The isomerization of methyl isonitrile 1CH3NC2 to acetonitrile 1CH3CN2 was studied in the gas phase at 215 C, and the following data were obtained: Time (s) 3CH3nC4 1M2 0 0.0165 2000 0.0110 5000 0.00591 8000 0.00314 12,000 0.00137 15,000 0.00074 (d) Graph 3CH3NC4 versus time and determine the instantaneous rates in M>s at t = 5000 s and t = 8000 s.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Start by plotting the concentration of CH3NC (y-axis) against time (x-axis). You can use any graphing tool or software to do this. The concentration of CH3NC should decrease over time as it is converted to CH3CN.
2. Step 2: To find the instantaneous rate at a specific time, you need to determine the slope of the tangent line to the curve at that point. This represents the rate of change of concentration at that specific time.
3. Step 3: To find the instantaneous rate at t = 5000 s, draw a tangent line to the curve at t = 5000 s and calculate its slope. The slope of the tangent line is equal to the change in concentration divided by the change in time (Δ[CH3NC]/Δt).
4. Step 4: Repeat the process for t = 8000 s. Draw a tangent line to the curve at t = 8000 s and calculate its slope. This will give you the instantaneous rate at t = 8000 s.
5. Step 5: Remember that the instantaneous rate of a reaction at a particular time is the slope of the tangent to the curve of concentration versus time at that time. It represents the speed of the reaction at that specific moment.

Key Concepts

Isomerization

Isomerization is a chemical process where a compound is transformed into one of its isomers, which are molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements. In this case, methyl isonitrile is converted to acetonitrile, highlighting the importance of understanding structural differences and their implications on chemical properties and reactivity.

Reaction Rate

The reaction rate refers to the speed at which reactants are converted into products in a chemical reaction. It can be expressed in terms of concentration change over time, typically in units of molarity per second (M/s). Understanding how to calculate and interpret reaction rates is crucial for analyzing kinetic data, such as the provided concentration values over time.

Graphical Analysis of Kinetics

Graphical analysis in kinetics involves plotting concentration versus time to visualize the reaction's progress and determine instantaneous rates. By analyzing the slope of the concentration-time graph at specific time points, such as 5000 s and 8000 s, one can derive the rate of reaction at those moments, which is essential for understanding the dynamics of the isomerization process.