Enter the half-life time into the Calculator. The calculator will evaluate the Elimination Rate Constant. 

Elimination Rate Constant Formula

k = .693 / t-1/2

Variables:

  • k is the Elimination Rate Constant ()
  • t-1/2 is the half-life time

To calculate Elimination Rate Constant, divide .693 by the half-life time.

How to Calculate Elimination Rate Constant?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Elimination Rate Constant.

  • First, determine the half-life time. 
  • Next, gather the formula from above = k = .693 / t-1/2.
  • Finally, calculate the Elimination Rate Constant.
  • After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

half life time = 50

FAQ Section

What is a half-life time?

Half-life time is the duration required for a quantity to reduce to half its initial value. It is commonly used in physics, chemistry, and pharmacology to describe how quickly unstable particles decay or how fast an active drug is eliminated from the body.

Why is the Elimination Rate Constant important?

The Elimination Rate Constant (k) is crucial because it helps understand how quickly a substance is removed from an organism or system. In pharmacokinetics, for example, it can dictate the frequency and dosage of medication necessary to maintain effective therapeutic levels without causing toxicity.

How can the half-life of a substance be determined experimentally?

The half-life of a substance can be determined by measuring the concentration of the substance at various times and plotting these values on a graph. The time it takes for the concentration to decrease by half can then be read from the plot. This method is widely used in both chemical and biological studies.

Are there any limitations to using the Elimination Rate Constant formula?

While the formula k = .693 / t-1/2 provides a straightforward way to calculate the Elimination Rate Constant, it assumes a first-order kinetic process where the rate of elimination is directly proportional to the concentration of the substance. This assumption may not hold true for all substances under all conditions, potentially limiting the formula’s accuracy in those cases.