3.5 ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATIONS transition series of elements. This starts from OF ELEMENTS AND THE PERIODIC scandium (Z = 21) which has the electronic TABLE configuration 3d14s2. The 3d orbitals are filled In the preceding unit we have learnt that an at zinc (Z=30) with electronic configuration electron in an atom is characterised by a set 3d104s2. The fourth period ends at krypton of four quantum numbers, and the principal with the filling up of the 4p orbitals. Altogether quantum number (n ) defines the main energy we have 18 elements in this fourth period. The level known as shell. We have also studied fifth period (n = 5) beginning with rubidium about the filling of electrons into different is similar to the fourth period and contains subshells, also referred to as orbitals (s, p, the 4d transition series starting at yttrium (Z = 39). This period ends at xenon with thed, f ) in an atom. The distribution of electrons filling up of the 5p orbitals. The sixth periodinto orbitals of an atom is called its electronic configuration. An element’s location in the (n = 6) contains 32 elements and successive electrons enter 6s, 4f, 5d and 6p orbitals, inPeriodic Table reflects the quantum numbers the order — filling up of the 4f orbitals beginsof the last orbital filled. In this section we with cerium (Z = 58) and ends at lutetiumwill observe a direct connection between the (Z = 71) to give the 4f-inner transition serieselectronic configurations of the elements and which is called the lanthanoid series. Thethe long form of the Periodic Table. seventh period (n = 7) is similar to the sixth (a) Electronic Configurations in Periods period with the successive filling up of the 7s, 5f, 6d and 7p orbitals and includes mostThe period indicates the value of n for the of the man-made radioactive elements. Thisoutermost or valence shell. In other words, period will end at the element with atomicsuccessive period in the Periodic Table is number 118 which would belong to the nobleassociated with the filling of the next higher gas family. Filling up of the 5f orbitals afterprincipal energy level (n = 1, n = 2, etc.). It can 82 chemistry actinium (Z = 89) gives the 5f-inner transition a theoretical foundation for the periodic series known as the actinoid series. The 4f- classification. The elements in a vertical column and 5f-inner transition series of elements of the Periodic Table constitute a group or are placed separately in the Periodic Table family and exhibit similar chemical behaviour. to maintain its structure and to preserve the This similarity arises because these elements principle of classification by keeping elements have the same number and same distribution with similar properties in a single column. of electrons in their outermost orbitals. We can classify the elements into four blocks viz., Problem 3.2 s-block, p-block, d-block and f-block How would you justify the presence depending on the type of atomic orbitals that of 18 elements in the 5th period of the are being filled with electrons. This is illustrated Periodic Table? in Fig. 3.3. We notice two exceptions to this Solution categorisation. Strictly, helium belongs to the s-block but its positioning in the p-block When n = 5, l = 0, 1, 2, 3. The order along with other group 18 elements is in which the energy of the available justified because it has a completely filled orbitals 4d, 5s and 5p increases is 5s < 4d < 5p. The total number of orbitals valence shell (1s2) and as a result, exhibits available are 9. The maximum number properties characteristic of other noble gases. of electrons that can be accommodated The other exception is hydrogen. It has only is 18; and therefore 18 elements are one s-electron and hence can be placed in there in the 5th period. group 1 (alkali metals). It can also gain an electron to achieve a noble gas (b) Groupwise Electronic Configurations arrangement and hence it can behave similar to a group 17 (halogen family)Elements in the same vertical column or elements. Because it is a special case, wegroup have similar valence shell electronic shall place hydrogen separately at the top ofconfigurations, the same number of electrons the Periodic Table as shown in Fig. 3.2 andin the outer orbitals, and similar properties. Fig. 3.3. We will briefly discuss the salientFor example, the Group 1 elements (alkali metals) all have ns1 valence shell electronic features of the four types of elements marked in configuration as shown below. the Periodic Table. More about these elements Atomic number Symbol Electronic configuration 3 Li 1s22s1 (or) [He]2s1 11 Na 1s22s22p63s1 (or) [Ne]3s1 19 K 1s22s22p63s23p64s1 (or) [Ar]4s1 37 Rb 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p65s1 (or) [Kr]5s1 55 Cs 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p64d105s25p66s1 (or) [Xe]6s1 87 Fr [Rn]7s1 Thus it can be seen that the properties of will be discussed later. During the description an element have periodic dependence upon of their features certain terminology has been its atomic number and not on relative atomic used which has been classified in section 3.7. mass. 3.6.1 The s-Block Elements3.6 ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATIONS A N D T Y P E S O F E L E M E N T S : The elements of Group 1 (alkali metals) and s-, p-, d-, f- BLOCKS Group 2 (alkaline earth metals) which have The aufbau (build up) principle and the ns1 and ns2 outermost electronic configuration electronic configuration of atoms provide belong to the s-Block Elements. They are all Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties 83 Og Ts Mc that Nh ). METALS ( orbitalsinto the on elements of METALLOIDS based and ) Tabledivision broad ( Periodicthe theis in shown NON-METALS Also), elements of filled. types being Theare( 3.3 Fig. 84 chemistry reactive metals with low ionization enthalpies. valence (oxidation states), paramagnetism and They lose the outermost electron(s) readily to oftenly used as catalysts. However, Zn, Cd and form 1+ ion (in the case of alkali metals) or 2+ Hg which have the electronic configuration, ion (in the case of alkaline earth metals). The (n-1) d10ns2 do not show most of the properties metallic character and the reactivity increase of transition elements. In a way, transition as we go down the group. Because of high metals form a bridge between the chemically reactivity they are never found pure in nature. active metals of s-block elements and the The compounds of the s-block elements, with less active elements of Groups 13 and 14 and thus take their familiar name “Transitionthe exception of those of lithium and beryllium Elements”.are predominantly ionic. 3.6.4 The f-Block Elements3.6.2 The p-Block Elements (Inner-Transition Elements) The p-Block Elements comprise those The two rows of elements at the bottom ofbelonging to Group 13 to 18 and these the Periodic Table, called the Lanthanoids,together with the s-Block Elements are Ce(Z = 58) – Lu(Z = 71) and Actinoids,called the Representative Elements or Main Th(Z = 90) – Lr (Z = 103) are characterised by Group Elements. The outermost electronic the outer electronic configuration (n-2)f1-14 configuration varies from ns2np1 to ns2np6 (n-1)d0–1ns2. The last electron added to each in each period. At the end of each period is element is filled in f- orbital. These two series a noble gas element with a closed valence of elements are hence called the Inner- shell ns2np6 configuration. All the orbitals Transition Elements (f-Block Elements). in the valence shell of the noble gases are They are all metals. Within each series, the completely filled by electrons and it is very properties of the elements are quite similar. difficult to alter this stable arrangement by The chemistry of the early actinoids is the addition or removal of electrons. The more complicated than the corresponding lanthanoids, due to the large number ofnoble gases thus exhibit very low chemical oxidation states possible for these actinoidreactivity. Preceding the noble gas family elements. Actinoid elements are radioactive.are two chemically important groups of non- Many of the actinoid elements have been mademetals. They are the halogens (Group 17) and only in nanogram quantities or even less bythe chalcogens (Group 16). These two groups nuclear reactions and their chemistry is not of elements have highly negative electron fully studied. The elements after uranium are gain enthalpies and readily add one or two called Transuranium Elements. electrons respectively to attain the stable noble gas configuration. The non-metallic Problem 3.3 character increases as we move from left to The elements Z = 117 and 120 have not yetright across a period and metallic character been discovered. In which family/group increases as we go down the group. would you place these elements and also give the electronic configuration in3.6.3 The d-Block Elements (Transition each case. Elements) SolutionThese are the elements of Group 3 to 12 in the centre of the Periodic Table. These are We see from Fig. 3.2, that element characterised by the filling of inner d orbitals with Z = 117, would belong to the halogen family (Group 17) and theby electrons and are therefore referred to as electronic configuration would be [Rn]d-Block Elements. These elements have 5f146d107s27p5. The element with Z = 120,the general outer electronic configuration will be placed in Group 2 (alkaline earth (n-1)d1-10ns0-2 except for Pd where its electronic metals), and will have the electronic configuration is 4d105s0.. They are all metals. configuration [Uuo]8s2. They mostly form coloured ions, exhibit variable Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties 85 3.6.5 Metals, Non-metals and Metalloids SolutionIn addition to displaying the classification Metallic character increases down aof elements into s-, p-, d-, and f-blocks, group and decreases along a period asFig. 3.3 shows another broad classification we move from left to right. Hence the of elements based on their properties. The order of increasing metallic character elements can be divided into Metals and is: P < Si < Be < Mg < Na. Non-Metals. Metals comprise more than 78% of all known elements and appear on 3.7 PERIODIC TRENDS IN PROPERTIES the left side of the Periodic Table. Metals are OF ELEMENTS usually solids at room temperature [mercury There are many observable patterns in theis an exception; gallium and caesium also physical and chemical properties of elements have very low melting points (303K and as we descend in a group or move across a 302K, respectively)]. Metals usually have high period in the Periodic Table. For example, melting and boiling points. They are good within a period, chemical reactivity tends to conductors of heat and electricity. They are be high in Group 1 metals, lower in elements malleable (can be flattened into thin sheets by towards the middle of the table, and increases hammering) and ductile (can be drawn into to a maximum in the Group 17 non-metals. wires). In contrast, non-metals are located at Likewise within a group of representative the top right hand side of the Periodic Table. metals (say alkali metals) reactivity increases In fact, in a horizontal row, the property of on moving down the group, whereas within a elements change from metallic on the left to group of non-metals (say halogens), reactivity non-metallic on the right. Non-metals are decreases down the group. But why do the usually solids or gases at room temperature properties of elements follow these trends? with low melting and boiling points (boron And how can we explain periodicity? To and carbon are exceptions). They are poor answer these questions, we must look into the conductors of heat and electricity. Most non- theories of atomic structure and properties metallic solids are brittle and are neither of the atom. In this section we shall discuss malleable nor ductile. The elements become the periodic trends in certain physical and more metallic as we go down a group; the chemical properties and try to explain them non-metallic character increases as one goes in terms of number of electrons and energy from left to right across the Periodic Table. levels. The change from metallic to non-metallic 3.7.1 Trends in Physical Propertiescharacter is not abrupt as shown by the thick There are numerous physical properties ofzig-zag line in Fig. 3.3. The elements (e.g., elements such as melting and boiling points,silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony and heats of fusion and vaporization, energytellurium) bordering this line and running of atomization, etc. which show periodicdiagonally across the Periodic Table show variations. However, we shall discuss theproperties that are characteristic of both periodic trends with respect to atomic andmetals and non-metals. These elements are ionic radii, ionization enthalpy, electron gaincalled Semi-metals or Metalloids. enthalpy and electronegativity. Problem 3.4 (a) Atomic Radius Considering the atomic number and You can very well imagine that finding the position in the periodic table, arrange size of an atom is a lot more complicated than the following elements in the increasing measuring the radius of a ball. Do you know order of metallic character : Si, Be, Mg, why? Firstly, because the size of an atom Na, P. (~ 1.2 Å i.e., 1.2 × 10–10 m in radius) is very 86 chemistry small. Secondly, since the electron cloud The atomic radii of a few elements are listed surrounding the atom does not have a sharp in Table 3.6. Two trends are obvious. We can boundary, the determination of the atomic explain these trends in terms of nuclear charge size cannot be precise. In other words, there and energy level. The atomic size generally is no practical way by which the size of an decreases across a period as illustrated in individual atom can be measured. However, Fig. 3.4(a) for the elements of the second an estimate of the atomic size can be made by period. It is because within the period the knowing the distance between the atoms in outer electrons are in the same valence shell the combined state. One practical approach to and the effective nuclear charge increases estimate the size of an atom of a non-metallic as the atomic number increases resulting in element is to measure the distance between the increased attraction of electrons to the two atoms when they are bound together nucleus. Within a family or vertical column by a single bond in a covalent molecule and of the periodic table, the atomic radius from this value, the “Covalent Radius” of the increases regularly with atomic number as element can be calculated. For example, the illustrated in Fig. 3.4(b). For alkali metals bond distance in the chlorine molecule (Cl2) and halogens, as we descend the groups, is 198 pm and half this distance (99 pm), is the principal quantum number (n) increases taken as the atomic radius of chlorine. For and the valence electrons are farther frommetals, we define the term “Metallic Radius” the nucleus. This happens because the innerwhich is taken as half the internuclear energy levels are filled with electrons, whichdistance separating the metal cores in the serve to shield the outer electrons from themetallic crystal. For example, the distance pull of the nucleus. Consequently the size ofbetween two adjacent copper atoms in solid the atom increases as reflected in the atomiccopper is 256 pm; hence the metallic radius radii.of copper is assigned a value of 128 pm. For simplicity, in this book, we use the term Note that the atomic radii of noble gases Atomic Radius to refer to both covalent or are not considered here. Being monoatomic, metallic radius depending on whether the their (non-bonded radii) values are very element is a non-metal or a metal. Atomic large. In fact radii of noble gases should be radii can be measured by X-ray or other compared not with the covalent radii but with spectroscopic methods. the van der Waals radii of other elements. Table 3.6(a) Atomic Radii/pm Across the Periods Atom (Period II) Li Be B C N O F Atomic radius 152 111 88 77 74 66 64 Atom (Period III) Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Atomic radius 186 160 143 117 110 104 99 Table 3.6(b) Atomic Radii/pm Down a Family Atom Atomic Atom Atomic (Group I) Radius (Group 17) Radius Li 152 F 64 Na 186 Cl 99 K 231 Br 114 Rb 244 I 133 Cs 262 At 140 Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties 87 Fig. 3.4 (a) Variation of atomic radius with atomic Fig. 3.4 (b) Variation of atomic radius with number across the second period atomic number for alkali metals and halogens (b) Ionic Radius cation with the greater positive charge will have a smaller radius because of the greaterThe removal of an electron from an atom attraction of the electrons to the nucleus.results in the formation of a cation, whereas Anion with the greater negative charge willgain of an electron leads to an anion. The have the larger radius. In this case, the netionic radii can be estimated by measuring repulsion of the electrons will outweigh thethe distances between cations and anions nuclear charge and the ion will expand in size.in ionic crystals. In general, the ionic radii of elements exhibit the same trend as the Problem 3.5atomic radii. A cation is smaller than its parent atom because it has fewer electrons Which of the following species will have while its nuclear charge remains the same. the largest and the smallest size? Mg, Mg2+, Al, Al3+.The size of an anion will be larger than that of the parent atom because the addition of one Solution or more electrons would result in increased Atomic radii decrease across a period. repulsion among the electrons and a decrease Cations are smaller than their parent in effective nuclear charge. For example, the atoms. Among isoelectronic species, ionic radius of fluoride ion (F–) is 136 pm the one with the larger positive nuclear whereas the atomic radius of fluorine is only charge will have a smaller radius. 64 pm. On the other hand, the atomic radius Hence the largest species is Mg; the of sodium is 186 pm compared to the ionic smallest one is Al3+. radius of 95 pm for Na+. When we find some atoms and ions which (c) Ionization Enthalpy contain the same number of electrons, we call A quantitative measure of the tendency of them isoelectronic species*. For example, an element to lose electron is given by its O2–, F–, Na+ and Mg2+ have the same number Ionization Enthalpy. It represents the of electrons (10). Their radii would be different energy required to remove an electron from an because of their different nuclear charges. The isolated gaseous atom (X) in its ground state. * Two or more species with same number of atoms, same number of valence electrons and same structure, regardless of the nature of elements involved. 88 chemistry In other words, the first ionization enthalpy for an element X is the enthalpy change (∆i H) for the reaction depicted in equation 3.1. X(g) → X+(g) + e– (3.1) The ionization enthalpy is expressed in units of kJ mol–1. We can define the second ionization enthalpy as the energy required to remove the second most loosely bound electron; it is the energy required to carry out the reaction shown in equation 3.2. X+(g) → X2+(g) + e– (3.2) Energy is always required to remove Fig. 3.5 Variation of first ionization enthalpieselectrons from an atom and hence ionization (∆iH) with atomic number for elementsenthalpies are always positive. The second with Z = 1 to 60ionization enthalpy will be higher than the first ionization enthalpy because it is more can be correlated with their high reactivity. difficult to remove an electron from a positively In addition, you will notice two trends the charged ion than from a neutral atom. In the first ionization enthalpy generally increases same way the third ionization enthalpy will be as we go across a period and decreases higher than the second and so on. The term as we descend in a group. These trends “ionization enthalpy”, if not qualified, is taken are illustrated in Figs. 3.6(a) and 3.6(b) as the first ionization enthalpy. respectively for the elements of the second The first ionization enthalpies of elements period and the first group of the periodic having atomic numbers up to 60 are plotted table. You will appreciate that the ionization in Fig. 3.5. The periodicity of the graph is enthalpy and atomic radius are closely related quite striking. You will find maxima at the properties. To understand these trends, we noble gases which have closed electron shells have to consider two factors : (i) the attraction and very stable electron configurations. On of electrons towards the nucleus, and (ii) the the other hand, minima occur at the alkali repulsion of electrons from each other. The metals and their low ionization enthalpies effective nuclear charge experienced by a 3.6 (a) 3.6 (b) Fig. 3.6(a) First ionization enthalpies (∆iH) of elements of the second period as a function of atomic number (Z) and Fig. 3.6(b) ∆iH of alkali metals as a function of Z. Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties 89 valence electron in an atom will be less than the 2s electrons of beryllium. Therefore, it is the actual charge on the nucleus because of easier to remove the 2p-electron from boron “shielding” or “screening” of the valence compared to the removal of a 2s- electron from electron from the nucleus by the intervening beryllium. Thus, boron has a smaller first core electrons. For example, the 2s electron ionization enthalpy than beryllium. Another in lithium is shielded from the nucleus by “anomaly” is the smaller first ionization the inner core of 1s electrons. As a result, the enthalpy of oxygen compared to nitrogen. This valence electron experiences a net positive arises because in the nitrogen atom, three charge which is less than the actual charge 2p-electrons reside in different atomic orbitals of +3. In general, shielding is effective when (Hund’s rule) whereas in the oxygen atom, the orbitals in the inner shells are completely two of the four 2p-electrons must occupy the filled. This situation occurs in the case of same 2p-orbital resulting in an increased alkali metals which have single outermost electron-electron repulsion. Consequently, ns-electron preceded by a noble gas electronic it is easier to remove the fourth 2p-electron configuration. from oxygen than it is, to remove one of the When we move from lithium to fluorine three 2p-electrons from nitrogen. across the second period, successive electrons are added to orbitals in the same principal Problem 3.6 quantum level and the shielding of the nuclear The first ionization enthalpy (∆i H ) values charge by the inner core of electrons does of the third period elements, Na, Mg and not increase very much to compensate for Si are respectively 496, 737 and 786 kJ the increased attraction of the electron to the mol–1. Predict whether the first ∆i H value nucleus. Thus, across a period, increasing for Al will be more close to 575 or 760 kJ nuclear charge outweighs the shielding. mol–1 ? Justify your answer. Consequently, the outermost electrons are Solution held more and more tightly and the ionization It will be more close to 575 kJ mol–1.enthalpy increases across a period. As we go The value for Al should be lower thandown a group, the outermost electron being that of Mg because of effective shielding increasingly farther from the nucleus, there is of 3p electrons from the nucleus by an increased shielding of the nuclear charge 3s-electrons. by the electrons in the inner levels. In this case, increase in shielding outweighs the (d) Electron Gain Enthalpy increasing nuclear charge and the removal of When an electron is added to a neutralthe outermost electron requires less energy gaseous atom (X) to convert it into a negativedown a group. ion, the enthalpy change accompanying the From Fig. 3.6(a), you will also notice that process is defined as the Electron Gain the first ionization enthalpy of boron (Z = 5) Enthalpy (∆egH). Electron gain enthalpyis slightly less than that of beryllium (Z = 4) provides a measure of the ease with which even though the former has a greater nuclear an atom adds an electron to form anion as charge. When we consider the same principal represented by equation 3.3. quantum level, an s-electron is attracted to the X(g) + e– → X –(g) (3.3)nucleus more than a p-electron. In beryllium, the electron removed during the ionization is Depending on the element, the process an s-electron whereas the electron removed of adding an electron to the atom can be during ionization of boron is a p-electron. The either endothermic or exothermic. For many penetration of a 2s-electron to the nucleus is elements energy is released when an electron more than that of a 2p-electron; hence the 2p is added to the atom and the electron gain electron of boron is more shielded from the enthalpy is negative. For example, group nucleus by the inner core of electrons than 17 elements (the halogens) have very high 90 chemistry Table 3.7 Electron Gain Enthalpies* / (kJ mol–1) of Some Main Group Elements Group 1 ∆egH Group 16 ∆egH Group 17 ∆egH Group 0 ∆egH H – 73 He + 48 Li – 60 O – 141 F – 328 Ne + 116 Na – 53 S – 200 Cl – 349 Ar + 96 K – 48 Se – 195 Br – 325 Kr + 96 Rb – 47 Te – 190 I – 295 Xe + 77 Cs – 46 Po – 174 At – 270 Rn + 68 negative electron gain enthalpies because they can attain stable noble gas electronic Problem 3.7 configurations by picking up an electron. Which of the following will have the most On the other hand, noble gases have large negative electron gain enthalpy and positive electron gain enthalpies because the which the least negative? electron has to enter the next higher principal P, S, Cl, F. quantum level leading to a very unstable Explain your answer. electronic configuration. It may be noted that Solution electron gain enthalpies have large negative Electron gain enthalpy generallyvalues toward the upper right of the periodic becomes more negative across atable preceding the noble gases. period as we move from left to right. The variation in electron gain enthalpies of Within a group, electron gain enthalpy elements is less systematic than for ionization becomes less negative down a group. enthalpies. As a general rule, electron gain However, adding an electron to the enthalpy becomes more negative with increase 2p-orbital leads to greater repulsion in the atomic number across a period. The than adding an electron to the larger effective nuclear charge increases from left to 3p-orbital. Hence the element with right across a period and consequently it will most negative electron gain enthalpy is be easier to add an electron to a smaller atom chlorine; the one with the least negative since the added electron on an average would electron gain enthalpy is phosphorus. be closer to the positively charged nucleus. We should also expect electron gain enthalpy to (e) Electronegativity become less negative as we go down a group A qualitative measure of the ability of an atombecause the size of the atom increases and in a chemical compound to attract sharedthe added electron would be farther from the electrons to itself is called electronegativity.nucleus. This is generally the case (Table Unlike ionization enthalpy and electron gain3.7). However, electron gain enthalpy of O or enthalpy, it is not a measureable quantity.F is less negative than that of the succeeding However, a number of numerical scales ofelement. This is because when an electron is added to O or F, the added electron goes to electronegativity of elements viz., Pauling the smaller n = 2 quantum level and suffers scale, Mulliken-Jaffe scale, Allred-Rochow significant repulsion from the other electrons scale have been developed. The one which present in this level. For the n = 3 quantum is the most widely used is the Pauling scale. level (S or Cl), the added electron occupies Linus Pauling, an American scientist, in 1922 a larger region of space and the electron- assigned arbitrarily a value of 4.0 to fluorine, electron repulsion is much less. the element considered to have the greatest * In many books, the negative of the enthalpy change for the process depicted in equation 3.3 is defined as the ELECTRON AFFINITY (Ae ) of the atom under consideration. If energy is released when an electron is added to an atom, the electron affinity is taken as positive, contrary to thermodynamic convention. If energy has to be supplied to add an electron to an atom, then the electron affinity of the atom is assigned a negative sign. However, electron affinity is defined as absolute zero and, therefore at any other temperature (T) heat capacities of the reactants and the products have to be taken into account in ∆egH = –Ae – 5/2 RT. Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties 91 ability to attract electrons. Approximate On the same account electronegativity values values for the electronegativity of a few decrease with the increase in atomic radii elements are given in Table 3.8(a) down a group. The trend is similar to that of ionization enthalpy. The electronegativity of any given element Knowing the relationship betweenis not constant; it varies depending on the electronegativity and atomic radius, canelement to which it is bound. Though it is you now visualise the relationship betweennot a measurable quantity, it does provide a electronegativity and non-metallic properties?means of predicting the nature of force that Non-metallic elements have strong tendencyholds a pair of atoms together – a relationship that you will explore later. Electronegativity generally increases across a period from left to right (say from lithium to fluorine) and decrease down a group (say from fluorine to astatine) in the periodic table. How can these trends be explained? Can the electronegativity be related to atomic radii, which tend to decrease across each period from left to right, but increase down each group ? The attraction between the outer (or valence) electrons and the nucleus increases as the atomic radius decreases in a period. The electronegativity also increases. Fig. 3.7 The periodic trends of elements in the periodic table Table 3.8(a) Electronegativity Values (on Pauling scale) Across the Periods Atom (Period II) Li Be B C N O F Electronegativity 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 Atom (Period III) Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Electronegativity 0.9 1.2 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.5 3.0 Table 3.8(b) Electronegativity Values (on Pauling scale) Down a Family Atom Electronegativity Atom Electronegativity (Group I) Value (Group 17) Value Li 1.0 F 4.0 Na 0.9 Cl 3.0 K 0.8 Br 2.8 Rb 0.8 I 2.5 Cs 0.7 At 2.2 92 chemistry to gain electrons. Therefore, electronegativity is with outer electronic configuration 2s22p5, directly related to that non-metallic properties shares one electron with oxygen in the OF2 of elements. It can be further extended to say molecule. Being highest electronegative that the electronegativity is inversely related element, fluorine is given oxidation state to the metallic properties of elements. Thus, –1. Since there are two fluorine atoms in the increase in electronegativities across this molecule, oxygen with outer electronic a period is accompanied by an increase configuration 2s22p4 shares two electrons in non-metallic properties (or decrease in with fluorine atoms and thereby exhibits metallic properties) of elements. Similarly, the oxidation state +2. In Na2O, oxygen being decrease in electronegativity down a group is more electronegative accepts two electrons, accompanied by a decrease in non-metallic one from each of the two sodium atoms and, properties (or increase in metallic properties) thus, shows oxidation state –2. On the other of elements. hand sodium with electronic configuration All these periodic trends are summarised 3s1 loses one electron to oxygen and is given in Figure 3.7. oxidation state +1. Thus, the oxidation state of an element in a particular compound can 3.7.2 Periodic Trends in Chemical be defined as the charge acquired by its atom Properties on the basis of electronegative consideration Most of the trends in chemical properties of from other atoms in the molecule. elements, such as diagonal relationships, inert pair effect, effects of lanthanoid contraction Problem 3.8 etc. will be dealt with along the discussion Using the Periodic Table, predict the of each group in later units. In this section formulas of compounds which might we shall study the periodicity of the valence be formed by the following pairs of state shown by elements and the anomalous elements; (a) silicon and bromine properties of the second period elements (from (b) aluminium and sulphur. lithium to fluorine). Solution (a) Periodicity of Valence or Oxidation (a) Silicon is group 14 element with States a valence of 4; bromine belongs to the halogen family with a valenceThe valence is the most characteristic property of 1. Hence the formula of theof the elements and can be understood in compound formed would be SiBr4.terms of their electronic configurations. The (b) Aluminium belongs to groupvalence of representative elements is usually 13 with a valence of 3; sulphur(though not necessarily) equal to the number belongs to group 16 elements withof electrons in the outermost orbitals and/or a valence of 2. Hence, the formulaequal to eight minus the number of outermost of the compound formed would be electrons as shown below. Al2S3. Nowadays the term oxidation state is Some periodic trends observed in thefrequently used for valence. Consider the valence of elements (hydrides and oxides)two oxygen containing compounds: OF2 and are shown in Table 3.9. Other such periodicNa2O. The order of electronegativity of the trends which occur in the chemical behaviourthree elements involved in these compounds of the elements are discussed elsewhere inis F > O > Na. Each of the atoms of fluorine, Group 1 2 13 14 15 16 17 18 Number of valence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 electron alence 1 2 3 4 3,5 2,6 1,7 0,8 Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties 93 Table 3.9 Periodic Trends in Valence of Elements as shown by the Formulas of Their Compounds Group 1 2 13 14 15 16 17 Formula of LiH CaH2 B2H6 CH4 NH3 H2O HF hydride NaH AlH3 SiH4 PH3 H2S HCl KH GeH4 AsH3 H2Se HBr SnH4 H2Te HI Formula Li2O MgO B2O3 CO2 N2O3, N2O5 – of oxide Na2O CaO Al2O3 SiO2 P4O6, P4O10 SO3 Cl2 O7 SrO K2O Ga2O3 GeO2 As2O3, As2O5 SeO3 – BaO In2O3 SnO2 Sb2O3, Sb2O5 TeO3 – PbO2 Bi2O3 – – this book. There are many elements which the second element of the following group exhibit variable valence. This is particularly i.e., magnesium and aluminium, respectively. characteristic of transition elements and This sort of similarity is commonly referred actinoids, which we shall study later. to as diagonal relationship in the periodic properties. (b) Anomalous Properties of Second Period Elements What are the reasons for the different chemical behaviour of the first member ofThe first element of each of the groups 1 a group of elements in the s- and p-blocks(lithium) and 2 (beryllium) and groups 13-17 compared to that of the subsequent members(boron to fluorine) differs in many respects in the same group? The anomalous behaviourfrom the other members of their respective is attributed to their small size, large charge/group. For example, lithium unlike other radius ratio and high electronegativity of the alkali metals, and beryllium unlike other elements. In addition, the first member of alkaline earth metals, form compounds with group has only four valence orbitals (2s and pronounced covalent character; the other 2p) available for bonding, whereas the second members of these groups predominantly member of the groups have nine valence form ionic compounds. In fact the behaviour orbitals (3s, 3p, 3d). As a consequence of of lithium and beryllium is more similar with this, the maximum covalency of the first member of each group is 4 (e.g., boron Property Element can only form  BF4 , whereas the other members of the groups can expand their Metallic radius M/pm Li Be B valence shell to accommodate more than 152 111 88 four pairs of electrons e.g., aluminium forms). Furthermore, the first Na Mg Al  AlF6 3  186 160 143 member of p-block elements displays greater ability to form pπ – pπ multiple Ionic radius M+/pm Li Be bonds to itself (e.g., C = C, C ≡ C, 76 31 N = N, N ≡ Ν) and to other second period Na Mg elements (e.g., C = O, C = N, C ≡ N, 102 72 N = O) compared to subsequent members of the same group. 94 chemistry here it can be directly related to the metallic Problem 3.9 and non-metallic character of elements. Thus, Are the oxidation state and covalency of the metallic character of an element, which Al in [AlCl(H2O)5]2+ same ? is highest at the extremely left decreases and Solution the non-metallic character increases while moving from left to right across the period. No. The oxidation state of Al is +3 and the covalency is 6. The chemical reactivity of an element can be best shown by its reactions with oxygen and 3.7.3 Periodic Trends and Chemical halogens. Here, we shall consider the reaction Reactivity of the elements with oxygen only. Elements on two extremes of a period easily combineWe have observed the periodic trends in with oxygen to form oxides. The normal oxidecertain fundamental properties such as formed by the element on extreme left is theatomic and ionic radii, ionization enthalpy, most basic (e.g., Na2O), whereas that formedelectron gain enthalpy and valence. We know by now that the periodicity is related to by the element on extreme right is the most electronic configuration. That is, all chemical acidic (e.g., Cl2O7). Oxides of elements in the and physical properties are a manifestation of centre are amphoteric (e.g., Al2O3, As2O3) or the electronic configuration of elements. We neutral (e.g., CO, NO, N2O). Amphoteric oxides shall now try to explore relationships between behave as acidic with bases and as basic with these fundamental properties of elements with acids, whereas neutral oxides have no acidic their chemical reactivity. or basic properties. The atomic and ionic radii, as we know, Problem 3.10generally decrease in a period from left to right. As a consequence, the ionization enthalpies Show by a chemical reaction with water that Na2O is a basic oxide and Cl2O7 isgenerally increase (with some exceptions as an acidic oxide.outlined in section 3.7.1(a)) and electron gain enthalpies become more negative across a Solution period. In other words, the ionization enthalpy Na2O with water forms a strong base of the extreme left element in a period is the whereas Cl2O7 forms strong acid. least and the electron gain enthalpy of the Na2O + H2O → 2NaOH element on the extreme right is the highest Cl2O7 + H2O → 2HClO4 negative (note : noble gases having completely Their basic or acidic nature can befilled shells have rather positive electron qualitatively tested with litmus paper.gain enthalpy values). This results into high chemical reactivity at the two extremes and the lowest in the centre. Thus, the maximum Among transition metals (3d series), the chemical reactivity at the extreme left (among change in atomic radii is much smaller as alkali metals) is exhibited by the loss of an compared to those of representative elements electron leading to the formation of a cation across the period. The change in atomic radii and at the extreme right (among halogens) is still smaller among inner-transition metals shown by the gain of an electron forming (4f series). The ionization enthalpies are an anion. This property can be related with intermediate between those of s- and p-blocks. the reducing and oxidizing behaviour of the As a consequence, they are less electropositive elements which you will learn later. However, than group 1 and 2 metals. Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties 95 In a group, the increase in atomic and increases down the group and non-metallic ionic radii with increase in atomic number character decreases. This trend can be related generally results in a gradual decrease in with their reducing and oxidizing property ionization enthalpies and a regular decrease which you will learn later. In the case of (with exception in some third period elements transition elements, however, a reverse trend as shown in section 3.7.1(d)) in electron is observed. This can be explained in terms of gain enthalpies in the case of main group atomic size and ionization enthalpy. elements. Thus, the metallic character SUMMARY In this Unit, you have studied the development of the Periodic Law and the Periodic Table. Mendeleev’s Periodic Table was based on atomic masses. Modern Periodic Table arranges the elements in the order of their atomic numbers in seven horizontal rows (periods) and eighteen vertical columns (groups or families). Atomic numbers in a period are consecutive, whereas in a group they increase in a pattern. Elements of the same group have similar valence shell electronic configuration and, therefore, exhibit similar chemical properties. However, the elements of the same period have incrementally increasing number of electrons from left to right, and, therefore, have different valencies. Four types of elements can be recognized in the periodic table on the basis of their electronic configurations. These are s-block, p-block, d-block and f-block elements. Hydrogen with one electron in the 1s orbital occupies a unique position in the periodic table. Metals comprise more than seventy eight per cent of the known elements. Non-metals, which are located at the top of the periodic table, are less than twenty in number. Elements which lie at the border line between metals and non-metals (e.g., Si, Ge, As) are called metalloids or semi-metals. Metallic character increases with increasing atomic number in a group whereas decreases from left to right in a period. The physical and chemical properties of elements vary periodically with their atomic numbers. Periodic trends are observed in atomic sizes, ionization enthalpies, electron gain enthalpies, electronegativity and valence. The atomic radii decrease while going from left to right in a period and increase with atomic number in a group. Ionization enthalpies generally increase across a period and decrease down a group. Electronegativity also shows a similar trend. Electron gain enthalpies, in general, become more negative across a period and less negative down a group. There is some periodicity in valence, for example, among representative elements, the valence is either equal to the number of electrons in the outermost orbitals or eight minus this number. Chemical reactivity is highest at the two extremes of a period and is lowest in the centre. The reactivity on the left extreme of a period is because of the ease of electron loss (or low ionization enthalpy). Highly reactive elements do not occur in nature in free state; they usually occur in the combined form. Oxides formed of the elements on the left are basic and of the elements on the right are acidic in nature. Oxides of elements in the centre are amphoteric or neutral. 96 chemistry Exercises 3.1 What is the basic theme of organisation in the periodic table? 3.2 Which important property did Mendeleev use to classify the elements in his periodic table and did he stick to that? 3.3 What is the basic difference in approach between the Mendeleev’s Periodic Law and the Modern Periodic Law? 3.4 On the basis of quantum numbers, justify that the sixth period of the periodic table should have 32 elements. 3.5 In terms of period and group where would you locate the element with Z =114? 3.6 Write the atomic number of the element present in the third period and seventeenth group of the periodic table. 3.7 Which element do you think would have been named by (i) Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (ii) Seaborg’s group? 3.8 Why do elements in the same group have similar physical and chemical properties? 3.9 What does atomic radius and ionic radius really mean to you? 3.10 How do atomic radius vary in a period and in a group? How do you explain the variation? 3.11 What do you understand by isoelectronic species? Name a species that will be isoelectronic with each of the following atoms or ions. (i) F– (ii) Ar (iii) Mg2+ (iv) Rb+ 3.12 Consider the following species : N3–, O2–, F–, Na+, Mg2+ and Al3+ (a) What is common in them? (b) Arrange them in the order of increasing ionic radii. 3.13 Explain why cation are smaller and anions larger in radii than their parent atoms? 3.14 What is the significance of the terms — ‘isolated gaseous atom’ and ‘ground state’ while defining the ionization enthalpy and electron gain enthalpy? Hint : Requirements for comparison purposes. 3.15 Energy of an electron in the ground state of the hydrogen atom is –2.18×10–18J. Calculate the ionization enthalpy of atomic hydrogen in terms of J mol–1. Hint: Apply the idea of mole concept to derive the answer. 3.16 Among the second period elements the actual ionization enthalpies are in the order Li < B < Be < C < O < N < F < Ne. Explain why (i) Be has higher ∆i H than B (ii) O has lower ∆i H than N and F? Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties 97 3.17 How would you explain the fact that the first ionization enthalpy of sodium is lower than that of magnesium but its second ionization enthalpy is higher than that of magnesium? 3.18 What are the various factors due to which the ionization enthalpy of the main group elements tends to decrease down a group? 3.19 The first ionization enthalpy values (in kJ mol–1) of group 13 elements are : B Al Ga In Tl 801 577 579 558 589 How would you explain this deviation from the general trend ? 3.20 Which of the following pairs of elements would have a more negative electron gain enthalpy? (i) O or F (ii) F or Cl 3.21 Would you expect the second electron gain enthalpy of O as positive, more negative or less negative than the first? Justify your answer. 3.22 What is the basic difference between the terms electron gain enthalpy and electronegativity? 3.23 How would you react to the statement that the electronegativity of N on Pauling scale is 3.0 in all the nitrogen compounds? 3.24 Describe the theory associated with the radius of an atom as it (a) gains an electron (b) loses an electron 3.25 Would you expect the first ionization enthalpies for two isotopes of the same element to be the same or different? Justify your answer. 3.26 What are the major differences between metals and non-metals? 3.27 Use the periodic table to answer the following questions. (a) Identify an element with five electrons in the outer subshell. (b) Identify an element that would tend to lose two electrons. (c) Identify an element that would tend to gain two electrons. (d) Identify the group having metal, non-metal, liquid as well as gas at the room temperature. 3.28 The increasing order of reactivity among group 1 elements is Li < Na < K < Rb <Cs whereas that among group 17 elements is F > CI > Br > I. Explain. 3.29 Write the general outer electronic configuration of s-, p-, d- and f- block elements. 3.30 Assign the position of the element having outer electronic configuration (i) ns2np4 for n=3 (ii) (n-1)d2ns2 for n=4, and (iii) (n-2) f 7 (n-1)d1ns2 for n=6, in the periodic table. 98 chemistry 3.31 The first (∆iH1) and the second (∆iH2) ionization enthalpies (in kJ mol–1) and the (∆egH) electron gain enthalpy (in kJ mol–1) of a few elements are given below: Elements ∆H1 ∆H2 ∆egH I 520 7300 –60 II 419 3051 –48 III 1681 3374 –328 IV 1008 1846 –295 V 2372 5251 +48 VI 738 1451 –40 Which of the above elements is likely to be : (a) the least reactive element. (b) the most reactive metal. (c) the most reactive non-metal. (d) the least reactive non-metal. (e) the metal which can form a stable binary halide of the formula MX2(X=halogen). (f) the metal which can form a predominantly stable covalent halide of the formula MX (X=halogen)? 3.32 Predict the formulas of the stable binary compounds that would be formed by the combination of the following pairs of elements. (a) Lithium and oxygen (b) Magnesium and nitrogen (c) Aluminium and iodine (d) Silicon and oxygen (e) Phosphorus and fluorine (f) Element 71 and fluorine 3.33 In the modern periodic table, the period indicates the value of : (a) atomic number (b) atomic mass (c) principal quantum number (d) azimuthal quantum number. 3.34 Which of the following statements related to the modern periodic table is incorrect? (a) The p-block has 6 columns, because a maximum of 6 electrons can occupy all the orbitals in a p-shell. (b) The d-block has 8 columns, because a maximum of 8 electrons can occupy all the orbitals in a d-subshell. (c) Each block contains a number of columns equal to the number of electrons that can occupy that subshell. (d) The block indicates value of azimuthal quantum number (l) for the last subshell that received electrons in building up the electronic configuration. Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties 99 3.35 Anything that influences the valence electrons will affect the chemistry of the element. Which one of the following factors does not affect the valence shell? (a) Valence principal quantum number (n) (b) Nuclear charge (Z ) (c) Nuclear mass (d) Number of core electrons. 3.36 The size of isoelectronic species — F–, Ne and Na+ is affected by (a) nuclear charge (Z ) (b) valence principal quantum number (n) (c) electron-electron interaction in the outer orbitals (d) none of the factors because their size is the same. 3.37 Which one of the following statements is incorrect in relation to ionization enthalpy? (a) Ionization enthalpy increases for each successive electron. (b) The greatest increase in ionization enthalpy is experienced on removal of electron from core noble gas configuration. (c) End of valence electrons is marked by a big jump in ionization enthalpy. (d) Removal of electron from orbitals bearing lower n value is easier than from orbital having higher n value. 3.38 Considering the elements B, Al, Mg, and K, the correct order of their metallic character is : (a) B > Al > Mg > K (b) Al > Mg > B > K (c) Mg > Al > K > B (d) K > Mg > Al > B 3.39 Considering the elements B, C, N, F, and Si, the correct order of their non-metallic character is : (a) B > C > Si > N > F (b) Si > C > B > N > F (c) F > N > C > B > Si (d) F > N > C > Si > B 3.40 Considering the elements F, Cl, O and N, the correct order of their chemical reactivity in terms of oxidizing property is : (a) F > Cl > O > N (b) F > O > Cl > N (c) Cl > F > O > N (d) O > F > N > Cl Unit 4 CHEMICAL BONDING AND MOLECULAR STRUCTURE Scientists are constantly discovering new compounds, orderly arranging the facts about them, trying to explain with the existing knowledge, organising to modify the earlier views or evolve theories for explaining the newly After studying this Unit, you will be observed facts. able to • understand Kössel-Lewis approach to chemical bonding; • explain the octet rule and its Matter is made up of one or different type of elements. limitations, draw Lewis structures Under normal conditions no other element exists as an of simple molecules; independent atom in nature, except noble gases. However, • explain the formation of different a group of atoms is found to exist together as one species types of bonds; having characteristic properties. Such a group of atoms is called a molecule. Obviously there must be some force • describe the VSEPR theory and which holds these constituent atoms together in the predict the geometry of simple molecules. The attractive force which holds various molecules; constituents (atoms, ions, etc.) together in different • explain the valence bond chemical species is called a chemical bond. Since the approach for the formation of formation of chemical compounds takes place as a result of covalent bonds; combination of atoms of various elements in different ways, • predict the directional properties it raises many questions. Why do atoms combine? Why are of covalent bonds; only certain combinations possible? Why do some atoms combine while certain others do not? Why do molecules• explain the different types of hybridisation involving s, p and possess definite shapes? To answer such questions different d orbitals and draw shapes of theories and concepts have been put forward from time simple covalent molecules; to time. These are Kössel-Lewis approach, Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory, Valence Bond (VB)• describe the molecular orbital theory of homonuclear diatomic Theory and Molecular Orbital (MO) Theory. The evolution molecules; of various theories of valence and the interpretation of the nature of chemical bonds have closely been related to • explain the concept of hydrogen the developments in the understanding of the structure bond. of atom, the electronic configuration of elements and the periodic table. Every system tends to be more stable and bonding is nature’s way of lowering the energy of the system to attain stability. Reprint 2025-26 Chemical Bonding And Molecular Structure 101

5.23 Give the oxidation state, d orbital occupation and coordination number of the central metal ion in the following complexes: (i) K3[Co(C2O4)3] (iii) (NH4)2[CoF4] (ii) cis-[CrCl2(en)2]Cl (iv) [Mn(H2O)6]SO4

2.10 The conductivity of sodium chloride at 298 K has been determined at different concentrations and the results are given below: Concentration/M 0.001 0.010 0.020 0.050 0.100 102 × k/S m–1 1.237 11.85 23.15 55.53 106.74 Calculate Λm for all concentrations and draw a plot between Λm and c½. Find the value of 0m . 2.11 Conductivity of 0.00241 M acetic acid is 7.896 × 10–5 S cm–1. Calculate its molar conductivity. If 0m for acetic acid is 390.5 S cm2 mol–1, what is its dissociation constant? 2.12 How much charge is required for the following reductions: (i) 1 mol of Al3+ to Al? (ii) 1 mol of Cu2+ to Cu? (iii) 1 mol of MnO4– to Mn2+? 2.13 How much electricity in terms of Faraday is required to produce (i) 20.0 g of Ca from molten CaCl2? (ii) 40.0 g of Al from molten Al2O3? 2.14 How much electricity is required in coulomb for the oxidation of (i) 1 mol of H2O to O2? (ii) 1 mol of FeO to Fe2O3? 2.15 A solution of Ni(NO3)2 is electrolysed between platinum electrodes using a current of 5 amperes for 20 minutes. What mass of Ni is deposited at the cathode? 2.16 Three electrolytic cells A,B,C containing solutions of ZnSO4, AgNO3 and CuSO4, respectively are connected in series. A steady current of 1.5 amperes was passed through them until 1.45 g of silver deposited at the cathode of cell B. How long did the current flow? What mass of copper and zinc were deposited? 2.17 Using the standard electrode potentials given in Table 3.1, predict if the reaction between the following is feasible: (i) Fe3+(aq) and I–(aq) (ii) Ag+ (aq) and Cu(s) (iii) Fe3+ (aq) and Br– (aq) (iv) Ag(s) and Fe 3+ (aq) (v) Br2 (aq) and Fe2+ (aq). 2.18 Predict the products of electrolysis in each of the following: (i) An aqueous solution of AgNO3 with silver electrodes. (ii) An aqueous solution of AgNO3 with platinum electrodes. (iii) A dilute solution of H2SO4 with platinum electrodes. (iv) An aqueous solution of CuCl2 with platinum electrodes. Answers to Some Intext Questions 2.5 E(cell) = 0.91 V 2.6 ∆ rG o = −45.54 kJ mol −1 , Kc = 9.62 ×107 2.9 0.114, 3.67 × 10–4 mol L–1 Chemistry 60 Reprint 2025-26 UnitUnitUnit Unit33Unit Objectives ChemicalChemical KineticsKinetics After studying this Unit, you will be able to · define the average and Chemical Kinetics helps us to understand how chemical reactions instantaneous rate of a reaction; occur. · express the rate of a reaction in terms of change in concentration Chemistry, by its very nature, is concerned with change. of either of the reactants or Substances with well defined properties are converted products with time; by chemical reactions into other substances with · distinguish between elementary different properties. For any chemical reaction, chemists and complex reactions; try to find out · differentiate between the (a) the feasibility of a chemical reaction which can be molecularity and order of a reaction; predicted by thermodynamics ( as you know that a · define rate constant; reaction with DG < 0, at constant temperature and pressure is feasible);· discuss the dependence of rate of reactions on concentration, (b) extent to which a reaction will proceed can be temperature and catalyst; determined from chemical equilibrium; · derive integrated rate equations (c) speed of a reaction i.e. time taken by a reaction to for the zero and first order reach equilibrium. reactions; Along with feasibility and extent, it is equally · determine the rate constants for important to know the rate and the factors controlling zeroth and first order reactions; the rate of a chemical reaction for its complete · describe collision theory. understanding. For example, which parameters determine as to how rapidly food gets spoiled? How to design a rapidly setting material for dental filling? Or what controls the rate at which fuel burns in an auto engine? All these questions can be answered by the branch of chemistry, which deals with the study of reaction rates and their mechanisms, called chemical kinetics. The word kinetics is derived from the Greek word ‘kinesis’ meaning movement. Thermodynamics tells only about the feasibility of a reaction whereas chemical kinetics tells about the rate of a reaction. For example, thermodynamic data indicate that diamond shall convert to graphite but in reality the conversion rate is so slow that the change is not perceptible at all. Therefore, most people think Reprint 2025-26 that diamond is forever. Kinetic studies not only help us to determine the speed or rate of a chemical reaction but also describe the conditions by which the reaction rates can be altered. The factors such as concentration, temperature, pressure and catalyst affect the rate of a reaction. At the macroscopic level, we are interested in amounts reacted or formed and the rates of their consumption or formation. At the molecular level, the reaction mechanisms involving orientation and energy of molecules undergoing collisions, are discussed. In this Unit, we shall be dealing with average and instantaneous rate of reaction and the factors affecting these. Some elementary ideas about the collision theory of reaction rates are also given. However, in order to understand all these, let us first learn about the reaction rate. 3.13.13.13.13.1 RateRateRateRateRate ofofofofof aaaaa Some reactions such as ionic reactions occur very fast, for example, ChemicalChemicalChemicalChemicalChemical precipitation of silver chloride occurs instantaneously by mixing of aqueous solutions of silver nitrate and sodium chloride. On the other ReactionReactionReactionReactionReaction hand, some reactions are very slow, for example, rusting of iron in the presence of air and moisture. Also there are reactions like inversion of cane sugar and hydrolysis of starch, which proceed with a moderate speed. Can you think of more examples from each category? You must be knowing that speed of an automobile is expressed in terms of change in the position or distance covered by it in a certain period of time. Similarly, the speed of a reaction or the rate of a reaction can be defined as the change in concentration of a reactant or product in unit time. To be more specific, it can be expressed in terms of: (i) the rate of decrease in concentration of any one of the reactants, or (ii) the rate of increase in concentration of any one of the products. Consider a hypothetical reaction, assuming that the volume of the system remains constant. R ® P One mole of the reactant R produces one mole of the product P. If [R]1 and [P]1 are the concentrations of R and P respectively at time t1 and [R]2 and [P]2 are their concentrations at time t2 then, Dt = t2 – t1 D[R] = [R]2 – [R]1 D [P] = [P]2 – [P]1 The square brackets in the above expressions are used to express molar concentration. Rate of disappearance of R Decrease in concentration of R ∆ [ R ] = = − (3.1) Time taken ∆ t Chemistry 62 Reprint 2025-26 Rate of appearance of P Increase in concentration of P ∆ [ P ] = = + (3.2) Time taken ∆t Since, D[R] is a negative quantity (as concentration of reactants is decreasing), it is multiplied with –1 to make the rate of the reaction a positive quantity. Equations (3.1) and (3.2) given above represent the average rate of a reaction, rav. Average rate depends upon the change in concentration of reactants or products and the time taken for that change to occur (Fig. 3.1). { } Fig. 3.1: Instantaneous and average rate of a reaction Units of rate of a reaction From equations (3.1) and (3.2), it is clear that units of rate are concentration time–1. For example, if concentration is in mol L–1 and time is in seconds then the units will be mol L-1s–1. However, in gaseous reactions, when the concentration of gases is expressed in terms of their partial pressures, then the units of the rate equation will be atm s–1. From the concentrations of C4H9Cl (butyl chloride) at different times given ExampleExampleExampleExampleExample 3.13.13.13.13.1 below, calculate the average rate of the reaction: C4H9Cl + H2O ® C4H9OH + HCl during different intervals of time. t/s 0 50 100 150 200 300 400 700 800 [C4H9Cl]/mol L–1 0.100 0.0905 0.0820 0.0741 0.0671 0.0549 0.0439 0.0210 0.017 We can determine the difference in concentration over different intervals SolutionSolutionSolutionSolutionSolution of time and thus determine the average rate by dividing D[R] by Dt (Table 3.1). 63 Chemical Kinetics Reprint 2025-26 Table 3.1: Average rates of hydrolysis of butyl chloride [C4H9CI]t1 / [C4H9CI]t2 / t1/s t2/s rav × 104/mol L–1s–1 × 10 4 mol L–1 mol L–1 = – / ( t 2 − t1 ) C 4 H 9 Cl ]t 2 – [ C 4 H 9 Cl ]t1 {[ } 0.100 0.0905 0 50 1.90 0.0905 0.0820 50 100 1.70 0.0820 0.0741 100 150 1.58 0.0741 0.0671 150 200 1.40 0.0671 0.0549 200 300 1.22 0.0549 0.0439 300 400 1.10 0.0439 0.0335 400 500 1.04 0.0210 0.017 700 800 0.4 It can be seen (Table 3.1) that the average rate falls from 1.90 × 0-4 mol L-1s-1 to 0.4 × 10-4 mol L-1s-1. However, average rate cannot be used to predict the rate of a reaction at a particular instant as it would be constant for the time interval for which it is calculated. So, to express the rate at a particular moment of time we determine the instantaneous rate. It is obtained when we consider the average rate at the smallest time interval say dt ( i.e. when Dt approaches zero). Hence, mathematically for an infinitesimally small dt instantaneous rate is given by −∆ [ R ] ∆ [ P ] rav = = (3.3) ∆t ∆ t  d  R  d P As Dt ® 0 or rinst   d t d t Fig 3.2 Instantaneous rate of hydrolysis of butyl chloride(C4H9Cl) Chemistry 64 Reprint 2025-26 It can be determined graphically by drawing a tangent at time t on either of the curves for concentration of R and P vs time t and calculating its slope (Fig. 3.1). So in problem 3.1, rinst at 600s for example, can be calculated by plotting concentration of butyl chloride as a function of time. A tangent is drawn that touches the curve at t = 600 s (Fig. 3.2). The slope of this tangent gives the instantaneous rate. So, rinst at 600 s = – mol L–1 = 5.12 × 10–5 mol L–1s–1 At t = 250 s rinst = 1.22 × 10–4 mol L–1s–1 t = 350 s rinst = 1.0 × 10–4 mol L–1s–1 t = 450 s rinst = 6.4 ×× 10–5 mol L–1s–1 Now consider a reaction Hg(l) + Cl2 (g) ® HgCl2(s) Where stoichiometric coefficients of the reactants and products are same, then rate of the reaction is given as ∆ [ Hg ] ∆ [ Cl 2 ] ∆ [ HgCl 2 ] Rate of reaction = – = – = ∆t ∆t ∆ t i.e., rate of disappearance of any of the reactants is same as the rate of appearance of the products. But in the following reaction, two moles of HI decompose to produce one mole each of H2 and I2, 2HI(g) ® H2(g) + I2(g) For expressing the rate of such a reaction where stoichiometric coefficients of reactants or products are not equal to one, rate of disappearance of any of the reactants or the rate of appearance of products is divided by their respective stoichiometric coefficients. Since rate of consumption of HI is twice the rate of formation of H2 or I2, to make them equal, the term D[HI] is divided by 2. The rate of this reaction is given by 1 ∆ [ HI ] ∆ [ H 2 ] ∆ [ I 2 ] Rate of reaction = − = = 2 ∆ t ∆ t ∆ t Similarly, for the reaction 5 Br- (aq) + BrO3– (aq) + 6 H+ (aq) ® 3 Br2 (aq) + 3 H2O (l) − − + 1 ∆ [ Br BrO 3 1 ∆ [ H ] 1 ∆ [ Br2 ] 1 ∆ [ H 2 O ] ] ∆  Rate = − = − = − = = 5 ∆ t ∆ t 6 ∆t 3 ∆ t 3 ∆t For a gaseous reaction at constant temperature, concentration is directly proportional to the partial pressure of a species and hence, rate can also be expressed as rate of change in partial pressure of the reactant or the product. 65 Chemical Kinetics Reprint 2025-26 ExampleExampleExampleExampleExample 3.23.23.23.23.2 The decomposition of N2O5 in CCl4 at 318K has been studied by monitoring the concentration of N2O5 in the solution. Initially the concentration of N2O5 is 2.33 mol L–1 and after 184 minutes, it is reduced to 2.08 mol L–1. The reaction takes place according to the equation 2 N2O5 (g) ® 4 NO2 (g) + O2 (g) Calculate the average rate of this reaction in terms of hours, minutes and seconds. What is the rate of production of NO2 during this period? 1  ( 2.08 − 2 .33 ) mol L−1  1 ∆ [ N 2 O5 ] SolutionSolutionSolutionSolutionSolution Average Rate = − = − 184 min 2  ∆t  2   = 6.79 × 10–4 mol L–1/min = (6.79 × 10–4 mol L–1 min–1) × (60 min/1h) = 4.07 × 10–2 mol L–1/h = 6.79 × 10–4 mol L–1 × 1min/60s = 1.13 × 10–5 mol L–1s–1 It may be remembered that 1 ∆ [ NO 2 ] Rate = 4  ∆t  ∆ [ NO 2 ] = 6.79 × 10–4 × 4 mol L–1 min–1 = 2.72 × 10–3 mol L–1min–1 ∆t IntextIntextIntextIntextIntext QuestionsQuestionsQuestionsQuestionsQuestions 3.1 For the reaction R ® P, the concentration of a reactant changes from 0.03M to 0.02M in 25 minutes. Calculate the average rate of reaction using units of time both in minutes and seconds. 3.2 In a reaction, 2A ® Products, the concentration of A decreases from 0.5 mol L–1 to 0.4 mol L–1 in 10 minutes. Calculate the rate during this interval? 3.23.23.23.23.2 FactorsFactorsFactorsFactorsFactors InfluencingInfluencingInfluencingInfluencingInfluencing Rate of reaction depends upon the experimental conditions such RateRateRateRateRate ofofofofof aaaaa ReactionReactionReactionReactionReaction as concentration of reactants (pressure in case of gases), temperature and catalyst. 3.2.1 Dependence The rate of a chemical reaction at a given temperature may depend on of Rate on the concentration of one or more reactants and products. The Concentration representation of rate of reaction in terms of concentration of the reactants is known as rate law. It is also called as rate equation or rate expression. 3.2.2 Rate The results in Table 3.1 clearly show that rate of a reaction decreases with Expression the passage of time as the concentration of reactants decrease. Conversely, and Rate rates generally increase when reactant concentrations increase. So, rate of Constant a reaction depends upon the concentration of reactants. Chemistry 66 Reprint 2025-26 Consider a general reaction aA + bB ® cC + dD where a, b, c and d are the stoichiometric coefficients of reactants and products. The rate expression for this reaction is Rate µ [A] x [B] y (3.4) where exponents x and y may or may not be equal to the stoichiometric coefficients (a and b) of the reactants. Above equation can also be written as Rate = k [A] x [B] y (3.4a) d [ R ] x y − = k [ A ] [ B ] (3.4b) d t This form of equation (3.4 b) is known as differential rate equation, where k is a proportionality constant called rate constant. The equation like (3.4), which relates the rate of a reaction to concentration of reactants is called rate law or rate expression. Thus, rate law is the expression in which reaction rate is given in terms of molar concentration of reactants with each term raised to some power, which may or may not be same as the stoichiometric coefficient of the reacting species in a balanced chemical equation. For example: 2NO(g) + O2(g) ® 2NO2 (g) We can measure the rate of this reaction as a function of initial concentrations either by keeping the concentration of one of the reactants constant and changing the concentration of the other reactant or by changing the concentration of both the reactants. The following results are obtained (Table 3.2). Table 3.2: Initial rate of formation of NO2 Experiment Initial [NO]/ mol L-1 Initial [O2]/ mol L-1 Initial rate of formation of NO2/ mol L-1s-1 1. 0.30 0.30 0.096 2. 0.60 0.30 0.384 3. 0.30 0.60 0.192 4. 0.60 0.60 0.768 It is obvious, after looking at the results, that when the concentration of NO is doubled and that of O2 is kept constant then the initial rate increases by a factor of four from 0.096 to 0.384 mol L–1s–1. This indicates that the rate depends upon the square of the concentration of NO. When concentration of NO is kept constant and concentration of O2 is doubled the rate also gets doubled indicating that rate depends on concentration of O2 to the first power. Hence, the rate equation for this reaction will be Rate = k [NO] 2[O2] 67 Chemical Kinetics Reprint 2025-26 The differential form of this rate expression is given as d [ R ] 2 − = k [ NO ] [ O 2 ] d t Now, we observe that for this reaction in the rate equation derived from the experimental data, the exponents of the concentration terms are the same as their stoichiometric coefficients in the balanced chemical equation. Some other examples are given below: Reaction Experimental rate expression 1. CHCl3 + Cl2 ® CCl4 + HCl Rate = k [CHCl3 ] [Cl2]1/2 2. CH3COOC2H5 + H2O ® CH3COOH + C2H5OH Rate = k [CH3COOC2H5]1 [H2O]0 In these reactions, the exponents of the concentration terms are not the same as their stoichiometric coefficients. Thus, we can say that: Rate law for any reaction cannot be predicted by merely looking at the balanced chemical equation, i.e., theoretically but must be determined experimentally. 3.2.3 Order of a In the rate equation (3.4) Reaction Rate = k [A]x [B]y x and y indicate how sensitive the rate is to the change in concentration of A and B. Sum of these exponents, i.e., x + y in (3.4) gives the overall order of a reaction whereas x and y represent the order with respect to the reactants A and B respectively. Hence, the sum of powers of the concentration of the reactants in the rate law expression is called the order of that chemical reaction. Order of a reaction can be 0, 1, 2, 3 and even a fraction. A zero order reaction means that the rate of reaction is independent of the concentration of reactants. ExampleExampleExampleExampleExample 3.33.33.33.33.3 Calculate the overall order of a reaction which has the rate expression (a) Rate = k [A]1/2 [B]3/2 (b) Rate = k [A]3/2 [B]–1 SolutionSolutionSolutionSolutionSolution (a) Rate = k [A]x [B]y order = x + y So order = 1/2 + 3/2 = 2, i.e., second order (b) order = 3/2 + (–1) = 1/2, i.e., half order. A balanced chemical equation never gives us a true picture of how a reaction takes place since rarely a reaction gets completed in one step. The reactions taking place in one step are called elementary reactions. When a sequence of elementary reactions (called mechanism) gives us the products, the reactions are called complex reactions. Chemistry 68 Reprint 2025-26 These may be consecutive reactions (e.g., oxidation of ethane to CO2 and H2O passes through a series of intermediate steps in which alcohol, aldehyde and acid are formed), reverse reactions and side reactions (e.g., nitration of phenol yields o-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol). Units of rate constant For a general reaction aA + bB ® cC + dD Rate = k [A]x [B]y Where x + y = n = order of the reaction Rate k = x [A] [B]y concentration 1 = × n ( where [A] = [B]) time ( concentration ) Taking SI units of concentration, mol L –1 and time, s, the units of k for different reaction order are listed in Table 3.3 Table 3.3: Units of rate constant Reaction Order Units of rate constant mol L−1 1 −1 − 1 × 0 = mol L s −1 Zero order reaction 0 s ( mol L ) −1 mol L 1 −1 × = s − 1 1 First order reaction 1 s ( mol L ) − 1 mol L 1 − 1 −1 × = mol L s −1 2 Second order reaction 2 s ( mol L ) Identify the reaction order from each of the following rate constants. ExampleExampleExampleExampleExample 3.43.43.43.43.4 (i) k = 2.3 × 10–5 L mol–1 s–1 (ii) k = 3 × 10–4 s–1 (i) The unit of second order rate constant is L mol–1 s–1, therefore SolutionSolutionSolutionSolutionSolution k = 2.3 × 10–5 L mol–1 s–1 represents a second order reaction. (ii) The unit of a first order rate constant is s–1 therefore k = 3 × 10–4 s–1 represents a first order reaction. 3.2.4 Molecularity Another property of a reaction called molecularity helps in of a understanding its mechanism. The number of reacting species Reaction (atoms, ions or molecules) taking part in an elementary reaction, which must collide simultaneously in order to bring about a chemical reaction is called molecularity of a reaction. The reaction can be unimolecular when one reacting species is involved, for example, decomposition of ammonium nitrite. 69 Chemical Kinetics Reprint 2025-26 NH4NO2 ® N2 + 2H2O Bimolecular reactions involve simultaneous collision between two species, for example, dissociation of hydrogen iodide. 2HI ® H2 + I2 Trimolecular or termolecular reactions involve simultaneous collision between three reacting species, for example, 2NO + O2 ® 2NO2 The probability that more than three molecules can collide and react simultaneously is very small. Hence, reactions with the molecularity three are very rare and slow to proceed. It is, therefore, evident that complex reactions involving more than three molecules in the stoichiometric equation must take place in more than one step. KClO3 + 6FeSO4 + 3H2SO4 ® KCl + 3Fe2(SO4)3 + 3H2O This reaction which apparently seems to be of tenth order is actually a second order reaction. This shows that this reaction takes place in several steps. Which step controls the rate of the overall reaction? The question can be answered if we go through the mechanism of reaction, for example, chances to win the relay race competition by a team depend upon the slowest person in the team. Similarly, the overall rate of the reaction is controlled by the slowest step in a reaction called the rate determining step. Consider the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide which is catalysed by iodide ion in an alkaline medium. -I 2H2O2  2H2O + O2 Alkaline medium The rate equation for this reaction is found to be d  H 2 O 2   Rate  k  H2 O 2 I dt This reaction is first order with respect to both H2O2 and I–. Evidences suggest that this reaction takes place in two steps (1) H2O2 + I– ® H2O + IO– (2) H2O2 + IO– ® H2O + I– + O2 Both the steps are bimolecular elementary reactions. Species IO- is called as an intermediate since it is formed during the course of the reaction but not in the overall balanced equation. The first step, being slow, is the rate determining step. Thus, the rate of formation of intermediate will determine the rate of this reaction. Thus, from the discussion, till now, we conclude the following: (i) Order of a reaction is an experimental quantity. It can be zero and even a fraction but molecularity cannot be zero or a non integer. (ii) Order is applicable to elementary as well as complex reactions whereas molecularity is applicable only for elementary reactions. For complex reaction molecularity has no meaning. Chemistry 70 Reprint 2025-26 (iii) For complex reaction, order is given by the slowest step and molecularity of the slowest step is same as the order of the overall reaction. IntextIntextIntextIntextIntext QuestionsQuestionsQuestionsQuestionsQuestions 3.3 For a reaction, A + B ® Product; the rate law is given by, r = k [ A]1/2 [B]2. What is the order of the reaction? 3.4 The conversion of molecules X to Y follows second order kinetics. If concentration of X is increased to three times how will it affect the rate of formation of Y ? 3.33.33.33.33.3 IntegratedIntegratedIntegratedIntegratedIntegrated We have already noted that the concentration dependence of rate is RateRateRateRateRate called differential rate equation. It is not always convenient to determine the instantaneous rate, as it is measured by determination EquationsEquationsEquationsEquationsEquations of slope of the tangent at point ‘t’ in concentration vs time plot (Fig. 3.1). This makes it difficult to determine the rate law and hence the order of the reaction. In order to avoid this difficulty, we can integrate the differential rate equation to give a relation between directly measured experimental data, i.e., concentrations at different times and rate constant. The integrated rate equations are different for the reactions of different reaction orders. We shall determine these equations only for zero and first order chemical reactions. 3.3.1 Zero Order Zero order reaction means that the rate of the reaction is proportional Reactions to zero power of the concentration of reactants. Consider the reaction, R ® P d  R  Rate =   k  R 0 d t As any quantity raised to power zero is unity d  R  Rate =   k × 1 d t d[R] = – k dt Integrating both sides [R] = – k t + I (3.5) where, I is the constant of integration. At t = 0, the concentration of the reactant R = [R]0, where [R]0 is initial concentration of the reactant. Substituting in equation (3.5) [R]0 = –k × 0 + I [R]0 = I Substituting the value of I in the equation (3.5) [R] = -kt + [R]0 (3.6) 71 Chemical Kinetics Reprint 2025-26 Comparing (3.6) with equation of a straight line, y = mx + c, if we plot [R] against t, we get a straight [R0 ] line (Fig. 3.3) with slope = –k and intercept equal to [R]0. Further simplifying equation (3.6), we get the rateR k = -slope constant, k as of [ R ]0 − [ R ] k = (3.7) t Zero order reactions are relatively uncommon but they occur under special conditions. Some enzyme Concentration catalysed reactions and reactions which occur on metal surfaces are a few examples of zero order 0 Time reactions. The decomposition of gaseous ammonia on a hot platinum surface is a zero order reaction at Fig. 3.3: Variation in the concentration high pressure. vs time plot for a zero order 1130K reaction 2NH 3 ( g ) →Pt catalyst N 2 ( g ) +3H 2 ( g ) Rate = k [NH3]0 = k In this reaction, platinum metal acts as a catalyst. At high pressure, the metal surface gets saturated with gas molecules. So, a further change in reaction conditions is unable to alter the amount of ammonia on the surface of the catalyst making rate of the reaction independent of its concentration. The thermal decomposition of HI on gold surface is another example of zero order reaction. 3.3.2 First Order In this class of reactions, the rate of the reaction is proportional to the Reactions first power of the concentration of the reactant R. For example, R ® P d [ R ] Rate = − = k [ R ] d t d [ R ] or = – kdt [ R ] Integrating this equation, we get ln [R] = – kt + I (3.8) Again, I is the constant of integration and its value can be determined easily. When t = 0, R = [R]0, where [R]0 is the initial concentration of the reactant. Therefore, equation (3.8) can be written as ln [R]0 = –k × 0 + I ln [R]0 = I Substituting the value of I in equation (3.8) ln[R] = –kt + ln[R]0 (3.9) Chemistry 72 Reprint 2025-26 Rearranging this equation [ R ] ln = −kt [ R ]0 1 R 0 or k  ln (3.10) t R At time t1 from equation (3.8) *ln[R]1 = – kt1 + *ln[R]0 (3.11) At time t2 ln[R]2 = – kt2 + ln[R]0 (3.12) where, [R]1 and [R]2 are the concentrations of the reactants at time t1 and t2 respectively. Subtracting (3.12) from (3.11) ln[R]1– ln[R]2 = – kt1 – (–kt2) [ R ]1 ln = k (t 2 − t 1 ) [ R ]2 1 [ R ]1 k = ln (t 2 − t 1 ) [ R ]2 (3.13) Equation (3.9) can also be written as [ R ] ln = −kt [ R ]0 Taking antilog of both sides [R] = [R]0 e–kt (3.14) Comparing equation (3.9) with y = mx + c, if we plot ln [R] against t (Fig. 3.4) we get a straight line with slope = –k and intercept equal to ln [R]0 The first order rate equation (3.10) can also be written in the form 2.303 [ R ]0 k = log (3.15) t [ R ] [ R ]0 kt * log = [ R ] 2.303 If we plot a graph between log [R]0/[R] vs t, (Fig. 3.5), the slope = k/2.303 Hydrogenation of ethene is an example of first order reaction. C2H4(g) + H2 (g) ® C2H6(g) Rate = k [C2H4] All natural and artificial radioactive decay of unstable nuclei take place by first order kinetics. * Refer to Appendix-IV for ln and log (logarithms). 73 Chemical Kinetics Reprint 2025-26 /[R]) 0] Slope = k /2.303 ([R log 0 Time Fig. 3.4: A plot between ln[R] and t Fig. 3.5: Plot of log [R]0/[R] vs time for a for a first order reaction first order reaction 226 88 Ra  24 He  22286 Rn Rate = k [Ra] Decomposition of N2O5 and N2O are some more examples of first order reactions. ExampleExampleExampleExampleExample 3.53.53.53.53.5 The initial concentration of N2O5 in the following first order reaction N2O5(g) ® 2 NO2(g) + 1/2O2 (g) was 1.24 × 10–2 mol L–1 at 318 K. The concentration of N2O5 after 60 minutes was 0.20 × 10–2 mol L–1. Calculate the rate constant of the reaction at 318 K. SolutionSolutionSolutionSolutionSolution For a first order reaction  R 1 k t 2  t 1  log =  R 2 2.303 2.303  R 1 log k =  t 2  t 1   R 2 2.303 1.24  10  2 mol L1 log  2  1 =  60 min  0 min  0.20  10 mol L 2.303  1 = log 6.2 min 60 k = 0.0304 min-1 Let us consider a typical first order gas phase reaction A(g) ® B(g) + C(g) Let pi be the initial pressure of A and pt the total pressure at time ‘t’. Integrated rate equation for such a reaction can be derived as Total pressure pt = pA + pB + pC (pressure units) Chemistry 74 Reprint 2025-26 pA, pB and pC are the partial pressures of A, B and C, respectively. If x atm be the decrease in pressure of A at time t and one mole each of B and C is being formed, the increase in pressure of B and C will also be x atm each. A(g) ® B(g) + C(g) At t = 0 pi atm 0 atm 0 atm At time t (pi–x) atm x atm x atm where, pi is the initial pressure at time t = 0. pt = (pi – x) + x + x = pi + x x = (pt - pi) where, pA = pi – x = pi – (pt – pi) = 2pi – pt  2.303   p i  k =   log  (3.16)  t  p A  2.303 p i log = t  2 p i  p t  The following data were obtained during the first order thermal ExampleExampleExampleExampleExample 3.63.63.63.63.6 decomposition of N2O5 (g) at constant volume: 2N 2 O5 ( g ) → 2N 2 O 4 ( g ) + O 2 ( g ) S.No. Time/s Total Pressure/(atm) 1. 0 0.5 2. 100 0.512 Calculate the rate constant. Let the pressure of N2O5(g) decrease by 2x atm. As two moles of SolutionSolutionSolutionSolutionSolution N2O5 decompose to give two moles of N2O4(g) and one mole of O2 (g), the pressure of N2O4 (g) increases by 2x atm and that of O2 (g) increases by x atm. 2N 2 O5 ( g ) → 2N 2 O 4 ( g ) + O 2 ( g ) Start t = 0 0.5 atm 0 atm 0 atm At time t (0.5 – 2x) atm 2x atm x atm pt = p N 2 O 5  p N 2 O 4  p O 2 = (0.5 – 2x) + 2x + x = 0.5 + x x = tp − 0.5 p N 2 O5 = 0.5 – 2x = 0.5 – 2 (pt – 0.5) = 1.5 – 2pt At t = 100 s; pt = 0.512 atm 75 Chemical Kinetics Reprint 2025-26 p N 2 O 5 = 1.5 – 2 × 0.512 = 0.476 atm Using equation (3.16) 2.303 p i 2.303 0.5 atm k  log  log t p A 100s 0.476 atm 2.303  4 1   0.0216  4.98  10 s 100s 3.3.3 Half-Life of The half-life of a reaction is the time in which the concentration of a a Reaction reactant is reduced to one half of its initial concentration. It is represented as t1/2. For a zero order reaction, rate constant is given by equation 3.7. [ R ]0 − [ R ] k = t 1 [ R ]0 At t = t 1/2 , [ R ] = 2 The rate constant at t1/2 becomes [ R ]0 − 1/2 [ R ]0 k = t 1/2 [ R ]0 t 1/2 = 2k It is clear that t1/2 for a zero order reaction is directly proportional to the initial concentration of the reactants and inversely proportional to the rate constant. For the first order reaction, 2.303 [ R ]0 k = log (3.15) t [ R ] [ R ]0 at t1/2 [ R ] = (3.16) 2 So, the above equation becomes 2.303 [ R ]0 k = log t 1/2 [ R ] /2 2.303 or t1/2  log 2 k 2.303 t 1/2 = × 0.301 k 0.693 t 1/2 = (3.17) k Chemistry 76 Reprint 2025-26 It can be seen that for a first order reaction, half-life period is constant, i.e., it is independent of initial concentration of the reacting species. The half-life of a first order equation is readily calculated from the rate constant and vice versa. For zero order reaction t1/2 µ [R]0. For first order reaction t1/2 is independent of [R]0. A first order reaction is found to have a rate constant, k = 5.5 × 10-14 s-1. ExampleExampleExampleExampleExample 3.73.73.73.73.7 Find the half-life of the reaction. Half-life for a first order reaction is SolutionSolutionSolutionSolutionSolution 0.693 t 1/2 = k 0.693 t 1/2 = –14 –1 = 1.26 × 1013s 5.5×10 s Show that in a first order reaction, time required for completion of 99.9% is 10 times of half-life (t1/2) of the reaction. When reaction is completed 99.9%, [R]n = [R]0 – 0.999[R]0 ExampleExampleExampleExampleExample 3.83.83.83.83.8 2.303  R 0 log k = SolutionSolutionSolutionSolutionSolution t  R  2.303  R 0 2.303 3 log = = log10 t  R 0  0.999  R 0 t t = 6.909/k For half-life of the reaction t1/2 = 0.693/k t 6.909 k =   10 t1/2 k 0.693 Table 3.4 summarises the mathematical features of integrated laws of zero and first order reactions. Table 3.4: Integrated Rate Laws for the Reactions of Zero and First Order Order Reaction Differential Integrated Straight Half- Units of k type rate law rate law line plot life 0 R® P d[R]/dt = -k kt = [R]0-[R] [R] vs t [R]0/2k conc time-1 or mol L–1s–1 1 R® P d[R]/dt = -k[R] [R] = [R]0e-kt ln[R] vs t ln 2/k time-1 or s–1 or kt = ln{[R]0/[R]} 77 Chemical Kinetics Reprint 2025-26 The order of a reaction is sometimes altered by conditions. There are many reactions which obey first order rate law although they are higher order reactions. Consider the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate which is a chemical reaction between ethyl acetate and water. In reality, it is a second order reaction and concentration of both ethyl acetate and water affect the rate of the reaction. But water is taken in large excess for hydrolysis, therefore, concentration of water is not altered much during the reaction. Thus, the rate of reaction is affected by concentration of ethyl acetate only. For example, during the hydrolysis of 0.01 mol of ethyl acetate with 10 mol of water, amounts of the reactants and products at the beginning (t = 0) and completion (t) of the reaction are given as under. H CH3COOH + C2H5OH CH3COOC2H5 + H2O  t = 0 0.01 mol 10 mol 0 mol 0 mol t 0 mol 9.99 mol 0.01 mol 0.01 mol The concentration of water does not get altered much during the course of the reaction. So, the reaction behaves as first order reaction. Such reactions are called pseudo first order reactions. Inversion of cane sugar is another pseudo first order reaction. C12H22O11 + H2O →H+ C6H12O6 + C6H12O6 Cane sugar Glucose Fructose Rate = k [C12H22O11] IntextIntextIntextIntextIntext QuestionsQuestionsQuestionsQuestionsQuestions 3.5 A first order reaction has a rate constant 1.15 × 10-3 s-1. How long will 5 g of this reactant take to reduce to 3 g? 3.6 Time required to decompose SO2Cl2 to half of its initial amount is 60 minutes. If the decomposition is a first order reaction, calculate the rate constant of the reaction. 3.43.43.43.43.4 TemperatureTemperatureTemperatureTemperatureTemperature Most of the chemical reactions are accelerated by increase in temperature. For example, in decomposition of N2O5, the time taken for half of the DependenceDependenceDependenceDependenceDependence ofofofofof original amount of material to decompose is 12 min at 50oC, 5 h at thethethethethe RateRateRateRateRate ofofofofof aaaaa 25oC and 10 days at 0oC. You also know that in a mixture of potassium ReactionReactionReactionReactionReaction permanganate (KMnO4) and oxalic acid (H2C2O4), potassium permanganate gets decolourised faster at a higher temperature than that at a lower temperature. It has been found that for a chemical reaction with rise in temperature by 10°, the rate constant is nearly doubled. The temperature dependence of the rate of a chemical reaction can be accurately explained by Arrhenius equation (3.18). It was first proposed by Dutch chemist, J.H. van’t Hoff but Swedish chemist, Arrhenius provided its physical justification and interpretation. Chemistry 78 Reprint 2025-26 k = A e -Ea /RT (3.18) where A is the Arrhenius factor or the frequency factor. It is also called pre-exponential factor. It is a constant specific to a particular reaction. R is gas constant and Ea is activation energy measured in joules/mole (J mol –1). It can be understood clearly using the following simple reaction H 2 g  I 2 g  2HI g According to Arrhenius, this reaction can take place only when a molecule of hydrogen and a molecule of iodine Intermediate collide to form an unstable intermediate (Fig. 3.6). It exists for a very short time and then breaks up to form two Fig. 3.6: Formation of HI through molecules of hydrogen iodide. the intermediate The energy required to form this intermediate, called activated complex (C), is known as activation energy (Ea). Fig. 3.7 is obtained by plotting potential energy vs reaction coordinate. Reaction coordinate represents the profile of energy change when reactants change into products. Some energy is released when the complex decomposes to form products. So, the final enthalpy of the reaction depends upon the nature of reactants and products. All the molecules in the reacting species do not have the same kinetic Fig. 3.7: Diagram showing plot of potential energy. Since it is difficult to predict the energy vs reaction coordinate behaviour of any one molecule with precision, Ludwig Boltzmann and James Clark Maxwell used statistics to predict the behaviour of large number of molecules. According to them, the distribution of kinetic energy may be described by plotting the fraction of molecules (NE/NT) with a given kinetic energy (E) vs kinetic energy (Fig. 3.8). Here, NE is the number of molecules with energy E and NT is total number of molecules. The peak of the curve corresponds to the most probable kinetic energy, i.e., kinetic energy of maximum fraction of molecules. There are decreasing number Fig. 3.8: Distribution curve showing energies of molecules with energies higher or among gaseous molecules lower than this value. When the 79 Chemical Kinetics Reprint 2025-26 temperature is raised, the maximum of the curve moves to the higher energy value (Fig. 3.9) and the curve broadens out, i.e., spreads to the right such that there is a greater proportion of molecules with much higher energies. The area under the curve must be constant since total probability must be one at all times. We can mark the position of Ea on Fig. 3.9: Distribution curve showing temperature Maxwell Boltzmann distribution curve dependence of rate of a reaction (Fig. 3.9). Increasing the temperature of the substance increases the fraction of molecules, which collide with energies greater than Ea. It is clear from the diagram that in the curve at (t + 10), the area showing the fraction of molecules having energy equal to or greater than activation energy gets doubled leading to doubling the rate of a reaction. In the Arrhenius equation (3.18) the factor e -Ea /RT corresponds to the fraction of molecules that have kinetic energy greater than Ea. Taking natural logarithm of both sides of equation (3.18) E a ln k = – + ln A (3.19) RT The plot of ln k vs 1/T gives a straight line according to the equation (3.19) as shown in Fig. 3.10. Thus, it has been found from Arrhenius equation (3.18) that increasing the temperature or decreasing the activation energy will result in an increase in the rate of the reaction and an exponential increase in the rate constant. E a In Fig. 3.10, slope = – and intercept = ln R A. So we can calculate Ea and A using these values. At temperature T1, equation (3.19) is E a ln k1 = – RT1 + ln A (3.20) At temperature T2, equation (3.19) is E a ln k2 = – RT2 + ln A (3.21) (since A is constant for a given reaction) k1 and k2 are the values of rate constants at temperatures T1 and T2 respectively. Fig. 3.10: A plot between ln k and 1/T Chemistry 80 Reprint 2025-26 Subtracting equation (3.20) from (3.21), we obtain E a E a ln k2 – ln k1 = RT1 – RT2 k 2 E a  1 1  ln = − k1 R  T1 T2  k 2 E a  1 1  log = − (3.22) k1 2.303 R  T1 T2  k 2 E a  T2 − T1  log = k1 2. 303R  T1T2  ExampleExampleExampleExampleExample 3.93.93.93.93.9 The rate constants of a reaction at 500K and 700K are 0.02s–1 and 0.07s–1 respectively. Calculate the values of Ea and A. k 2 E a  T2  T1 SolutionSolutionSolutionSolutionSolution log =   k1 2.303 R  T1T2  0.07  E a   700  500  log =      700  500 0.02  2.303  8.314 JK  1 mol  1  0.544 = Ea × 5.714 × 10-4/19.15 Ea = 0.544 × 19.15/5.714 × 10–4 = 18230.8 J Since k = Ae-Ea/RT × 500 0.02 = Ae-18230.8/8.314 A = 0.02/0.012 = 1.61 ExampleExampleExampleExampleExample 3.103.103.103.103.10 The first order rate constant for the decomposition of ethyl iodide by the reaction C2H5I(g) ® C2H4 (g) + HI(g) at 600K is 1.60 × 10–5 s–1. Its energy of activation is 209 kJ/mol. Calculate the rate constant of the reaction at 700K. SolutionSolutionSolutionSolutionSolution We know that E a  1 1     log k2 – log k1 = 2.303R  T1 T2  81 Chemical Kinetics Reprint 2025-26 E a  1 1  log k2 = log k1     2.303R  T1 T2  209000 J mol L 1  1 1  5 = log 1.60  10     1  1    2.303  8.314 J mol L K  600 K 700K  log k2 = – 4.796 + 2.599 = – 2.197 k2 = 6.36 × 10–3 s–1 3.4.1 Effect of A catalyst is a substance which increases the rate of a reaction without Catalyst itself undergoing any permanent chemical change. For example, MnO2 catalyses the following reaction so as to increase its rate considerably. 2KClO3 MnO2 2 KCl + 3O2 The word catalyst should not be used when the added substance reduces the rate of raction. The substance is then called inhibitor. The action of the catalyst can be explained by intermediate complex theory. According to this theory, a catalyst participates in a chemical reaction by forming temporary bonds with the reactants resulting in an intermediate complex. This has a transitory existence and decomposes to yield products and the catalyst. It is believed that the catalyst provides an alternate pathway or reaction mechanism by reducing the activation energy between reactants and products and hence lowering the potential energy barrier as shown in Fig. 3.11. It is clear from Arrhenius equation (3.18) that lower the value of activation energy faster will be the rate of a reaction. A small amount of the catalyst can catalyse a large amount of reactants. A catalyst does Fig. 3.11: Effect of catalyst on activation energy not alter Gibbs energy, DG of a reaction. It catalyses the spontaneous reactions but does not catalyse non-spontaneous reactions. It is also found that a catalyst does not change the equilibrium constant of a reaction rather, it helps in attaining the equilibrium faster, that is, it catalyses the forward as well as the backward reactions to the same extent so that the equilibrium state remains same but is reached earlier. 3.53.53.53.53.5 CollisionCollisionCollisionCollisionCollision Though Arrhenius equation is applicable under a wide range of TheoryTheoryTheoryTheoryTheory ofofofofof circumstances, collision theory, which was developed by Max Trautz ChemicalChemicalChemicalChemicalChemical and William Lewis in 1916 -18, provides a greater insight into the energetic and mechanistic aspects of reactions. It is based on kinetic ReactionsReactionsReactionsReactionsReactions theory of gases. According to this theory, the reactant molecules are Chemistry 82 Reprint 2025-26 assumed to be hard spheres and reaction is postulated to occur when molecules collide with each other. The number of collisions per second per unit volume of the reaction mixture is known as collision frequency (Z). Another factor which affects the rate of chemical reactions is activation energy (as we have already studied). For a bimolecular elementary reaction A + B ® Products rate of reaction can be expressed as a / RT (3.23) Rate = Z AB e − E where ZAB represents the collision frequency of reactants, A and B and e-Ea /RT represents the fraction of molecules with energies equal to or greater than Ea. Comparing (3.23) with Arrhenius equation, we can say that A is related to collision frequency. Equation (3.23) predicts the value of rate constants fairly accurately for the reactions that involve atomic species or simple molecules but for complex molecules significant deviations are observed. The reason could be that all collisions do not lead to the formation of products. The collisions in which molecules collide with sufficient kinetic energy (called threshold energy*) and proper orientation, so as to facilitate breaking of bonds between reacting species and formation of new bonds to form products are called as effective collisions. For example, formation of methanol from bromoethane depends upon the orientation of reactant molecules as shown in Fig. 3.12. The proper orientation of reactant molecules lead to bond formation whereas improper orientation makes them simply bounce back and no products are formed. Fig. 3.12: Diagram showing molecules having proper and To account for effective collisions, improper orientation another factor P, called the probability or steric factor is introduced. It takes into account the fact that in a collision, molecules must be properly oriented i.e., − E a / RT Rate = PZ AB e Thus, in collision theory activation energy and proper orientation of the molecules together determine the criteria for an effective collision and hence the rate of a chemical reaction. Collision theory also has certain drawbacks as it considers atoms/ molecules to be hard spheres and ignores their structural aspect. You will study details about this theory and more on other theories in your higher classes. * Threshold energy = Activation Energy + energy possessed by reacting species. 83 Chemical Kinetics Reprint 2025-26 IntextIntextIntextIntextIntext QuestionsQuestionsQuestionsQuestionsQuestions 3.7 What will be the effect of temperature on rate constant ? 3.8 The rate of the chemical reaction doubles for an increase of 10K in absolute temperature from 298K. Calculate Ea. 3.9 The activation energy for the reaction 2 HI(g) ® H2 + I2 (g) is 209.5 kJ mol–1 at 581K.Calculate the fraction of molecules of reactants having energy equal to or greater than activation energy? SummarySummarySummarySummarySummary Chemical kinetics is the study of chemical reactions with respect to reaction rates, effect of various variables, rearrangement of atoms and formation of intermediates. The rate of a reaction is concerned with decrease in concentration of reactants or increase in the concentration of products per unit time. It can be expressed as instantaneous rate at a particular instant of time and average rate over a large interval of time. A number of factors such as temperature, concentration of reactants, catalyst, affect the rate of a reaction. Mathematical representation of rate of a reaction is given by rate law. It has to be determined experimentally and cannot be predicted. Order of a reaction with respect to a reactant is the power of its concentration which appears in the rate law equation. The order of a reaction is the sum of all such powers of concentration of terms for different reactants. Rate constant is the proportionality factor in the rate law. Rate constant and order of a reaction can be determined from rate law or its integrated rate equation. Molecularity is defined only for an elementary reaction. Its values are limited from 1 to 3 whereas order can be 0, 1, 2, 3 or even a fraction. Molecularity and order of an elementary reaction are same. Temperature dependence of rate constants is described by Arrhenius equation (k = Ae–Ea/RT). Ea corresponds to the activation energy and is given by the energy difference between activated complex and the reactant molecules, and A (Arrhenius factor or pre-exponential factor) corresponds to the collision frequency. The equation clearly shows that increase of temperature or lowering of Ea will lead to an increase in the rate of reaction and presence of a catalyst lowers the activation energy by providing an alternate path for the reaction. According to collision theory, another factor P called steric factor which refers to the orientation of molecules which collide, is important and contributes to effective collisions, thus, modifying the Arrhenius equation to k  P Z AB e  E a / RT . Chemistry 84 Reprint 2025-26 ExercisesExercisesExercisesExercisesExercises 3.1 From the rate expression for the following reactions, determine their order of reaction and the dimensions of the rate constants. (i) 3NO(g) ® N2O (g) Rate = k[NO]2 (ii) H2O2 (aq) + 3I– (aq) + 2H+ ® 2H2O (l) + 3I Rate = k[H2O2][I-] (iii) CH3CHO (g) ® CH4 (g) + CO(g) Rate = k [CH3CHO]3/2 (iv) C2H5Cl (g) ® C2H4 (g) + HCl (g) Rate = k [C2H5Cl] 3.2 For the reaction: 2A + B ® A2B the rate = k[A][B]2 with k = 2.0 × 10–6 mol–2 L2 s–1. Calculate the initial rate of the reaction when [A] = 0.1 mol L–1, [B] = 0.2 mol L–1. Calculate the rate of reaction after [A] is reduced to 0.06 mol L–1. 3.3 The decomposition of NH3 on platinum surface is zero order reaction. What are the rates of production of N2 and H2 if k = 2.5 × 10–4 mol–1 L s–1? 3.4 The decomposition of dimethyl ether leads to the formation of CH4, H2 and CO and the reaction rate is given by Rate = k [CH3OCH3]3/2 The rate of reaction is followed by increase in pressure in a closed vessel, so the rate can also be expressed in terms of the partial pressure of dimethyl ether, i.e., 3/2 Rate = k ( p CH 3 OCH 3 ) If the pressure is measured in bar and time in minutes, then what are the units of rate and rate constants? 3.5 Mention the factors that affect the rate of a chemical reaction. 3.6 A reaction is second order with respect to a reactant. How is the rate of reaction affected if the concentration of the reactant is (i) doubled (ii) reduced to half ? 3.7 What is the effect of temperature on the rate constant of a reaction? How can this effect of temperature on rate constant be represented quantitatively? 3.8 In a pseudo first order reaction in water, the following results were obtained: t/s 0 30 60 90 [A]/ mol L–1 0.55 0.31 0.17 0.085 Calculate the average rate of reaction between the time interval 30 to 60 seconds.