Chemistry / Unit 9 Chem 1663 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Second-Order Integrated Rate Law
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The idea
For a second-order reaction in one reactant, the reciprocal of concentration rises linearly with time, so 1/[A] plotted against time gives a straight line.
In practice
Butadiene's dimerization gives a linear 1/[C4H6]-versus-time plot, while its ln[C4H6] plot curves, confirming second order.
Where people slip
Checking only one order's plot risks a false match — comparing both plots is what actually distinguishes them.
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