Chemistry I / Reaction Kinetics
Practice question · Numerical answer

A first-order reaction has a half-life of 25 s. What percentage of the original reactant remains after 75 s?

Hints
  1. Work out how many half-lives fit into the elapsed time.
  2. 75 s is three half-lives, and each one halves what is left.
Show the answer

12.5 (answers within ±0.6 count)

Why

75 s is 75/25=375/25 = 3 half-lives, so the fraction remaining is (1/2)3=1/8=12.5(1/2)^3 = 1/8 = 12.5 %. Note the reactant is never entirely consumed in a first-order process.

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