Question

Popcorn kernals pop independently (i.e. unimolecularly). For one brand at constant temperature, 11 kernals pop in 10 seconds when 240 kernals are present. After 145 kernals have popped, how many kernals will pop in 10 seconds?(Your answer may include fractions of a kernal)
I understand that rate constants and rates are involved with the problem, but I'm not sure how to approach it..

Answer 1

I believe you want to use
ln(No/N) = kt.
Substitute No = 240
N = 240-11 = ??
t = 10 seconds.
Solve for k.

Then use k in
ln(No/N) = kt
No = 240-145 = ??
N = unknown
you know k and t. Solve for N, which will be number of kernals remaining; therefore, No-N must be the amount popped. Check my thinking.