Factors affecting the rate of

reaction
 Experiment 1.1: To investigate the effect of the
surface area of a reactant on the rate of reaction .
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Problem statement
 How does the surface area of a solid reactant
affect rate of reaction?
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Hypothesis
 The smaller the size of the reactant particles, that is, the
larger the total surface area of the reactant particles, the
faster the rate of reaction.
Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Apparatus
 Conical flask, delivery tube fitted with a rubber stopper,
retort stand and clamp, burette, measuring cylinder and
stopwatch.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Materials
 Marble chips, powdered marble and 0.2 mol dm -3

hydrochloric acid.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Experiment 1
 The rate of reaction using large marble chips
 Procedure
 1 A burette is filled with water and inverted over a basin containing
water. The burette is clamped to the retort stand. The water level
in the burette is adjusted and the initial burette reading is recorded.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Experiment 1
 The rate of reaction using large marble chips
 Procedure
 2. 5.0 g of marble chips are placed in a small conical flask.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Experiment 1
 The rate of reaction using large marble chips
 Procedure
 3. 50 cm3 of 0.2 mol dm-3 hydrochloric acid is added to the marble
chips.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Experiment 1
 The rate of reaction using large marble chips
 Procedure
 4 The delivery tube with a rubber stopper is inserted into the mouth
of the conical flask (Figure 1.13). The stopwatch is started
simultaneously.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Experiment 1
 The rate of reaction using large marble chips
 Procedure
 5 The burette readings are recorded at 30-second intervals.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Experiment 1
 The rate of reaction using large marble chips
 Results
Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Experiment II - The rate of reaction using
powdered marble
 Procedure
 2 The results of the experiment are recorded in
the following table.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Results
 Based on the results
obtained, a graph of
the total volume of
carbon dioxide
produced against
time for each
experiment is
plotted on the same
axes (Figure 1.11).
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 1 Figure 1.12 shows the graphs that will be
obtained if the reactions in Experiments I and II
are completed.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 2 Figure 1.15 shows that both graphs level off at
the same value. This indicates that the maximum
volume of carbon dioxide collected at the end of
reaction for both Experiments I and II are the
same (that is, 120 cm3).
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 2 Figure 1.15 shows that both graphs level off at
the same value. This indicates that the maximum
volume of carbon dioxide collected at the end of
reaction for both Experiments I and II are the
same (that is, 120 cm3). This happens because the
masses of the marble and the volumes of the
hydrochloric acid used in both the experiments are
the same.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 3 The gradient of the graphs for Experiments I and II
become less steep as the reactions proceed.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 3 The gradient of the graphs for Experiments I and II
become less steep as the reactions proceed. This shows that
the rates of reaction

(a) are very high at the beginning of the reaction,
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 3 The gradient of the graphs for Experiments I and II
become less steep as the reactions proceed. This shows that
the rates of reaction
 (a) are very high at the beginning of the reaction,

(b) decrease as the reactions proceed,
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 3 The gradient of the graphs for Experiments I and II
become less steep as the reactions proceed. This shows that
the rates of reaction
 (a) are very high at the beginning of the reaction,
 (b) decrease as the reactions proceed,

(c) become zero when the reactions have completed. At
this time, the graphs become horizontal.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 4 The rate of reaction between the marble and
hydrochloric acid decreases because

(a) the mass of the remaining unreacted marble
decreases.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 4 The rate of reaction between the marble and
hydrochloric acid decreases because
 (a) the mass of the remaining unreacted marble decreases.

(b) the concentration of hydrochloric acid decreases.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 5 The reaction in Experiment I stops after t2 minutes while
the reaction in Experiment II stops after t1, minutes, where
t1 < t2. This shows that the rate of reaction for Experiment II
(powdered marble) is faster than the rate of reaction for
Experiment I (marble chips).
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction

6 The total volume of carbon dioxide
collected in the burette is usually slightly less than
the theoretical value.
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 6 The total volume of carbon dioxide collected in the
burette is usually slightly less than the theoretical value.
This is because carbon dioxide is slightly soluble in
water. To overcome this problem, a gas syringe is used to
collect carbon dioxide released during the experiment
(Figure 1.13).
 Factors affecting the rate of
reaction
 Conclusion:
 Graph (II) is steeper than graph (I). This shows that the
rate of reaction in Experiment II is faster than the rate of
reaction in Experiment I. Powdered marble is used in
Experiment II. Thus, the rate is faster with powdered marble
than with marble chips. Hence, we can conclude that the
smaller the particle size, the larger the total surface
area exposed for reaction and the faster the
rate of reaction.
Concentration
 Concentration
 Problem statement
 How does the concentration of a reactant affect the rate
of reaction between sodium thiosulphate and dilute sulphuric
acid?
 Concentration
 Hypothesis
 The more concentrated the sodium
thiosulphate solution, the higher the rate of
reaction.
Concentration
Concentration
 Concentration
 Apparatus
 10 cm3 and 100 cm3 measuring cylinders, 100 cm3
conical flask, white paper marked with a cross 'X',
and stopwatch.
 Concentration
 Materials
 0.2 mol dm -3 sodium thiosulphate solution, 1.0
mol dm-3 sulphuric acid and distilled water.
 Concentration
 Procedure
 1 50 cm3 of 0.2 mol dm-3 sodium thiosulphate solution is
measured out using a 100 cm3 measuring cylinder. The
solution is then poured into a clean, dry conical flask.
 Concentration
 Procedure
 2 The conical flask is placed on a piece of paper with
across `X' marked on it (Figure 1.14).
 Concentration
 Procedure
 3 5 cm3 of dilute sulphuric acid is measured out by using a
10 cm3 measuring cylinder. The acid is then quickly poured
into sodium thiosulphate solution. The stopwatch is started
immediately.
 Concentration
 Procedure
 4 The reaction mixture is swirled once and the cross `X' is
viewed from above. A yellow precipitate will appear slowly in
the conical flask.
 Concentration
 Procedure
 5 The stopwatch is stopped as soon as the cross
disappears from view and the time taken is recorded.
 Concentration
 Procedure
 6 Steps 1 to 5 are repeated with different mixtures of
sodium thiosulphate solution and distilled water as shown in
the following table.
 Concentration
 Results
Experiment 1 2 3 4 5
Volume of Na2S2O3(cm3) 50 40 30 20 10
Volume of water 0 10 20 30 40
Volume of H2SO4(cm3) 5 5 5 5 5
Concentration of 0.20 0.16 0.12 0.08 0.04
Na2S2O3(moldm-3)
Time taken(s) 24 30 42 62 111
1 0.042 0.033 0.024 0.016 0.009
( s 1 )
Time

M 1V1
M2  50 x M= 40 x 0.2
V2
 Concentration
 Discussion
 1. Sodium thiosulphate, Na2 S2 O3 , reacts with
dilute sulphuric acid according to the equation:
 Na2S2O3(aq) + H2 SO4(aq)  Na2SO4(aq) + H2O(l)
+ SO2(g) + S(s)
 Concentration
 Discussion
 1. Sodium thiosulphate, Na2 S2 O3 , reacts with
dilute sulphuric acid according to the equation:
 Na2S2O3(aq) + H2 SO4(aq)  Na2SO4(aq) + H2O(l)
+ SO2(g) + S(s)

 The ionic equation is as follows:

 S2O32- (aq) + 2H+ (aq)  S(s) + SO2(g) + H2O(l)
 The sulphur is precipitated as fine particles and
causes the solution to turn cloudy.
 Concentration
 Discussion
 2 As the amount of sulphur increases, the cross `X'
becomes more and more difficult to see. Finally, the cross
`X' disappears from view when a certain mass of sulphur is
precipitated. Hence, the time recorded for the disappearance
of the cross `X' is the time taken for the formation of a fixed
mass of sulphur.
 Concentration
 Discussion mass of sulphur produced
 3 Rate of reaction =
time taken
1
Hence, rate of reaction 
time taken for the cross ' X' to disappear
 Concentration
 Discussion
 4 The concentration of sodium thiosulphate solution after
mixing with water can be obtained by using the following
formula:
 Concentration of Na2S2O3
M 1V1 0.2  volume of Na 2 S 2 O3 used
 =  moldm 3
V2 50
 Concentration
 Discussion
 5 Based on the
experimental results
obtained, two graphs
can be plotted.
 (a) The graph of
concentration of
sodium thiosulphate
against time

 (Graph I, Figure 1.15).

 Concentration

(b) The graph of

concentration of sodium
thiosulphate against 1
time taken

(Graph II, Figure 1.16)

 Concentration
 6 The conical flask used for each experiment must have
the same size (for example, 100 cm3 volume). If the
conical flask of a larger size (for example, 250 cm3 volume)
is used, the time, t, taken for the cross `X' to disappear will
increase. When the diameter of the bottom of conical flask
increases, a greater amount of sulphur must be formed for
the cross `X' to disappear. Conversely, if a smaller conical
flask (for example, 50 cm3 volume) is used, the time taken
for the cross to disappear will be shorter.
 Concentration

 7 If the experiment is repeated with dilute

sulphuric acid of different concentrations, but the
concentration of sodium thiosulphate is kept
constant, the rate of reaction will also be directly
proportional to the concentration of the acid used.
 Concentration
 Conclusion
 1 From graph I, we can conclude that:
 (a) the higher the concentration of sodium
thiosulphate, the shorter the time taken
for a certain mass of sulphur to he precipitated,
that is, for the cross `X' to disappear from view.
 Concentration
 Conclusion
 1 From graph I, we can conclude that:
 (b) This means that the higher the
concentration of sodium thiosulphate, the
faster the rate of reaction.
 Concentration
 Conclusion
 2 From graph II, it can be concluded that the
concentration of sodium thiosulphate is directly
proportional to 1
time
1
 Concentration of Na2S2O3  ……….(1)
time

Higher concentration, shorter time

 Concentration

1
Concentration of Na2S2O3 
time
1
 3 But the rate of reaction is  …………(2)
time

 Hence, combining equations (1) 1

and (2), we have,
concentration of Na2S2O3   time  reaction rate.

 That is, rate of reaction  concentration of

Na2S2O3 solution. The hypothesis is accepted.
 Temperature

 Experiment 1.3: to study the effect of

temperature on the rate of reaction
between sodium thiosulphate solution and
dilute sulphuric acid
 Temperature

 Problem statement
 How does temperature affect the rate of
reaction between sodium thiosulphate
solution and sulphuric acid?
 Temperature

 Hypothesis
 The higher the temperature of the reactant,
the faster the rate of reaction.
 Temperature

 Variables
 (a) Manipulated variable: The temperature
of sodium thiosulphate solution
 Temperature
 Variables
 (b) Responding variable: The time taken for the
cross `X' to disappear
 (c) Fixed (controlled) variables: The
concentrations and volumes of both sodium
thiosulphate solution and dilute sulphuric acid
 Temperature

 Apparatus
 Conical flask, 10 cm3 measuring cylinder,
thermometer, stopwatch, white paper
marked with a cross `X', wire gauze, tripod
stand, and Bunsen burner.
 Temperature

 Apparatus
 Conical flask, 10 cm3
measuring cylinder,
thermometer,
stopwatch, white
paper marked with a
cross `X', wire
gauze, tripod stand,
and Bunsen burner.
 Temperature

 Materials
 0.1 mol dm-3 sodium thiosulphate solution and
1.0 mol dm-3 sulphuric acid.
 Temperature
 Procedure
 Experiment I
 Rate of reaction at room temperature
 1 50 cm3 of 0.1 mol dm-3 sodium thiosulphate solution is
measured out using a 100 cm3 measuring cylinder, and
poured into a clean, dry conical flask. The temperature of
the sodium thiosulphate solution is measured with a
thermometer.
 Temperature
 Experiment I
 Rate of reaction at room temperature
 2 The conical flask is placed on a white paper marked with
a cross 'X' (Figure 1.17).
 3 5 cm3 of l mol dm-3 sulphuric acid is measured out using
a 10 cm3 measuring cylinder. The acid is then quickly poured
into the sodium thiosulphate solution.
 Temperature
 Experiment I
 Rate of reaction at room temperature
 4 The stopwatch is started immediately and the conical
flask is swirled gently.
 5 The cross 'X' is viewed from above. The stopwatch is
stopped as soon as the cross disappears from view and the
time taken is recorded.
 Temperature
 Experiment II to V
 6 The solution in the conical flask is poured out. The
conical flask is washed thoroughly and dried. 50 cm3 of 0.1
mol dm-3 sodium thiosulphate solution is poured into the
conical flask. The solution is heated over a wire gauze until
the temperature reaches about 45 °C (Figure 1.18).
 Temperature
 Experiment II to V
 Rate of reaction at temperatures above room temperature
 7 The hot conical flask is placed over a white paper
marked with a cross X.
 8 5 cm3 of 1 mol dm-3 sulphuric acid is measured out
using a 10 cm3 measuring cylinder.
 Temperature
 Experiment II to V
 Rate of reaction at temperatures above room temperature
 9 . When the temperature of sodium thiosulphate solution
falls to 40 °C, the sulphuric acid is quickly poured into the
thiosulphate solution. The stopwatch is started immediately
and the conical flask is swirled gently.
 Temperature
 Experiment II to V
 Rate of reaction at temperatures above room temperature
 10 The cross 'X' is viewed from the top and the time taken
for the cross to disappear from view is recorded.
 11 Steps 6 to 9 are repeated at higher temperatures as
shown in the following table.
 Temperature

 Results
 Temperature
 Results
 Based on the
results of the
experiment, a
graph temperature
of sodium
thiosulphate 1
solution against time
 is plotted (Figure
1.19).
 Temperature

 Conclusion:
 1 The graph shows that the temperature of
sodium thiosulphate solution is proportional (but
not linearly) to 1
time
 Temperature

 Conclusion:
 2 Temperature 
1 ... (1)
time
1
 But rate of reaction  ... (2)
time
 Combining equations (1) and (2), we have,
 Rate of reaction  temperature
 Temperature

 Conclusion:
 3 The higher the temperature of
the experiment, the faster the rate
of reaction.