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The Second-Order Integrated Rate Law

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State

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.

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Butadiene's dimerization gives a linear 1/[C4H6]-versus-time plot, while its ln[C4H6] plot curves, confirming second order.

Watch for

Checking only one order's plot risks a false match — comparing both plots is what actually distinguishes them.