Question

How is the progress of reaction followed in the following first order reaction:

Decomposition of N₂O₅;

Answer 1

The decomposition of N₂O₅ is a first-order reaction:

\[\ce{2N2O5_{(g)} −> 4NO2_{(g)} + O2_{(g)}}\]

The progress of this reaction is followed by measuring the volume of oxygen gas (O₂) evolved with time. Since O₂ is a product and its amount increases as the reaction proceeds, it directly reflects the decomposition of N₂O₅. This method allows us to monitor the reaction rate and calculate the rate constant for the first-order kinetics.