Error Analysis of Absolute Rate Coefficient Extrapolated under Pseudo-First Order Conditions

Abstract

Computer based simulations for the reaction of nitrogen(II) oxide with thehydroxyl radical have been used to estimate the error associated with the pseudo-firstorder approximation under different simulated conditions. For the absolute ratecoefficients, calculated by dividing the pseudo-first order constant by the concentration ofthe reactant in excess, the analysis of the relative error associated with working underpseudo-first order conditions shows that for a reactants’ ratio higher than 10, the relativeerror is less than 5%.