The Factors that Affect the Rate of a Chemical Reaction

The Factors that Affect the Rate of a Chemical Reaction

Planning

I have been asked it investigate what factors can influence the rate

of a chemical reaction. I will be reacting magnesium and hydrochloric

acid. To measure the rate of a reaction, I will time how long it will

take the reaction to produce 5ml, 10ml, 15ml, and 20ml of hydrogen.

There are a number of variables that can affect the rate of my

experiment i.e.

Ø Size of the magnesium, this is because there is more surface area:

more magnesium is exposed to the hydrochloric acid and therefore more

acid can attack the magnesium.

Ø The concentration of the acid, this is because there are more acid

molecules in a greater molar of acid and therefore more acid molecules

can attack the magnesium atoms.

Ø Catalysts, weakening bond, this will increase the rate of the

reaction by lowering activation energy. (A catalyst will not be used

in my experiment)

Ø Temperature, this is because heat will give more energy to the

reaction and therefore the particle will move around faster causing

more collisions between the magnesium atoms and hydrochloric acid

molecules.

[IMAGE][IMAGE][IMAGE]I have decided to investigate how the

concentration of the acid can affect the rate of a reaction. To make

this a fair test I will change the concentration of the acid, but keep

the other variables constant. I predict that the higher the

concentration the faster the reaction will take place; this is because

in a higher concentration of acid there are more acid molecules in a

set volume. This means there will be more chance of the magnesium

atoms colliding with the acid molecules and reacting. This is like a

room with a few people in, as there is not many people in the room

this is a low chance of them colliding. However, as the number of

people increases there is more and more chance of them colliding. In

theory, if the concentration is doubles the then rate of the reaction