Nitroglycerine decomposes via a first-order process. Solutions of nitroglycerine with
different initial concentrations were heated to . After a certain time, the
percentage of compound reacted was measured for each solution, as shown in the
table.
| Initial Concentration (M) |
Time (s) |
Nitroglycerine Reacted (%) |
| 4.88 |
300 |
52.0 |
| 3.52 |
300 |
52.9 |
| 2.29 |
300 |
53.2 |
| 1.81 |
300 |
53.9 |
| 5.33 |
180 |
34.6 |
| 4.05 |
180 |
35.9 |
| 2.95 |
180 |
36.0 |
| 1.72 |
180 |
35.4 |
By calculating the rate constants for each of these reactions, estimate the mean rate
constant for the decomposition of nitroglycerine at .
