KNOWN OWL PROBLEMS:
Superscripts/Subscripts/Exponents:
Not really a problem, but a format problem:
For subscripts, use underlines on each side of the number. For
superscripts, use ^ on each side. So H2O is H_2_O and
Ba(NO3)2 is Ba(NO_3_) _2_ In addition, for
oxidation numbers, put the number first, followed by a - or +. So
Ca2+ is Ca^2+^
So for a rate law of that is first order for
copper plus 2 ions and second order for carbon dioxide:
rate = k [Cu^2+^] [CO_2_]^2^
For numerical exponents use e for exponent.
2 times 10 to the power of -2 is: 2e-2
Use scientific notation, so .0001 is 1 times 10 to the power of
-4, which you would type in
1e-4
102 Arrhenius Equation:
Here is one form of the equation:
ln k1/k2 = Ea /R [ 1/T2 - 1/T1
]
Owl uses:
ln k1/k2 = - Ea /R [ 1/T1 - 1/T2
]
Note that with the negative sign on Ea, the two equations are exactly equal. So you will get the correct answer, but the explanation may be confusing if you are not aware that [ 1/T2 - 1/T1 ] = -[ 1/T1 - 1/T2 ] .