Half-life from graphs

Hi. The equation k=In2/t1/2 is only used to calculate the rate of a first order reaction ONLY. you can't use this equation for any other order. This equation is used, because as you probably know, the half life remains constant in a first rate reaction, so basically the half life will always be 50s each time.

In a zero order reaction, the half life decreases as the reaction goes on.
And in a second, the half life increases when the reaction goes on.

I hope I've explained your question to some extent. Try checking out the link below:
http://www.knockhardy.org.uk/sci_htm_files/15kinet.pdf

Thanks, I thought I had to work something out. Is the half life still the same if you have to use the starting and end mass/concentration?

I'm not quite sure what you're trying to say. Could you elaborate?

For 1st order, yes, the half life will be the same for each mass/conc.
But for zero, the half life will decrease and for the second order, it will increase, each time you calculate the half life as the reaction goes on. So no, the half life will not be the same for starting and final mass/concentration if it is not a first order reaction.

Therefore, for the second graph, measure the first two half lives. if it is the same then the half life of the initial and final conc will be the same, because it will be a 1st order reaction. If not, analyse whether the half life increased or decreased and carry on from there.

When measuring the half life, if the line starts for example at 50, you need to draw a line from 25, until it hit the lines and draw the line down to fine the time, then do the same for 12.5, then 6.25. (you may know this already but the first graph was not following this pattern, so I'm just making sure you understand).

Is this any clearer?

Yes - a lot clearer. Thanks!

Hi. The equation k=In2/t1/2 is only used to calculate the rate of a first order reaction ONLY. you can't use this equation for any other order. This equation is used, because as you probably know, the half life remains constant in a first rate reaction, so basically the half life will always be 50s each time.

In a zero order reaction, the half life decreases as the reaction goes on.
And in a second, the half life increases when the reaction goes on.

I hope I've explained your question to some extent. Try checking out the link below:
http://www.knockhardy.org.uk/sci_htm_files/15kinet.pdf

For 1st order, yes, the half life will be the same for each mass/conc.
But for zero, the half life will decrease and for the second order, it will increase, each time you calculate the half life as the reaction goes on. So no, the half life will not be the same for starting and final mass/concentration if it is not a first order reaction.

Therefore, for the second graph, measure the first two half lives. if it is the same then the half life of the initial and final conc will be the same, because it will be a 1st order reaction. If not, analyse whether the half life increased or decreased and carry on from there.

When measuring the half life, if the line starts for example at 50, you need to draw a line from 25, until it hits the line and draw the line down to find the time, then do the same for 12.5, then 6.25. (you may know this already but the first graph was not following this pattern, so I'm just making sure you understand).

Is this any clearer?