(multiple choice) A reaction displays first order kinetics it therefore follows that a plot of ......

Question

versus time is linear and the slope of this plot.........

a)[reactant];-k

b)[reactant];k

c)1/[reactant];k

d)1/[reactant];-k

e)ln[reactant];-k

Answer 1

First order kinetics means the rate is proportional to the amount of material present.  So plots of reactant vs. time are not linear, they depend on the amount of reactant.  They aren't inverse, either, that would be that the rate goes faster when there's less material.  The plot of reactant is exponential decay, like radioactivity, and so the plot of the logarithm with time is linear.    The rate equation is R = e^(-kt)  So the slope of the line is -k.  Therefore, the answer is e.