First Order Reaction Equations

[Kyra Dingle 1B]

How do you know when to use
or when to use ?
Are there specific instances when we use each?

[Priyanka Bhakta 1L]

I believe that both those equations are equivalent. I'm not sure where you got the equation with ln( [A]o / [A]t ) and a positive +kt, but they seem to be the same thing. Use them to find the k reaction constant value or t time it takes to get to a certain concentration from a given initial concentration. (all for a first order reaction only)

[Tiffany Dao 1A]

They are the same equation. The only difference is the way you write the equation that they are derived from. In this case for ln [A]t/[A]o = -kt, it is derived from ln[A]t - ln[A]o = -kt
While the other equation comes from ln[A]o - ln[A]t = kt, which can be rewritten as -ln[A]t +ln[A]o =kt, if you compare this to the above equation, you just multiplied both sides by -1, therefore they are pretty much the same thing and should give you the same answer.

[Patricia Macalalag 2E]

It's the same thing, you should get the same answer.