During this reaction, #P_4 + 5O_2 -> P_4O_10#, 1.5 moles of product were made in 30 seconds. What is the rate of reaction?

1 Answer
Jul 15, 2016

The rate of reaction is the rate of formation of #"P"_4"O"_10#.

Explanation:

For the reaction #"P"_4 +"5O"_2→ "P"_4"O"_10#, the rate of reaction is defined as

#color(blue)(|bar(ul(color(white)(a/a) "rate" = -1/1(Δ["P"_4])/(Δt) = -1/5(Δ["O"_2])/(Δt) = +1/1(Δ["P"_4"O"_10])/(Δt)color(white)(a/a)|)))" "#

If the volume of the container is 1 L,

#"rate" = +(Δ"P"_4"O"_10)/(Δt) = +("1.5 mol/L")/("30 s") = "0.050 mol·L"^"-1""s"^"-1"#