Which from following is the slope of the graph of rate versus concentration of the reactant for first order reaction?
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Logic Tip: Do not confuse this with the graph of $\log[\text{Reactant}]$ versus Time ($t$), which yields a slope of $\frac{-k}{2.303}$. Pay close attention to what is plotted on the axes! "Rate vs Concentration" is always a simple linear relationship for first-order kinetics.
Concept:
For a first-order chemical reaction, the rate of the reaction is directly proportional to the first power of the concentration of the reactant.
The rate law equation is expressed as:
$$\text{Rate} = k[\text{Reactant}]^1$$
where $k$ is the rate constant.
Step 1: Compare the rate law to the equation of a straight line.
We are looking for the graph of Rate (on the y-axis) versus Concentration (on the x-axis).
Let $y = \text{Rate}$ and $x = [\text{Reactant}]$.
The rate law becomes:
$$y = k \cdot x$$
This equation is in the form of a straight line passing through the origin:
$$y = mx + c$$
where the y-intercept $c = 0$, and the slope of the line is $m$.
Step 2: Identify the slope.
Comparing $y = kx$ with $y = mx$, we can clearly see that the slope $m$ is equal to the rate constant $k$.
$$\text{Slope} = k$$