Rate of Gas Production

Background:
Hydrochloric acid when reacted with Zinc metal produces Zinc Chloride and
Hydrogen Gas
We can measure the amount of gas produced by using the Ideal Gas Law and
plugging in the known variables.
Does temperature affect the rate of reaction between Hydrochloric acid and Zinc metal?
Hypothesis- If the temperature of the Hydrochloric Acid solution is increased, the rate of
reaction to produce hydrogen gas between it and zinc metal will also increase because as
the temperature is increased by 10 C, the rate will double given Arrhenius equation.
IV-Temperature of Acid
Levels-n, n+10, n+20, where n is the starting temperature of the acid in Celsius
Trials-3
DV-Rate of reaction (mols/minute)
CVs-Concentration of the acid, time of reaction, flask size, form of Zinc, temperature of
Zinc.
Materials:
Zinc metal
Hydrochloric acid (2 Mol)
Flasks
Beaker
Thermometer
Balloons
Method
1. Measure 50ml of 2 mol HCl into the Erlenmeyer flask.
2. Measure the temperature of the acid.
3. Pour 5 grams of zinc dust into the solution and quickly cover it with a balloon.
4. Time the reaction for 5 minutes while collecting the gas.
5. Use the gas syringe to measure the gas collected.
6. Using the hot plate to heat the acid, repeat steps 1-5 with the hotter acid.
Collected Data
Temperature

Hydrogen Gas

Hydrogen Gas

Hydrogen Gas

Average

Rate

23 C
o

39ml

16ml

27ml

27.33ml

0.00158 mol/min

33 C
o

62ml

59ml

73ml

64.66ml

0.00361 mol/min

43 C

96ml

105ml

122ml

107.66ml

0.00582 mol/min

Transformed Data

140
120
100
80

Trial 1
Trial 2

60

Trial 3

40
20
0
23.3

33.299999999999997

43.3

Conclusion
The hypothesis was proven because the rate of hydrogen gas production in the reaction
between hydrochloric acid and zinc increased as the temperature of the acid was increased.
When the temperature of the acid was at its highest, 43 C, the rate of gas produced was
0.00582 mol/min. At room temperature, the rate of hydrogen gas production was just
0.00158 mol/min. As the temperature was increased by 10 C, the rate approximately
doubled, as hypothesis states.
o

Evaluation of Method