1. What is Quarter Life of First Order Reaction?

Definition: Quarter life of a first order reaction is the time at which the concentration of reactant becomes one-fourth of its initial concentration.

Purpose: It helps chemists and chemical engineers understand reaction kinetics and predict how quickly reactants will be consumed.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( T_{1/4} \) — Quarter life of the reaction (seconds)
• \( k \) — Rate constant for first order reaction (1/seconds)

Explanation: The natural logarithm of 4 (≈1.386) divided by the rate constant gives the time required for the concentration to reduce to 25% of its initial value.

3. Importance of Quarter Life Calculation

Details: Understanding quarter life helps in designing chemical processes, determining reaction mechanisms, and predicting product formation rates.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the rate constant for the first order reaction in 1/seconds. The value must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is quarter life different from half-life?
A: Half-life is when concentration reduces to 50%, while quarter life is when it reduces to 25% of initial value.

Q2: Does quarter life depend on initial concentration?
A: No, for first order reactions, quarter life is independent of initial concentration.

Q3: What are typical values for rate constants?
A: Rate constants vary widely depending on the reaction, from very slow (10^-6 1/s) to extremely fast (10^9 1/s).

Q4: Can this calculator be used for other reaction orders?
A: No, this formula is specific to first order reactions. Other reaction orders have different quarter life equations.

Q5: How does temperature affect quarter life?
A: Higher temperatures typically increase the rate constant, resulting in shorter quarter life values.