Question

Describe how visible spectroscopy could be used to determine the order of a reaction in which a single colorless reactant produces a colored product

Answer 1

In a reaction, where, one of the reactant produces a colored product, visible spectroscopy can be used to determined the order of a reaction, the change in concentration of the reactant which forms the colored product is determined by absorbance measurement over time. The data for the concentration and time are plotted on the y and x axis and If we get a straight line it is a zero-order reaction. If instead, a plot of ln[concentration] versus time gives a straight line, it is a first order reaction. However, If 1/concentration versus time gives a straight line, it is a second order reaction kinetics. The other reactants may be changed while keeping this reactant as constant and change on rate of the reaction is observed to see If the other reactant affects the reaction or not.