Related Formula
k = (1)/(t) ln (P₀)/(P₀ - x)$$k = \frac{1}{t} \ln \frac{P_0}{P_0 - x} $$
where P₀$P_0$ is the initial pressure of reactant A$\text{A}$, and x$x$ is the change in pressure at time t$t$.
Core Logic
Let's establish the ice table for total pressure calculation:
arrayrccc & A(g) & arrow & B(g) & + & C(g) At t=0: & P₀ & & 0 & & 0 At t=t: & P₀ - x & & x & & x At t=∞: & 0 & & P₀ & & P₀ array$$\begin{array}{rccc}
& \text{A}(g) & \rightarrow & \text{B}(g) & + & \text{C}(g) \
\text{At } t=0: & P_0 & & 0 & & 0 \
\text{At } t=t: & P_0 - x & & x & & x \
\text{At } t=\infty: & 0 & & P_0 & & P_0
\end{array} $$
From the data given at t = ∞$t = \infty$:
P_∞ = P₀ + P₀ = 2P₀ P₀ = (P_∞)/(2)$$P_\infty = P_0 + P_0 = 2P_0 \implies P_0 = \frac{P_\infty}{2} $$
From the data given at time t$t$:
Pₜ = (P₀ - x) + x + x = P₀ + x$$P_t = (P_0 - x) + x + x = P_0 + x $$
x = Pₜ - P₀ = Pₜ - (P_∞)/(2)$$x = P_t - P_0 = P_t - \frac{P_\infty}{2} $$
Step 1: Algebraic Substitution
Now, compute the amount of reactant remaining at time t$t$:
P₀ - x = (P_∞)/(2) - (Pₜ - (P_∞)/(2)) = P_∞ - Pₜ$$P_0 - x = \frac{P_\infty}{2} - \left(P_t - \frac{P_\infty}{2}\right) = P_\infty - P_t$$
Substitute P₀$P_0$ and (P₀ - x)$(P_0 - x)$ back into the primary kinetic expression:
k = (1)/(t) ln ((P_∞)/(2))/(P_∞ - Pₜ) = (1)/(t) ln (P_∞)/(2(P_∞ - Pₜ))$$k = \frac{1}{t} \ln \frac{\frac{P_\infty}{2}}{P_\infty - P_t} = \frac{1}{t} \ln \frac{P_\infty}{2(P_\infty - P_t)} $$
Pattern Recognition
For a standard gaseous decomposition A arrow nB + mC$\text{A} \rightarrow n\text{B} + m\text{C}$, tracking the infinite pressure P_∞$P_\infty$ offers a clean mapping to initial reactant amounts. Since 1 mole of gas generates 2 moles of product gas here, P₀$P_0$ is exactly half of P_∞$P_\infty$.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Chemistry: Chemical Kinetics