Write the rate laws for the following elementary reactions. (Rate expressions take the general form: rate = k . [A]a . [B]b.)

Question

Write the rate laws for the following elementary reactions. (Rate expressions take the general form: rate = k . [A]a . [B]b.)

20    20

   F → Ne + β (nuclear decay)

9    10

-Hello, I know the general form of how to do this is basically xA + yB → products so rate = k [A]^x [B]^y

How would I find the rate law if it is set up like this and what does it mean by nuclear decay? Thank you 

Answer 1

As you state, hen you have an elementary step, you can use the coefficients of each reactant as the exponent in the rate law. You would do exactly that for the current situation. There is only a single reactant for the β nuclear decay of F-20 to Ne-20 and what nuclear decay means that in this case, F is decaying to Ne by emitting a β particle (an electron), and nuclear decay is a first order reaction, But even if you didn't know that, you can write the rate law as...

rate = k[²⁰₉Fe]