A reaction is said to be first order when its rate depends on the concentration of only one reactant raised to the power one.
For the given case, the rate of reaction is directly proportional to the concentration of N2O5.
\(\text{Rate} \propto [N_2O_5]\)
This means that if the concentration of N2O5 is doubled, the rate of reaction also doubles, and if it is halved, the rate becomes half.
This direct proportionality confirms that the reaction follows first-order kinetics.
Hence, the reaction is first order because its rate is proportional to [N2O5].
The Order of reaction refers to the relationship between the rate of a chemical reaction and the concentration of the species taking part in it. In order to obtain the reaction order, the rate equation of the reaction will given in the question.