Chemical Kinetics.
B.Sc-II
(Physical Chemistry)
Prepared by
Prof. Swapnil S. Jadhav

Introduction
Chemical kinetics deals with the rates
of chemical reactions . i.e., how fast a
chemical reaction occurs?
Such studies help to understand the
mechanism through which the reactants are
converted to product.
It is observed that some reactions occur
within a fraction of second, whereas some
reactions take years together for completion.

Consider the following chemical changes,
which occur at different speeds.
i) Rusting of iron:- It is a very slow reaction.
It may take days to months or years together
to undergo complete change.
ii) Digestion of food:- It is a reaction with
medium speed.
Usually the food is digested in 3-4 hours time.
iii)The formation of a white precipitate of silver
chloride, AgCl :-
When AgNO3 is added into aqueous solution
of chloride ions, (Cl–) precipitate of AgCl occurs in
a fraction of second. It is a very fast reaction.

The study of chemical kinetics deals with
the qualitative and quantitative study of:
a) The rates of reaction.
b) The factors affecting rate of reaction.
c) The mechanisms of reactions.
It also explains why some of the
thermodynamically feasible reactions occur
slowly; or do not occur unless initiated by
applying suitable conditions.
For example, burning of wood is a
spontaneous or feasible process according to
thermodynamic laws. But wood cannot burn
itself. It starts burning only after igniting it.

* Third Order Reactions:-
The reaction in which three molecules
are take part in reaction is called Third
Order Reaction.
Hence, Third Order Reactions are
also called termolecular reactions.
Eg.
1) 3A ⟶ product.
2) 2A + B ⟶ product.
3) A + B + C ⟶ product.

Derivation of rate constant :-
Let us consider a simple third order reaction
having equal concentration of all reactants.
3A ⟶ product.
Let, a = initial concentration of reactant ‘A’.
x = concentration of reactant ‘A’ at time ‘t’.
(a–x) = concentration of reactant ‘A’ after time ‘t’.
Then rate law is written as
… (1) K = 3rd order constant.
Rearranging eq.(1) we get,

……….. (2)
Integrating eq.(2)
….. (3) C= constant
At t = 0 , x= 0 & we get,
Put value of C in eq.(3)
dx
(a−x)3 = k. 𝐝𝐭
𝟏
𝟐(a−x)2
= 𝐤𝐭 + 𝐂
C=
𝟏
𝟐a2
𝟏
𝟐(a−x)2
= 𝐤𝐭 +
𝟏
𝟐a2

𝐤𝐭 =
𝟏
𝟐(a−x)2 -
𝟏
𝟐a2
𝐤 =
𝟏
𝟐𝐭
{
𝟏
(a−x)2 -
𝟏
a2 }
Thus,
k =
𝟏
𝟐𝐭
{
𝐱(𝟐𝐚−𝐱)
a2(a−x)2
} …… (4)
Eq(4)represents the expression for rate
constant of third order reaction.
𝐤 =
𝟏
𝟐𝐭
{
a2− a2−𝟐𝐚𝐱+x2
a2(a−x)2 }

* Characteristics of 3rd order reaction:-
1) The velocity constant (k) depends on the unit
of concentration terms.
2) Half–Life of Reaction:
The time (t1/2) for completion of half of the
reaction can be calculated as,
We have, k =
𝟏
𝟐𝒕
{
𝒙(𝟐𝒂−𝒙)
a2(a−x)2 }
Iet =
𝟏
𝟐𝑲
{
𝒙(𝟐𝒂−𝒙)
a2(a−x)2 } …….. (A)
When, t = t1/2, x =
𝒂
𝟐
eq.(A) becomes,

t1/2=
1
2𝑘
{
𝑎
2
(2𝑎−
𝑎
2
)
𝑎2(𝑎−
𝑎
2
)2 }
t1/2=
1
2𝑘
{
𝑎
2
(
3𝑎
2
)
𝑎2(
𝑎
2
)2} =
3
2𝑘𝑎2
Ie.t1/2α
1
𝑎2
Thus, Half–Life time of 3rd order Reaction is
inversely proportional to the square of the
initial concentration of reactant A.

Note:
“Time required for the concentration of a reactant
to decrease to half its initial value is called half life
of reaction.”
Que:-
Show that for 3 𝐫𝐝order reaction, the time
required to complete any definite fraction of the
reaction is inversely proportional to the square of
the initial concentration of reactant.

3) Unit of k:-
We have, k =
𝟏
𝟐𝒕
{
𝒙(𝟐𝒂−𝒙)
a2(a−x)a2 }
k =
𝟏
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
{
(𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏)×(𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏)
( 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏)2×(𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏)2 }
k =
𝟏
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
×
𝟏
( 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏)2 Ie. k=
𝟏
( 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏)2×
𝟏
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
ie. k=(concentration) -2× (time)-1
In C.G.S. unit, k expressed in mol-2.litre2min-1.
In SI. Unit, k expressed in mol−2.(dm3)2.s-1
ormol-2(dm6).s-1.
For nth order k=(concentration)1-n (time)-1

* Examples of third order reaction:-
1) Reaction of nitric oxide with oxygen or hydrogen or
chlorine / bromine.
a) 2NO (g) + O2 (g) ⟶ 2NO2 (g)
b) 2NO (g) + Cl2 (g) ⟶ 2NOCl(g)
c) 2NO (g) + H2 (g) ⟶ N2O (g)+ H2O (g)
2) Oxidation of ferrous sulphate in water.
3) 2FeCl3 (aq) + SnCl2 (aq) ⟶ 2FeCl2 + SnCl4
4) The Reaction between benzoyl chloride and alcohol in
ether solution.
5) The Reaction between iodite and ferric ions in aq.
Solution. Fe+3 (aq) + 2I- (aq) ⟶ product
6) The decomposition of hypobromous acid in the pH
range 6.4 to 7.8

* Method to determine the order of reaction:-
“The number of molecules or atoms whose
concentration changes during the reaction is called
Order of reaction.”
Or “The number of molecules or atoms whose
concentration determines the rate of reaction is
called Order of reaction.”
(1) Van’t Hoff’s differential method (1884):-
This method involves determination of rates
(dc/dt) by measuring slopes of concentration (c) vs.
time (t) curves
For nth order reaction, we have,
….(1). C = concentration.Rate =
–𝒅𝒄
𝒅𝒕
= K.cn

For concentrations, c1& c2 we have,
–𝒅𝒄₁
𝒅𝒕
= k. cn
1…. (2) and
–𝒅𝒄₂
𝒅𝒕
= k. cn
2.... (3)
Taking ratio of the eqns (2) & (3)
−𝒅𝒄1 /𝒅𝒕
−𝒅𝒄2 /𝒅𝒕
= (
𝒄1
𝒄 𝟐
)n ……… (4)
Taking logarithm of the eq. (4)
log
−𝒅𝒄1 /𝒅𝒕
−𝒅𝒄2 /𝒅𝒕
= n log {
𝒄1
𝒄 𝟐
} ……… (5)
Thus order of reaction (n) is calculated as
𝒏 =
𝐥𝐨𝐠(−𝒅𝒄1 /𝒅𝒕) − 𝐥𝐨𝐠(−𝒅𝒄2 /𝒅𝒕)
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒄1 − 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒄2

(2) Integrated rate expression method:-
(1) In thismethod, the values of ‘x’at various time
interval ‘t’ determined experimentally. (x = amount of
reactant decomposed).
(2) These values substituted in rate constant equations
of first, second and third order reactions.
(3) (i) For 1st order reaction, k =
𝟐.𝟑𝟎𝟑
𝒕
log10
𝒂
(𝒂–𝒙)
(ii) For 2nd order Rean, k =
𝟏
𝒕
𝒙
𝒂 (𝐚–𝐱)
(For equal conn)
k =
𝟐.𝟑𝟎𝟑
𝒕(𝒂–𝒃)
log10
𝒃(𝒂–𝒙)
𝒂(𝒃–𝒙)
(For unequal conn)
(iii) For 3rd order Rean, k =
𝟏
𝟐𝒕
𝒙(𝟐𝐚–𝐱)
𝒂² (𝐚–𝐱)²
(For equal conn)

(4) The order of reaction (n) is determined by the
equation which gives satisfactory constant value of
velocity constant (K).
(5) This is method of trial and error but it is
extensively used.

(3) Half-life method (Fractional change method) or
(method of equifractionalparts).
In this method time (t) taken to complete a definite
fraction of the reaction is calculated.
If t = time required for completion of definite fraction of
reaction.
a = initial concentrations of a reactant.
Then,
a) For 1st order reaction, t α
𝟏
𝒂°
ie t is independent on
initial concentration.
b) For 2nd order reaction, t α
𝟏
𝒂
c) For 3rd order reaction,t α
𝟏
𝒂²
d) In general for nth order reaction, t α
𝟏
𝒂ⁿ⁻¹

If, t1& t2 times required for completion of same
fraction of reaction with different initial concna1&
a2respectively. And ‘n’ is order of reaction.
Then,
andie.
Taking log, log10[
𝒕₁
𝒕₂
] = (n–1) log10[
𝒂₂
𝒂₁
]
𝒍𝒐𝒈₁₀
[
𝒕₁
𝒕₂
]
𝒍𝒐𝒈₁₀
[
𝒂₂
𝒂₁
]
= n–1
i.en = 1 +
𝒍𝒐𝒈₁₀
[
𝒕₁
𝒕₂
]
𝒍𝒐𝒈₁₀
[
𝒂₂
𝒂₁
]
…… (A)
[
𝒕₁
𝒕₂
] = [
𝒂₂
𝒂₁
]n–1
t1 α
𝟏
𝒂₁ⁿ⁻¹
t2 α
𝟏
𝒂₂ⁿ⁻¹

To get values of a1 & a2 , plot graph of ‘x’ vs ‘t’
And from eq.(A) ‘n’ can be calculated.

Effect of temperature on the rate of
reaction:-
Rise in temperature 
(1) Initiate the reaction.
(2) Increase the rate of reaction.

(A) Temperature coefficient:-
It has been found that generally rate of reaction
and rate constant increases with increase in temperature.
For homogeneous reaction, rate and rate (velocity)
constant of reaction get approximately doubled or tripled
for every 100 C rise in temperature. This is generally
expressed in the form of temperature coefficient.
“The ratio of rate constants of a reaction at two
different temperatures which differ by 100c is called
temperature coefficient.”
Where,
Kt = velocity constant at t0c. Kt+10 = velocity constant at t0c
Temperature coefficient =
𝑲(𝒕+𝟏𝟎)
𝑲𝒕
≈ 2 or 3

(B) Arrhenius Equation:-
Arrhenius suggested as simple relationship
between the rate constant (k) and the temperature (T)
Eq. (1) is called the Arrhenius equation.
A = constant called frequency factor.
K = velocity constant. R = gas constant.
Ea= activation energy. T = Absolute temperature.
E = logarithmic base = 2.718
Alternately we can write,
k=A.e–Ea/RT ….... (1)
𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒆
𝒌
𝒅𝒕
=
𝑬a
𝑹𝑻²
……. (2)

Integrating eqn (2), we get, Assume Ea as constant.
or ... (3)
C & C’ are constants
Now,log10k =
–𝑬a
𝟐.𝟑𝟎𝟑𝑹
×
𝟏
𝑻
+ C’
Is a eqn of straight line. ie.y = mx + c
Hence, graph of logeK vs
𝟏
𝑻
, is a straight line.
Slop = m =
− 𝑬a
𝟐.𝟑𝟎𝟑 𝑹
Ea= – 2.303 × R × slop
loge k =
–𝑬a
𝑹𝑻
+ C log10 k =
–𝑬a
𝟐.𝟑𝟎𝟑𝑹𝑻
+ C’

On integrating eqn (2) between the limit
K = K1 at T = T1 and K = K2 at T = T2
We get,
log10
𝒌₂
𝒌₁
=
𝑬a
𝟐.𝟑𝟎𝟑𝑹
[
𝟏
𝑻₁
–
𝟏
𝑻₂
]
Ie. log10
𝒌₂
𝒌₁
=
𝑬a
𝟐.𝟑𝟎𝟑𝑹
[
𝑻₂– 𝑻₁
𝑻₁. 𝑻₂
]
From this equation, Eacan be calculated.

(C) Energy of activation (Ea ):-
According to concept of activation, reactant does not
pass directly to product.
Arrhenius suggested that, before react, colliding
molecule must be activated by absorbing minimum
amount of energy called Activation energy.
Astemperature increases the number of such active
molecules also increases.
Thus,“the minimum amount of energy
required for the collision between the molecules to
be effective is called Energy of activation.”

Energy of activation (Ea) can be calculated by
Arrhenius equation as,
𝒍𝒐𝒈𝓮 𝒌
𝒅𝒕
=
𝑬𝒂
𝑹𝑻²
Orlog10
𝒌₂
𝒌₁
=
𝑬𝒂
𝟐.𝟑𝟎𝟑𝑹
[
𝑻₂– 𝑻₁
𝑻₁. 𝑻₂
]
Energy of activation (Ea) depends on the nature of
reactants.
* Slow reactions have high Ea.
* Fast reactions have low Ea.

Collision Theory Of Chemical Kinetics (Or)
Kinetic Molecular Theory Of Rates Of
Reactions:- (Max Trautzb and William Lewis)
1) This theory is based on kinetic theory of gases.
2) According to this theory, to occur chemical
reactions there should be collision between
reacting molecules.
3) However all the collisions are not effective to
produce chemical change.

4) Hence, Arrhenius suggested that, before
formation of product colliding molecule must be
activated by absorbing minimum amount of
energy called Activation energy (Ea).
So that they can pass over energy barrier existing
between reactants and product. (fig A)

5) If reacting molecule colloids with insufficient
energy can’t pass over the energy barrier.
However if the reacting molecule colloids with
sufficient energy can pass over the energy barrier &
get activated. And hence converted into product.
(Fig B)

6) This Threshold Energyor minimum energy
necessary to allow a reaction to occur is called
energy of activation (Ea).
Thus energy of activation is the minimum energy
required for the collision between the molecules
to be effective.
7) Slowreactions have high Eawhile Fastreactions
have low Ea.
8) As temperature increases, effective collision
increase. Hence activated molecule increases and
rate of reaction increases.
Note:- The magnitude of Ea depends on the
nature of reactants.

Transition state theory or Activated complex
theory or Theory of absolute reaction rate:-
(Henry Erying 1935)
1) This theory is applicable to gas and liquid
phase reaction. It is very complicated theory.
2) According to this theory, “Before
reacting molecules changes into products,
they form transition state or activated
complex which is unstable and decompose to
form product.”

3) In this theory it is supposed that, as two
reacting approach each other, their potential
energy increases and reaches to maximum.(fig).

4) This lead to the formation of activated
complex. This activated complex is unstable and
decomposes to form product or collapse back
into reactants. (Fig)

5) Example: Consider the reaction X + YZ  XY + Z
Initially P.E. (E1) is unaffected because X and YZ are far
away from each other. When X approaches to YZ, the P.E.
increases and reaches to maximum (fig), which corresponds
to activated complex X-Y-Z. This activated complex is
unstable and decomposes to form product XY and P.E. drop
to E2.
Note:
The minimum amount of energy required by the colliding
molecules to yield the products is called Threshold Energy.
Energy of activation Ea= P.E. of activated complex - P.E. of reactants

Thus,k =
𝟏
𝟐𝒕
{
𝒙(𝟐𝒂−𝒙)
a2(a−x)2
} …… (4)
Eq.(4) represents the expression for rate constant
of third order reaction.

Thank You