(i) What is meant by half-life period of a reaction? (ii) By deriving the equation for t1/2 of first-order reaction,

Question

For a first-order reaction, the half-life period (t_1/2) is independent of initial concentration of its reacting species. 

(i) What is meant by half-life period of a reaction?

(ii) By deriving the equation for t_1/2 of first-order reaction, prove that it is independent of initial concentration of its reacting species.

[Hint: Fora first ortler reaction,

 k = \(\frac{2.303}{t}\) log \(\frac{[R]_0}{[R]}\)

Answer 1

i) The half-life period of a reaction is the time in which the concentration of a reactant is reduced to one half of its initial concentration,

ii) For a first order reaction,

Thus, for a first order reaction, half-life period is constant, i.e., it is independent of initial concentration of the reacting species.