Investigating How Surface Area Affects the Method Rate of the Catalase Reaction

Investigating How Surface Area Affects the Method Rate of the Catalase Reaction

Aim- to investigate how surface area affects the method rate of the

catalase reaction.

Equipment

· Avocado

· Borer

· Knife

· White tile

· Goggles

· Apron

· Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

· Conical flask

· Trough

· Water (H2O)

· Ruler

· Measuring cylinder

· Delivery tube

· Test tubes

· Test tube holder

· Bung

· Thermometer

· Stop watch

Labelled diagram of the apparatus

Method

To calculate the surface area you have to no the radius of the top of

your cylinder of avocado and the length. The length is 5cm and the

radius is 5mm, so we calculated (using r²):

Πx 2.5² = 19.63 (this is the area of a circle, therefore the top of

the cylinder). We then calculated how big the cylinder was, so we

calculated (using Î x 5 = 15.71):

15.71 x5 = 78.54 (this is the surface area of the cylinder). To get

the whole cylinder all we had to do is calculate 78.54 + 19.63x2 (two

ends to a cylinder), which gives us the total surface area of a

cylinder. For two pieces of avocado we had to use the same calculation

(underlined above), but times 19.63 by 4. For three pieces of avocado

use the same calculation, but times 19.63 by 6, and so on and so on.

First we will set up the equipment as shown, and then we will put on

some goggles and an apron to protect us from any spilt chemicals. We

will then draw a results table; in the table we must state the surface

area of each piece of avocado.

We will carefully peel and the avocado using a knife, we will then use

the corer to core five 50mm cylinders of avocado using a ruler. If the

cylinders have dents or chips in them then we will have to state these