Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can explain why the shape of a concentration–time graph depends on the order of the reaction. (Guide: “From a rate law to a concentration–time graph”)
- I can state which plot is straight for a zero-, first- and second-order reaction. (Guide: “The three integrated rate laws”; Practice Q1)
- I can explain why the half-life of a first-order reaction does not depend on the starting concentration. (Guide: “Half-life”; Practice Q7)
- I can explain why radioactive decay is a first-order process. (Guide: “Radioactive decay”; Practice Q7)
- I can describe how the half-life changes as the reaction goes on for zero- and second-order reactions. (Guide: Worked examples 1 and 3; Practice Q6)
Calculation
- I can make ln[A] and 1/[A] columns from data and use constant differences to find the order. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q5)
- I can find k, with the right sign and units, from the slope of the straight-line plot. (Practice Q1, Q3, Q5)
- I can use an integrated rate law to find a concentration at a given time, converting time units first. (Practice Q4)
- I can use t½ = 0.693/k, and count half-lives to find the amount left. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q2)
- I can find the time needed to reach a given concentration for any of the three orders. (Guide: Worked example 3; Practice Q4, Q6)
Reasoning
- I can justify a claim about reaction order with values calculated from data, not only a description of the graph. (Practice Q5)
- I can evaluate a claim that k or the half-life changes during a reaction. (Practice Q6, Q7)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 5.4, Elementary Reactions, or return to the course roadmap.