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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2002  > December  >
In the Classroom
Using a Graphing Calculator to Determine a First-Order Rate Constant When the Infinity Reading Is Unknown
José E. Cortés-Figueroa
Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, PR 00681-9019

Deborah A. Moore
Department of Mathematics, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, PR 00681-9019

Cover
December 2002
Vol. 79 No. 12
p. 1462
Abstract
The infinity value is an important aspect of first-order reactions that is often neglected. In fact, incorrect or missing infinity values can produce curvature of the logarithmic plot which can lead to incorrect assumptions that a reaction is not first-order. This paper uses data from the classic acid–catalyzed sucrose inversion experiment to demonstrate how to use a graphing calculator as an alternate means to determine the infinity value of the physical property being used to follow the progress of a chemical reaction and how to determine the rate constant which governs a first-order reaction when the infinity value is unknown.

See Letter re: this article.
More Information
*  Citation
 Cortés-Figueroa, José E. ; Moore, Deborah A. J. Chem. Educ. 2002 79 1462.
*  Keywords
 Calculator-Based Learning; Computer Assisted Instruction; Kinetics; Physical Chemistry; Teaching / Learning Aids
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 October 29, 2002
March 16, 2005
Link to Letter added (April 2004).
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