In the reaction 2HgO(s) --> 2Hg(l) + O2(g) we measure the evolution of gas to determine the rate of reaction. At the beginning of the reaction (at 0 minutes), 0.02 L of O2 is present. After 20 minutes the volume of O2 is 0.36 L. What is the rate of reaction?
Question 4 options:
0.001 L/min
0.017 L/min
0.022 L/min
0.330 L/min
To determine the rate of reaction in this case, we need to calculate the change in volume of O2 gas over the given time interval.
The formula to calculate the rate of reaction is:
Rate of reaction = (Change in concentration / Time interval)
In this case, we are given the changes in volume of O2 gas instead of concentration. However, since the reaction takes place at constant temperature and pressure, we can assume that volume is directly proportional to concentration.
So, we can reframe the formula as:
Rate of reaction = (Change in volume / Time interval)
To find the change in volume, we subtract the initial volume from the final volume:
Change in volume = Final volume - Initial volume
= 0.36 L - 0.02 L
= 0.34 L
Time interval = 20 minutes - 0 minutes
= 20 minutes
Now, substitute the values into the formula:
Rate of reaction = (0.34 L / 20 minutes)
= 0.017 L/min
Therefore, the rate of reaction is 0.017 L/min.
The correct answer is "0.017 L/min."