBr
| |
CH3 CH3
The rate equation determined experimentally for this reaction is:
Rate = k [(CH3)3CBr]
The rate of reaction remains effectively independent of the concentration of water because
being a solvent it is present in large excess. Such types of reactions are called pseudo first order
reaction.
(ii) Hydrolysis of sucrose to give fructose and glucose is also pseudo first order reaction.
C12H22O11 + H2O ⎯⎯ → C6H12O6 + C6H12O6
+
H

Glucose Fructose
Rate of reaction = k [C12H22O11]1
(3) Second Order Reaction:
Oxidation of nitric oxide with ozone has been shown to be first order with respect to NO and
first order with respect to O3. The sum of the individual order gives the overall order of reaction
as two.
NO(g) + O3(g) ⎯⎯ → NO2(g) + O2(g)
Rate = k [NO] [O3]
(4) Third Order Reactions:
(i) The reaction of FeCl3 with KI is a third order reaction. There are eight molecules of
reactants in the balanced chemical equation.
2FeCl3 + 6KI ⎯⎯ → 2FeI2 + 6KCl + I2
But the rate expression is experimental fact. So, the exponent of FeCl3 is one while that of KI is
two in experimentally determined rate equation.
Rate of reaction = k [FeCl3] [KI]2
Actually, the reaction is taking place in more than one steps as shown in the following
mechanism.
FeCl3(aq) + 2KI(aq) ⎯⎯⎯
Slow
→ FeI2(aq) + 2KCl(aq) + Cl-1(aq)
2 KI(aq) + 2 Cl-1(aq) ⎯⎯→
Fast
2KCl(aq) + I2
(ii) Formation of nitrosyl chloride is also third order reaction.
2NO + Cl2 ⎯⎯ → 2NOCl
rate of reaction = k[NO]2 [Cl2]
(5) Fractional Order Reaction:
The reaction of chloroform with chlorine is of order 1.5.
CHCl3(l) + Cl2(g) ⎯⎯
→ CCl(l) + HCl(g)
Rate equation = k[CHCl3]1[Cl2]0.5
Order of reaction = 1+0.5=1.5
(6) Zero Order Reaction:
Such chemical reaction whose rate is independent of concentration of reactants is called
zero order reaction.
Examples:
(1) Photosynthesis Reaction.
6CO2 + 6H2O ⎯⎯⎯
sunlight
→ C6H12O6 + 6O2
The rate of this reaction depends upon intensity of light instead of concentration.

(2) Photochemical combination of H2 and Cl2 to give HCl when carried out over water surface
is zero order reaction.
H2 + Cl2 ⎯⎯
→ 2HCl
Order of Reaction and Unit of Rate Constant:
By using the expression,
k = (Concentration)1-n (time)-1, the unit of rate constant for nth order reaction can be
determined.
Examples:
(i) For zero order reaction, the units of rate constant k are given by:
Units of k = (concentration)1-n (time)-1
For zero Order n=0
Units of k = (mole/dm3)1-0 (s)-1
Unit of k = (mole/dm3)1 s-1
k = moles.dm-3.s-1
(ii) For first order reaction, the units of rate constant are given by:
Units of k = (concentration)1-n (time)-1
For first order n = 1
Units of k = (moles/dm3)1-1 s-1
Units of k = (moles/dm3)0 s-1
Units of k = s-1
(iii) For second order reaction, the units of rate constants k are given by:
Units of k = (concentration)1-n (time)-1
For second order n=2
Units of k = (mole/dm3)1-2 (s)-1
Units of k = (mole/dm3)-1 s-1
Units of k = moles-1 dm3 s-1
Units of k = dm3 moles-1 s-1
(iv) For third order reaction, the units of rate constant are given by
Units of k = (concentration)1-n (time)-1
For third ordern = 3
Units of k = (moles / dm3)1-3 (s)-1
Units of k = (mole/dm3)-2 s-1
Units of k = mole-2.dm-6 s-1
Units of k = dm6 moles-2 s-1

Rate Determining Step:

That step of chemical reaction which controls the rate of chemical reaction is the slowest step
and is called rate determining step.
or
The slowest step that controls the rate of multi-step chemical reaction is called rate
determining step.
Explanation:
Few chemical reactions occur in single step. While there are many reactions which take place in
more than one steps. If reaction occurs in several steps one of the steps is the slowest. The rate
of this step determines the rate of overall reaction. The slowest step is called rate determining
step or rate limiting step.
Note: The total number of molecules of reacting species taking part in the rate determining
step appear in the rate equation.
Example:
Consider the following reaction.
NO2(g) + CO(g) ⎯⎯→ NO(g) + CO2(g)
The rate equation of this reaction is found to be:
Rate = k[NO2]2
This equation shows that rate of reaction is independent of the concentration of CO. In other
words, the equation gives us information that
i) reaction takes place in more than one step i.e the mechanism of this reaction is
different than as shown in balanced chemical equation.
ii) two molecules of NO2 are involved in the rate determining step.
The proposed mechanism for this reaction is as follows.
slow
NO2(g) + NO2(g) ⎯⎯⎯ → NO3(g) + NO(g)
fast
NO3(g) + CO(g) ⎯⎯⎯ → NO2(g) + CO2(g)
The first step is the slowest step and the rate determing step. So, order of reaction is two with
respect to NO2 but it is independent of CO concentration. NO3 which does not appear in
balanced chemical equation is reaction intermediate.
Reaction Intermediate:
A species which has temporary existence and it is unstable relative to the reactants and
products and does not appear in the balanced chemical equation is called reaction
intermediate.
This is a species with normal bonds and may be stable enough to be isolated under
special conditions.
Example:
In above reaction, NO3 is reaction intermediate.
Limitations of balanced chemical equation with respect to reaction kinetics:
Balance chemical equation does not give us exact information about:
i) Rate of reaction.
ii) Order of reaction.
iii) Rate equation for reaction.
iv) Mechanism of reaction.
v) No. of steps of reaction.
vi) Reaction intermediate.
vii) Rate determining step.

Method for the Measurement of Rate of Chemical Reactions:

There are two methods for the measurement of rate of chemical reaction. They are as follow:
(a) Physical Methods
(b) Chemical Methods
Physical Methods:
(i) Spectrometry:
This method for the measurement of rate of reaction is only applicable if a reactant or a
product absorbs ultraviolet, visible or infrared radiations. The rate of reaction is
measured by measuring the amount of radiation absorbed.
Note: In this method, rate of change in amount of radiations absorbed is equal
to the rate of reaction.
(ii) Electrical Conductivity method:
The rate of reactions which involve ions is measured by the electrical conductivity
method. The conductivity of such a solution depends upon the rate of change of
concentration of the reacting ions or ions which may form during the chemical reaction.
The conductivity will be directly proportional to the rate of change in the
concentration of such ions.
Note: In this method, rate of change of conductivity of reaction mixture is equal
to the rate of reaction.
(iii) Dilatometric Method:
This method is applicable for the measurement of rate of those reactions which involve
small volume change in the solutions. The volume change is directly proportional to the
extent of reaction.
Note: In this method, rate of change of volume of reaction mixture is equal to
the rate of reaction.
(iv) Refractrometric Method:
The method is applicable to reactions in solutions where there are changes in refractive
indices of the substances taking part in the chemical reactions.
Note: In this method, rate of change of refractive indices of reacting substances
is equal to the rate of reaction.
(v) Optical Rotation Method:
In this method, the angle through which plane polarized light is rotated by the reaction
mixture is measured by a polarimeter. The extent of rotation determines the
concentration of optically active substance. If any of the species in the reaction mixture
is optically active, then this method can be followed to find out the rate of reaction.
Note: In this method, rate of change of angle through which plane polarized
light is rotated is equal to the rate of reaction.

Chemical Method:
In chemical method the concentration of reactants and products are analysed
chemically.

Energy of Activation:
The minimum amount of energy which is required for an effective collision leading to
products is called activation energy.
Explanation:
Collision between reactant molecules is a necessary condition for a reaction to take place.
Collisions between reactant molecules are of two types:
i) Ineffective collision:
A collision that does not result in product formation and colliding molecules fly apart as
such is called ineffective collision.

ii) Effective collision:

A collision that results in product formation and colliding molecule fly apart as different
species is called effective collision. Following conditions are required by the colliding
molecules for effective collision.
i) Proper orientation
ii) Proper energy (activation energy = Ea)
The orientation of colliding molecules in which those atoms collide with each other
which are required to form new bonds is called proper orientation. The minimum
amount of energy required by the colliding molecules for effective collision is called
activation energy.
If all the collisions among reacting species at a given temperature are effective forming
the products the reaction is completed in very short time. Most of the reactions are
slow showing that all the collisions are not equally effective.
Transition state (Activated Complex):
Let us study a reaction between molecules A2 and B2 to form a new molecule AB. If these
molecules will have energy equal to or more than the activation energy then upon collisions
their bonds will break and new bonds will be formed. The phenomenon is shown in following
figure:
A-A A ... A A A
+ ... +

...
B-B B... B B B
Collisions of molecules, formation of activated complex and formation of products
Activated complex is a unstable combination of all the atoms involved in the reaction for which
the energy is maximum. It is short lived specie and decomposes into the products immediately.
Since, it has a transient existence, that is why it is also called a transition state.

Energy changes at the time of collision:

When the colliding molecules come close to each other at the time of collision, they slow down
collide and fly apart again. If the collision is effective, then the molecules flying apart are
chemically different otherwise the same molecules just bounce back. When the molecules slow
down just before the collision, their kinetic energy decreases and this results in the
corresponding increase in their potential energy. The process can be understood with the help
of a graph between the path of reaction and potential energy of the reacting molecules.

A graph between path of reaction

and the potential energy of the reaction

The reactants reach the peak of curve to form activated complex. Ea is the energy of
activation and it as potential energy hill between reactants and products.
i) Colliding molecules which have proper energy will be able to climb up the hill and will
give product.
ii) Colliding molecules whose initial kinetic energy is less than Ea will fail to climb up the hill
fall back chemically unchanged.
Exothermic Reaction:
In exothermic reaction, the potential energy of the products is lower than the potential energy
of the reactants. The difference is denoted by ΔH . The value of ΔH depends upon the initial
state (the potential energy of reactants) and final state (the potential energy of products). It
does not depend upon
(i) route (ii) rate and (iii) activation energy of reaction. The reactants require energy
E a which is equal to the activation energy to get the top of barriers. Anyhow, products
1

require energy E a 2 which their activation energy to get to top of higher hill to form
activated state. This energy is more than E a .
1

E a = energy of activation for forward step

1

E a 2 = energy of activation for backward step.

The magnitude of ΔH is also the difference of these two energies of activation.
E a – E a 2 = ΔE or ΔH
1
From this it is clear that for exothermic reactions the activation energy for forward
reaction is less than the activation energy for backward reaction.

Note:
i)  H is the difference of potential energies of products and reactants.
ii)  H is also the difference of activation energy of reactants and products.
Endothermic Reaction:
In endothermic reactions the potential energy of the products is higher than the
potential energy of the reactants and for such reactions a continuous source of energy is
needed to complete the reaction. In such reactions, the enthalpy change ΔH is positive
since energy is absorbed in the reaction. For endothermic reversible reaction, the
energy of activation for forward reaction is greater than the energy of activation for
backward reaction.
Conclusions
Energy of activation for forward and backward reactions are different for all reactions.
(1) For exothermic reaction, energy of activation for forward reaction is less than the
energy of activation for backward reaction.
(2) For endothermic reaction, energy of activation for forward reaction is greater than
the energy of activation for backward reaction.
Finding the order of reaction:
The sum of exponents of the concentration terms in the rate expression of a reaction is
called order of reaction. It can be determined by the following methods.
(i) Method of hit and trial
(ii) Graphical Method
(iii) Differential Method
(iv) Half life method
(v) Method of Large Excess

Half Life Method

t 
log  1 
n=1+  t2 
a 
log  2 
 a1 
So, if we know the two initial concentrations and two half life values we can calculate the order
of reaction (n).
Method Of Large Excess:
In this method one of the reactants is taken in a very small amount as compared to the rest of
the reactants. The active masses of the substances in large excess remain constant throughout.
The substance taken in small amount controls the rate and the order is noted with respect to
that substance. The reason is that a small change in concentration of a substance taken in very
small amount affects the value of rate more appreciably. In this way the reaction is repeated by
taking rest of the substances in small amounts one by one and overall order is calculated.

Factors Affecting the rate of reaction

All those factors which change the number of effective collisions per second, affect the rate of
chemical reactions. Some of the important factors are as follows
1. Nature of reactants
2. Concentration of reactants
3. Surface area
4. Light
5. Effect of temperature on rate of reaction
Nature of Reactants
The rate of reaction depends upon the nature of reacting substances. The reactivity of
substances depends on the electronic arrangements in their outermost orbitals. The substances
which are reactive their rate of reaction is fast while elements which are less reactive their rate
of reaction is show.
Examples:
(i) Elements of IA group have one electron in their outermost s-orbital. They are very
reactive, their rate of reaction with water is very fast.
(ii) Elements of IIA group are less reactive than the IA group elements because they
have two electrons in their outermost shell. Their rate of reaction with water is
slower than the IA group elements.
(iii) The neutralization and double decomposition reactions are very fast as compared
to the reactions in which bonds are rearranged. Oxidation reduction reactions
involve the transfer of electrons and are slower than the ionic reaction.
Concentration of Reactants:
The rate of chemical reactions is directly proportional to concentration of reactants. These
reactions are due to collisions of reactant molecules. The frequency with which the molecules
collide depends upon their concentration. The more crowded the molecules are, the more
likely they are to collide and react with one another. Thus an increase in concentration of
reactants increases the rate of reaction and decrease in concentration of reactants decreases
the rate of reaction.
Surface Area:
With increase in surface area, rate of reactions increases. The reason behind this is that with
increase in surface area, molecules of reacting substances find more chances to collide with
each other.
Examples:
(i) Aluminium foil reacts with NaOH moderately when warmed, but powdered ‘Al’
reacts rapidly with cold NaOH because powdered ‘Al’ has greater surface area.
→ 2NaAl ( OH )4 + 3H 2
2Al + 2NaOH + 6H 2O ⎯⎯
(ii) CaCO3 in the powder form reacts with dilute H2SO4 more efficiently than big pieces
of CaCO3
CaCO3 + H2SO4 ⎯⎯
→ CaSO4 + H2O + CO2
Light:
Light consists of photons. Each photon of light has specific amount of energy associated with it
depending upon its frequency. When the reactants are irradiated, this energy becomes
available to them and rate of reaction is increased.
Example:
(i) The reaction between CH4 and Cl2 requires light.
(ii) Reaction between H2 and Cl2 at ordinary pressure is negligible in darkness and Very
slow in daylight but very explosive in sunlight.
 (iii) Light plays a vital role in photosynthesis reaction and rate is influenced by light.

Effect of Temperature on Rate of Reaction:

The rate of any chemical reaction is directly proportional to the temperature. Each and every
factor which increases the number of effective collisions between molecules increases the
rate of reaction. We know that with increase in temperature, energy of reactants increases and
rate of reaction increases. For a collision to be effective, molecules should possess the
activation energy and they must also be properly oriented. For nearly all chemical reactions,
the activation energy is quite large and at ordinary temperature very few molecules are moving
fast enough to have this minimum energy.
All the molecules of reactant do not possess the same energy at a particular temperature. Most
of the molecules possess average energy. A fraction of total molecules will have energy more
than the average energy. This fraction of molecules is indicated by shaded area in the following
figure.

As the temperature increases, the number of molecules

in this fraction which have energy greater than average
energy also increases. The curve at higher temperature
T2 has flattened. It shows that molecules having higher
energies have increased. So, the number of effective
collisions increases and hence, the rate of reaction also
increases. Kinetic energy distributions for a
reaction mixture at two different
When the temperature of the reacting gases is raised temperatures. The size of the shaded areas
By 10oC, the fraction of molecules with energy more under the curves are proportional to the
total fraction of the molecules that possess
Than activation energy Ea, roughly doubles and so the to minimum activation energy.

Reaction rate also doubles.

Arrhenius Equation:
Arrhenius equation gives us quantitative relationship, between rate constant ‘k’ temperature
‘T’ and activation energy Ea. Arrhenius equation is as follows
 - Ea
k=Ae RT
---------------------(i)
In this equation,
k is rate constant
A is Arrhenius constant
Ea is activation energy
R is general gas constant
T is the absolute temperature
e is the base of natural log
This equation
(i) shows that
i) Rate constant (k) increases with increase in temperature.
ii) Rate constant (k) has smaller value for the reaction whose energy of activation is
greater.
Determination Of Energy Of Activation From Arrhenius Equation:

Ea  1 
logk = -   + logA--------- (iv)
2.303R  T 
This equation (iv) is equation of straight line y = mx + c
Where, y = log k
Ea
Slope , m = -
2.303R
1
x=
T
and
c = logA
Where ‘m’ is slope of straight line and c is intercept of straight line. Temperature is
independent variable while rate constant is dependent variable and other quantities Ea,
and A are constant.
So, graph is plotted between 1/T on x–axis and log k on y-axis and a straight line is
obtained with a negative slope. The graph is shown in figure below.
The slope of this straight line is measured by taking the tan of the angle 'θ' which the
straight line makes with x – axis. To measure the slope, draw a line parallel to x-axis and
measure the angle ‘ θ ’. Take tanθ which is slope and this slope is equal to
Ea
Slope = - ------------------(v)
2.303R
Therefore,
Ea = - slope x 2.303 R-------------(vi)
The straight line of different reactions will have different slope and different Ea values.
The unit of slope is Kelvin:
From equation (v), unit of slope can be determined as:
Jmol-1
slope =
2.303JK -1mol-1
Slope = K
 Assessment 1
𝑑𝑐 𝑑𝑐
1. The specific term (− 𝑑𝑡 ) in a rate equation (Rate of reaction = − 𝑑𝑡 ) refers to the
a. Concentration of the reactant
b. Decrease in concentration of the reactant with time
c. Increase in concentration of the reactant with time
d. Velocity constant of the reaction
2. Which of the following does not influence the rate of reaction
a. Nature of the reactants
b. Concentration of the reactants
c. Temperature of the reaction
d. Molecularity of the reaction
3. The units for the rate constant of first order reaction is
a. s–1
b. mol dm-3 s–1
c. mol s–1
d. dm3 mol–1 s–1
4. In Arrhenius plot to calculate the energy of activation, intercept is equal to
𝐸
a. − 𝑅𝑇𝑎
b. ln A
c. ln k
d. log10a
5. It is experimentally observed that the rate of chemical reaction is almost double for every 10K
rise in temperature because of
a. Increase in the activation energy
b. Decrease in the activation energy
c. Increase in the number of molecular collisions
d. Increase in the number of activated molecules and effective collisions.
6. The radioactive decay proceeds in the way; A → B + e-, the rate law expression is: rate= k [A].
Which of the following statements is incorrect?
a. The reaction follows first order kinetics
b. The t1/2 of reaction depends on initial concentration of reactants
c. k is constant for the reaction at a constant temperature
d. All of these
7. The reaction in which hydrogen peroxide is decomposed to give water and oxygen has the rate
equation; Rate = k [H2O2]. It is assumed to be
a. Zero order reaction
b. First order reaction
c. Second order reaction
d. Third order reaction
8. Arrhenius has studied the quantitative relationship between:
a. Temperature, energy of activation
b. Mass and energy of activation, rate constant
c. Rate constant, energy of activation and temperature
d. Molar mass, temperature and rate constant
9. The unit of rate constant for photochemical reaction between hydrogen and chlorine is:
a. mol dm–3 s–1
b. dm3 mol–1 s–1
c. dm-6 mol–2 s–1
d. s–1
10. The half life for the reaction; 2N2O5 ⟶ 2N2O4 + O2 is
a. Independent of the initial concentration of the reactant
b. Directly proportional to the initial concentration of the reactants
c. Inversely proportional to the initial concentration of the reactant
d. Directly proportional to the square of the initial concentration of the reactant
 Assessment 2
1. A first order reaction involves the 50% decomposition of substance in 15 minutes. The time required for
75% n decomposition of same substance will be
a. 45 mint
b. 15 mint
c. 30 mint
d. 60 mint
2. The half life (t1/2) is inversely proportional to the initial concentration of reactants for a reaction having
the order
a. Zero
b. One
c. Two
d. Three
3. The rate of reaction of alkali metals with water is more than those of alkaline earth metals because of
a. Valence electronic arrangement
b. Concentration
c. Atomic volume
d. Temperature involved
4. When a graph is plotted between 1/T on x-axis and log k on y-axis, a straight line is obtained with a
−𝐸𝑎
negative slope ( ). This line has two ends in
2.303𝑅
a. I and II quadrant
b. II and III quadrant
c. III and IV quadrant
d. II and IV quadrant
5. The method in which the rate of reaction can be measured by measuring the amount of radiation
absorbed
a. Dilatometric method
b. Optical relation method
c. Refractometric method
d. Spectrophotometer method
6. For the photochemical reaction between hydrogen and chlorine, the order of reaction is
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 0
7. The given reaction 2NO + O2 → 2NO2 is carried out in two steps; is an example of:
a. First order reaction
b. Second order reaction
c. Third order reaction
d. None of these
8. When a graph is plotted between 1/T on x-axis and log k on y-axis, a straight line is obtained with a
negative slope. The slope of the Arrhenius equation can be represented as:
a. Ea/2.303 RT
b. −Ea/2.303 RT
c. −Ea/2.303 R
d. −Ea/RT
9. The half life for the reaction is assumed to be one hour. After four hours, the %age of initial product left
untreated is:
a. 3.125%
b. 12.5%
c. 6.25%
d. 25%
10. The factor which affects the number of collisions:
a. Pressure applied
b. Concentration of reacting molecules
c. Temperature
d. All the above
 Assessment 3
1. The physical method in which rate of reaction is determined by measuring the small change in volume
is:
a. Spectrometry
b. Electrical conductivity
c. Dilatometric
d. Refractometeric
2. For the reaction, A + B ⟶ 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡.The order of a reaction is determined to be two with respect to a
reactant A when B is taken in large excess. It shows that
a. The rate of the reaction is proportional to [A]
b. The rate of the reaction is proportional to [A]2
c. Two molecules of B are present in the stoichiometric equation
d. The rate of reaction is proportional to [B]2
3. The reaction for which the order of reaction is in fraction?
a. Chlorination of chloroform to form carbon tetrachloride
b. Photochemical reaction of hydrogen and chlorine
c. Oxidation of nitric oxide with ozone
d. Hydrolysis of tertiary butyl bromide
4. The average rate and instantaneous rate of a reaction are equal:
a. When two rates have a time interval equal to zero
b. At start of the reaction
c. At end of the reaction
d. In middle of the reaction
5. The correct form assigned to find the half life for 3rd order reaction is given as:
0.693
a. [ t1/2] = 𝑘
1
b. [ t1/2] = 𝑘
1
c. [ t1/2] = 𝑘𝑎
1.5
d. [ t1/2] = 𝑘𝑎2
6. Which of the following is not true for the energy of activation?
a. The energy of activation for forward and backward reactions are different for all the
reactions.
b. Energy of activation of forward reaction is more than that of backward reaction for
exothermic reaction.
c. Energy of activation of forward reaction is more than that of backward reaction for
endothermic reaction.
d. Energy of activation of a reaction provides valuable information about the way a
reaction takes place.
7. 2FeCl (aq) + 6KI(aq)→2FeI (aq) + 6KCI(aq) + I2 is an example of:
a. Zero order
b. 1st order
c. 2nd order
d. 3rd order
8. Half life of a first order reaction is 10 mint. What percent of reaction will be completed in 50 mint?
a. 96.87%
b. 75%
c. 50%
d. 25%
𝑑[𝑑𝐵]
9. The rate law of the reaction A + 2B → C is given by 𝑑𝑇
= 𝐾[𝐴][𝐵]2 . If A is taken in excess, the order
of the reaction will be
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 0
10. The rate of the following reaction is not dependent on
A(aq) → B(aq)
a. Pressure
b. Temperature
c. Concentration
d. None of these
 Assessment 4
1. The rate equation for the reaction is given as:
Rate= K[A]2[B]
Which of the following statement corresponds to it?
a. It is second order with respect to A
b. It is first order with respect to B
c. It is third order reaction
d. All of these
2. Catalyst is the specie which accelerate the chemical reaction by
a. Decreasing equilibrium constant
b. Increasing effective collisions
c. Decreasing activation energy
d. Both b and c
3. Which of the following reaction would be the fastest one?
a. NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) →
b. Al + H2O →
c. CH4 + Cl2 →
d. Both a and c
4. What is the half life of third order reaction if K=1 and a = 1.5
a. 6.66 sec
b. 0.66 sec
c. 1 mint 6 sec
d. 16 mint
5. The activation energy of the reaction as determined by plot given by Arrhenius equation in which slope
= -100K
a. 190 KJ
b. 19KJ
c. 1.9KJ
d. 8.3KJ
6. Which of the following techniques for measuring the rate of reaction measures the changes in
refractive index?
a. Spectrometry
b. Optical rotation method
c. Dilatometric method
d. Refractrometric method
7. The rate at which substance reacts depends upon:
a. Atomic mass
b. Molar mass
c. Active mass
d. Average atomic mass
8. The number of molecules must overcome an energy barrier is given by:
a. A
b. K
Ea
c. e−RT
d. Ea
9. If the concentration of reactants is increased by a factor (A), the rate constant K becomes:
a. K
b. KX
𝑘
c. 𝑒 𝑥
d. 𝑘/𝑥
10. The activation energy of the reaction is zero. The rate constant of the reaction
a. Increases with increase of temperature.
b. Decrease with decrease of temperature
c. Decrease with increase of temperature
d. Is nearly independent of temperature.
 KEY
Assessment 1

1. b
2. d
3. a
4. b
5. d
6. b
7. b
8. c
9. a
10. a

Assessment 2

1. c
2. c
3. a
4. d
5. d
6. d
7. c
8. c
9. c
10. d
 KEY
Assessment 3

1. c
2. b
3. a
4. a
5. d
6. b
7. d
8. a
9. b
10. a

Assessment 4

1. d
2. c
3. a
4. b
5. c
6. d
7. c
8. c
9. a
10. d