NEET 2025 Chemistry Question 56 Solution
Question
If the half-life (t₁/₂) for a first order reaction is 1 minute, then the time required for 99.9% completion of the reaction is closest to:
Dynamic 180-question full-length simulator mixed dynamically from all 6 years for 2027 & 2026 aspirants.
If the half-life (t₁/₂) for a first order reaction is 1 minute, then the time required for 99.9% completion of the reaction is closest to:
For any first order reaction, t_{99.9%} = 10 × t_{1/2}! Since t_{1/2} = 1 minute, t_{99.9%} = 10 × 1 min = 10 minutes!
For a first-order reaction with rate constant k, the time t required for reactant concentration to decrease from [R]₀ to [R]_t is:
Substitute k = 2.303 log(2) / t_{1/2} = 0.693 / t_{1/2} into the integrated rate equation:
Substitute t_{1/2} = 1 minute:
Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.
Incorrect. 2 half-lives corresponds to 75% completion ((1/2)² = 1/4 remaining).
Incorrect. 4 half-lives corresponds to 93.75% completion.
Incorrect. 5 half-lives corresponds to 96.875% completion.
100% correct. Canonical relation t_{99.9%} = 10 × t_{1/2} = 10 minutes.
t_{99%} ≈ 6.64 × t_{1/2}, whereas t_{99.9%} = 10 × t_{1/2}. Always count the nines: three nines (99.9%) means 10⁻³ remaining, which requires 10 half-lives (2¹⁰ = 1024)!
"For a first order reaction, t_{99.9%} = 10 × t_{1/2}."
Test your speed and accuracy in the authentic 180-minute timed NTA simulator.
Spotted a mistake in this solution? Report an error ([email protected])
Cover all 1,140 official NEET questions in 285 days at your own pace. Progress is saved on your device. No login needed.