Chemical Kinetics - Result Question 70

69. The gas phase decomposition of dimethyl ether follows first order kinetics

$ CH _3-O-CH _3(g) \longrightarrow CH _4(g)+H _2(g)+CO(g) $

The reaction is carried out in a constant volume container at $500^{\circ} $ $C$ and has a half-life of $14.5$ $ min$. Initially only dimethyl ether is present at a pressure of $0.40 $ $atm$. What is the total pressure of the system after $12$ $ min$ ? Assume ideal gas behaviour.

$(1993,4 M)$

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Answer:

Correct Answer: 69. $(0.75 $ $atm)$

Solution:

  1. $CH _3-O-CH _3(g) \longrightarrow CH _4(g)+H _2(g)+CO(g)$

At $12$ min : $0.40-p \hspace {20mm} p \hspace {18mm} p \hspace {15mm} p$

Total pressure $=0.4+2 p$

Also $k \times 12=\ln \dfrac{0.40}{0.40-p}=\dfrac{\ln 2}{14.5} \times 12=1.77 \Rightarrow p=0.175$

$\Rightarrow$ Total pressure $=0.4+2 p=0.4+2 \times 0.175=0.75$ $ atm$