The isomerization of methyl isonitrile (CH3NC) to acetonitrile (CH3CN) was studied in the gas phase at 215 °C, and the following data were obtained:
| Time(s) |
[CH3NC](M) |
| 0 |
0.0165 |
| 2000 |
0.011 |
| 5000 |
0.0059 |
| 8000 |
0.0031 |
| 12000 |
0.0014 |
| 15000 |
0.0007 |
(a) Calculate the average rate of reaction, in M/s, for the time interval between each measurement.
(b) Calculate the average rate of reaction over the entire time of the data from t = 0 to t = 15,000 s.
(c) Graph [CH3NC] versus time and determine the instantaneous rates in M/s at t = 5000 s and t = 8000 s.