Rates of Reaction Investigation

Rates of Reaction Investigation

Aim

The aim of the experiment is to find out the how long it would take

for Hydrochloric acid to react with Sodium Thiosulphate to make an

opaque solution that will obscure the vision of seeing a cross drawn

on a piece of paper below the solution. This will prove that, either,

it will take longer for a chemical to react when heated or it will

take slower for a chemical to react when heated.

Equipment

· 5cm cubed of Hydrochloric acid

· 10cm cubed of Sodium Thiosulphate

· 40cm cubed of water

· Beaker

· Paper with cross on

· Bunsen burner

· Safety Goggles

· Heat proof mat.

· Thermometer

· Tripod

· Gorse

· Timer

Prediction

I think that the hotter the solution is, the quicker the reaction will

take place. The colder the solution is, the slower the reaction will

take place. This is because atoms within the reactants have to collide

for a chemical reaction to take place. The smallest amount of energy

that is required to make the atoms collide is known as the ‘activation

energyÂ’. The energy (from the heat, although it can come from many

other sources, such as movement) causes the atoms in the substance to

collide. As the atoms collide, they cause other atoms to collide with

other atoms, thus the energy is spreading through the substance. The

more energy there is, the harder the atoms collide; and the more they

collide, the faster the reaction takes place. Although temperature can

change the rate of reaction, so may other factors. This may alter our

results.

[IMAGE]These factors include:

· Concentration of the chemicals used. If we have to repeat the

experiment further on another day then the concentration may change as

the actual chemical it self may not be exactly the same as before.

Also on this point, the chemicals may become contaminated while or