Acetone is one of the most important solvents in organic chemistry, used to dissolve everything from fats and waxes to airplane glue and nail polish. At high temperature, it decomposes in a first order process to methane and ketene (CH2=C=O).At 600C, the rate constant is 8.7x10^-3-s^-1

Question

Acetone is one of the most important solvents in organic chemistry,  used to dissolve everything from fats and waxes to airplane glue and nail polish. At high temperature, it decomposes in a first order process to methane and ketene (CH2=C=O).At 600C, the rate constant is 8.7x10^-3-s^-1
(a) what is the half-life of the reaction? 
(b) how much time is required for 40% of a acetone to decompose? 
(c) how much time is required for 90% of a sample
Of a acetone to decompose?

DrBob222 · Answer

a. k=0.693/t_1/2. Substitute and solve for half life. b. ln(No/N) = kt No = 100 N = 60 (that's 100-40 = 60) k = from above. t = solve for this. c. See b.