Practical Endorsement GCE Chemistry

PAG10 Rate of reaction – initial rate method

10.3 Rates – Activation energy
LEARNER

10.3 Rates – Activation energy LEARNER

Introduction
Potassium manganate(VII), KMnO4(aq), reacts with ethanedioic acid, H2C2O4(aq), to produce a brown colour.
The rate equation for this reaction is shown below.

rate = k[KMnO4(aq)][H2C2O4(aq)]

The rate of this reaction can be followed by observing the formation of the brown colour.

From the start of each experiment, you will time how long it takes for the brown colour to appear. The initial rate
of the reaction can be determined from this time.

In this experiment, you will measure this time at several different temperatures.
You will then use the Arrhenius equation to determine the activation energy, Ea, for the reaction.

The Arrhenius equation shows how the rate constant, k, of a chemical reaction varies with temperature T.

Arrhenius equation: k = Ae–Ea/RT

 k: rate constant
 A: pre-exponential factor (a factor that includes collision frequency and orientation of collision)
 Ea: activation energy
 R: ideal gas constant
 T: temperature (in K)

The logarithmic form of the Arrhenius equation allows Ea and A to be determined graphically as the equation
matches the equation for a straight line: y = mx + c

Ea
ln k = – + ln A
RT
E 1
ln k = – a + ln A
R T
y = m x + c

So a plot of ln k against 1/T gives a straight line with

 gradient m of – Ea/R (gradient is negative)
 intercept c of ln A on the y axis.

Aims and Skills

 to determine the rate of reaction using an initial rates method
 to apply investigative approaches and methods to practical work
 to use appropriate software to process data

Intended class time

 1 hour

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 Practical Endorsement GCE Chemistry
PAG10 Rate of reaction – initial rate method
10.3 Rates – Activation energy
LEARNER

Chemicals

Label Identity Hazard information

0.0200 mol dm–3 0.0200 mol dm–3 aqueous potassium Currently not classified as
KMnO4(aq) manganate, KMnO4(aq). hazardous at this
concentration.
0.500 mol dm–3 0.500 mol dm–3 aqueous ethanedioic acid WARNING
H2C2O4(aq) (oxalic acid), H2C2O4(aq). Causes serious
eye irritation

Water Distilled or de-ionised water. No hazard

Equipment
In this experiment you will select the appropriate apparatus for the procedures. Your teacher will inform you of
the apparatus available. You should record the apparatus that you select.

Health and Safety

 Wear eye protection throughout.

Procedure
Before starting your practical work, read the information below.
Decide how you will organise your practical work, and which observations you need to make and/or which
measurements you need to take. Ensure that you record all of your results in a suitable format.

Important Notes:
 The following procedure should be carried out at five different temperatures. The temperatures should
be monitored carefully and if the temperature increases or decreases during the reaction then the
average of the starting temperature and the final temperature should be taken as the reaction
temperature. 

 In order to achieve thermal equilibrium, the conical flask and test tube should be placed in the water bath
for at least five minutes before mixing. 


Suggested Temperatures: 

 Choose five temperatures from 0 °C to 50 °C and set up appropriate water baths. Run the first experiment
at room temperature to get used to the procedure and colour change.
 To make water baths at temperatures below room temperature, you will have to mix ice and water in an
appropriate container.
 Above room temperature you can use a water bath, or if unavailable you will need to heat water and then
transfer to an appropriate container.
 Alternatively, select your own method for obtaining the correct temperatures.

1. Add 20 cm3 of 0.500 mol dm–3 H2C2O4(aq) to a conical flask and 10 cm3 of 0.0200 mol dm–3 KMnO4(aq) to a
test tube. 

2. Place both containers in your water bath for about five minutes. A test tube holder may be useful to
prevent the test tube falling over. While you are waiting, prepare the solutions for the second run of this
experiment at this temperature. 


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 Practical Endorsement GCE Chemistry
PAG10 Rate of reaction – initial rate method
10.3 Rates – Activation energy
LEARNER

3. If you are doing the reaction at around 0 °C then a single experiment is enough as the reaction can take up
to 30 min.
4. Mix the reactants and record the time it takes for the solution to go yellow/brown. Don't forget to swirl
the contents regularly. 

5. Repeat the procedure with another sample at this temperature. 

6. Repeat this procedure for the other suggested temperatures. 


Processing data
1. Set up a spreadsheet with columns to record for each experiment:
 temperature (T)
 1/T
 reaction time for first and second run
 mean reaction time
 initial rate, using the formula: rate = [KMnO4(aq)]/t
 k, using the formula: rate = k[KMnO4(aq)][H2C2O4(aq)]
 ln k
2. Enter the data you recorded in the experiments.
3. Use the spreadsheet program to plot your data points of ln k against 1/T

Analysis of results
1. Draw a line of best fit for the graph. Determine the gradient of the line.
2. Use the gradient to calculate the value for Ea (activation energy) for this reaction. Refer to the
introduction at the start of this activity to help you with the calculation.

Extension Opportunities
1. Use your results and the value for Ea that you have calculated to determine the value of the pre-exponential
factor (collision frequency), A.

Records
As evidence for the Practical Endorsement, you should have recorded evidence of all your measurements and any
relevant observations in a suitable format. You should also include a record of the equipment that you used, and
any adaptations you made to your method while you completed the activity. You should save your spreadsheet
with processed data, which will provide a record of the volumes of solutions you used for each experiment. If you
keep hardcopy records, you may want to include a printout of your spreadsheet data there too. All work should
be clearly dated.

In addition, in preparation for the assessment of practical work in the written examinations and to help you
develop your understanding of the underlying chemical theory, you should complete the questions in the Analysis
and Extension Opportunities sections. For calculations, you should show full workings and give final answers to
the appropriate number of significant figures.

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