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Logarithms and the rate equation

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I've worked out a rate equation:

 

rate=k'[A]a

 

the nice and easy bit.

 

Now I have to take the logs of both sides of the equation. The thing I'm confused about is that I have no values, it just wants me to show the equation with the logs of both sides taken, so would that literally be shown just as:

 

ln rate= ln k'[A]a ?

I'm not sure how to do that or if the answer would be as basic as writing log next to both sides?
  • Author

Is it where: a to the power of x = b?

 

Otherwise I'm afraid I do not.

  • Author

Thanks, I need to improve my maths skills, a point in the right direction is always good.



Right, would it simply be this:

log rate= log k' + log [A]a

I'm unsure what to do with [A]a, if anything at all.

Edited by Iota

  • Author

I was thinking it would possibly be this:

 

log rate= log k' + b log([A])

You could look at the experimental data and plot the log of the rate versus the log of the concentration.

Looks like a straight line to me, and physical chemists like straight lines on their graphs.

From the slope of the line you can calculate a.

  • Author

I'll go do that, thanks for your help.

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