The thermal decomposition of formic acid (HCOOH) is a first order reaction with the rate constant of `2.4 xx 10^(-3)s^(-1)` at a certain temperature.Calculate how long will it take for three-fourth of initial quantity of HCOOH to decompose.

Explanation

For first order reaction,
`k=(2.303/t)loga/(a-x), t= 2.303/k loga/(a-x)`
`a=1, a-x=1-3/4= 1/4, k=2.4 xx 10^(-3)s^(-1)`
`t = 2.303/(2.4 xx 10^(-3)s^(-1)) log1/(1//4) = (2.303)/(2.4 xx 10^(-3)s^(-1))` = 578 s