Chemical kinetics: expiremental determination of a

rate law
Name: Hussam Sayed
Partner lab: wael and Malek
Lab instructor: Ms. Joelle Fadlallah

Abstract:
The purpose of the experiment is to study the rate law for a chemical reaction. By investigating
the reaction occurring between the dye molecules which was found as crystal violet with
hydroxide ions which then was found to create a colorless solution. And by monitoring the
change of color of the solution after introducing the reactants together, the determination of the
reaction progress has been conducted. 10mL 0.1M of CV and 10mL 0.2M of NaOH were poured
in a beaker and stir carefully. The mixed solution should be poured in the cuvette and placed in
the calorimeter, print the graph (Absorbance vs. Time). For both trials, and after changing the
concentration, the rate order remained one. From the graph the constant Keff were found using
the slope of the graph. A real world application of the rate law and chemical kinetics would be
that it could be used to study food decomposition, therefore estimating the expiry date. In
conclusion, the change of concentrations will not affect the rate order, but the rate constant will
change.

Results
Trial 1
Concentration (NaOH)
0.1M
0.2M

Rate constant (Keff)

0.105
0.3894

Trial 2
Concentration (NaOH)
0.1M
0.2M

Rate constant (Keff)

0.1059
0.2968

Discussion:
The rate order is not dependent on the change of concentration. However, concentration will
make changes to the rate constant. The absorbance isnt directly proportional to the time.
However, if taken ln the absorbance, the data will be found directly proportional as shown in
graph 2 which makes the reaction first order.
The rate law was then be formed as the following:
Rate= k [CV+]^m [OH-]^n

Calculations:

Y=

ln

K effB
K effA

( ) (

ln ( 0.5 )

ln

0.105
0.3894
=1.891
ln ( 0.5 )

K effA =K [ NaOH ] K=

K effA

[ NaOH ]

0.3894
=8.169
0.11.891