A NEW MODELING-COMPATIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FIRST-ORDER KINETICS EQUATION¹

Abstract

Chemical kinetics has severely limited application to many natural reactions because of both reversibility and complexity of the reactions. A proposed new solution of the first-order kinetics equation allows both reversible and multiple reactions in the same system. Solution is obtained by fitting the equation to an experimental data set. Apparent rate coefficients can thereby be obtained for the reactions involved. This approach provides a guide to the number of reactions involved and their respective rates. The solution of this equation cannot attain the precision of more traditional kinetic approaches, and proposed reactions must be confirmed by independent means. Even without confirmation, however, this equation does provide a convenient means of mathematically describing a data set.