Given that a plot of ln[reactant] versus time yields a straight line for a particular reaction, what is the order of this reaction?

• A. Third order
• B. Second order
• C. First order
• D. Zero order

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that the order of a reaction can be determined by the shape of the plot of concentration versus time or related transformations of concentration.
2. For a zero-order reaction, a plot of concentration [A] versus time is a straight line.
3. For a first-order reaction, a plot of the natural logarithm of concentration, ln[A], versus time is a straight line.
4. For a second-order reaction, a plot of the inverse of concentration, 1/[A], versus time is a straight line.
5. Since the problem states that a plot of ln[reactant] versus time is linear, this indicates the reaction is first order.