Internal Assessment 11: Investigating the Relationshipbetween

Temperature and the Rate ofp mReaction.

Aim

To study the effect of temperature on the rate of sulphur formation in the reaction between
sodium thiosulphate solution, Na​2​S​2​O​3​ and hydrochloric acid, HCl.

Introductio

Na​2​S​2​O​3​ solution and HCl are both colourless in their aqueous state. When both are added
together, a reaction will take place where yellow precipitate will form due to the formation of
sulphur, S.

The reaction can be observed easily due to the formation of S and at room temperature, 25°C it is
known that the reaction takes place slowly and can be observed easily with naked eyes. Thus, it
is suitable to determine how temperature will affect the rate of reaction between Na​2​S​2​O​3​ and
HCl.

The end point of the reaction will be when the sulphur produced is concentrated enough to block
the sight of the ‘X’ mark when view from above the conical flask. The rate of reaction will be the
reciprocal of the time taken to reach the end point.

The chemical reaction that takes place between Na​2​S​2​O​3​ and HCl will produce sulphur which is a
yellow precipitate:

Na​2​S​2​O​3​ (aq) + 2 HCl (aq) → S (s) + 2 NaCl (aq) + SO​2​ (g) + H​2​O (l)

Hypothesis

According to the Collision Theory[1], In order to react, the two particles involved must:

·​ Collide with each other;

​

·​ The collision must be energetic enough to overcome the activation energy of the reaction;
​

·​ The collision must occur with the correct geometrical alignment, i.e. it must bring the
​

reactive parts of the molecule into contact in the correct way.

The rate of effective collision can be affected by the concentration of the reactants and
temperature. The effects of temperature on the rate of reaction between Na​2​S​2​O​3​ and ​HCl will be
studied in this design experiment.

It is hypothesised that when the temperature increases, the reactants gain more kinetic energy
allowing more reactants to achieve the activation energy. The rate of effective collision increases
thus increasing the rate of reaction.

Variables

Manipulated Variable : The temperature of the Sodium Thiosulphate, Na​2​S​2​O​3​ solution

Responding Variable : Time taken for the “X” mark to disappear from sight.

Fixed Variables : Concentration (2.00 x 10​-1​ mol dm​-3​) and volume (5cm​3​) of Na​2​S​2​O​3
used; concentration (2.00 mol dm​-3​) and volume (5cm³) of HCl used;
method of swirling.

Apparatus & Materials

Water bath; electronic thermometer; conical flasks 100.00 cm³; pipette (25.00 ± 0.03) cm³;
pipette filler; micropipette (± 0.006) cm³; beaker 100cm³; volumetric flasks(250.00 ± 0.2) cm³;
electronic balance (± 0.001)g; spatula; filter funnel; digital stopwatch; white tile; marker pen;
wash bottle; 2.00 x 10​-1​ mol dm​-3​ Na​2​S​2​O​3​ solution; 2.00 mol dm​-3​ HCl; distilled water.

Pre-experiment Preparation / Method Designing

The suitable concentration and volume of Na​2​S​2​O​3​ solution and HCl are determined through a
few trials. This is to ensure the reaction takes place at a reasonable rate in order to aid the
determination of the end point where the “X” mark disappears from sight. 5cm​3 ​of Na​2​S​2​O​3 of
​
2.00 x 10​-1​ mol dm​-3​ concentration and 5cm³ of HCl of 2.00 mol dm​-3​ concentration will be used
for this experiment.

Control of Variables

Manipulated variable:

Na​2​S​2​O​3​ solutions will be placed under different conditions. One of batch will be placed under
the room temperature, 25°C while two other will be placed in water baths set to the temperatures
of 35°C and 44°C. Another batch will be placed in the fridge with the temperature of 4°C.
Responding Variable:

The digital stopwatch will be stopped as soon as the “X” mark disappears from sight. The entire
swirling process and determination of the end point will be conducted by the same person in
order to minimise the error. Another person will be responsible for taking the time.

Procedures

1.​ ​Na​2​S​2​O​3​ solution of 2.00 x 10​-1​ mol dm​-3​ concentration is prepared by weighing
7.905g of solid Na​2​S​2​O​3​.

2.​ ​It is then transferred to a 250cm​3​ volumetric flask and washed down with a wash
bottle. The volumetric flask is then filled with distilled water until it reaches the
meniscus marking. The flask is covered with a stopper and mix well in order to ensure
a homogeneous solution is formed.

3.​ ​5cm³ of 2.00 x 10​-1​ mol dm​-3​ Na​2​S​2​O​3​ solution is transferred from the volumetric
flask with a 25cm³ pipette into a clean 100cm​3​ conical flask. Another two 100cm​3
conical flasks is filled with 5cm³ of the solution each.

4.​ ​The temperature of the solution is taken with the electronic thermometer and
recorded.

5.​ A
​ conical flask is placed on top of a white tile with a “X” mark on it.

6.​ ​5 cm³ of pre-prepared 2.00 mol dm​-3​ HCl​ is

​ measured with a micropipette. The acid is
then transferred to the conical flask.

7.​ ​The conical flask with the mixture of Na​2​S​2​O​3​ solution and HCl​ ​is swirl gently and
the digital stopwatch is started simultaneously.

8.​ ​The “X” mark is viewed from above the conical flask. The stopwatch is stopped as
soon as the cross disappears from sight. The time taken is recorded.

9.​ ​Steps 5 to 8 are repeated with the two remaining conical flasks. Observations are
recorded.

10.​ ​The water bath is switched on to temperatures of 35°C and 44°C.

11.​ ​Some of the Na​2​S​2​O​3​ solution is transferred to three beakers. One beaker is placed in
the 35°C water bath, another in the 44°C water bath and the third one in the fridge. All
beakers are covered with aluminium foils.
 12.​ ​Steps 3 to 9 are repeated with the 2.00 x 10​-1​ mol dm​-3​ Na​2​S​2​O​3​ solutions being
transferred from the respective beakers at temperatures of 35°C, 45°C and 4°C.

13.​ ​All observations are recorded and tabulated. A graph of rate of reaction against
temperature is then plotted.

Data Collection

Qualitative Data

In the experiment, we were required to draw an “x” on a piece of paper and keep a beaker on top
such as the “x” is visible. Then both Na​2​S​2​O​3​ solution and HCL were mixed together in a
beaker. When swirled, the formation of a yellow precipitate can be observed due to the formation
of sulphur, S which resulted in the disappearance of “x” from sight. From the experiment, we can
conclude that as the temperature increases the time taken for the “X” mark to disappear from
sight decreases. This happened because of the “collision theory” which states that as the
temperature increases, the reactants gain more kinetic energy allowing more reactants to achieve
the activation energy. When the rate of effective collision increases, then the rate of the reaction
also increases.

Quantitative Data

Temperature Time Taken Average Rate of Rate

Time Reaction, Uncertainty
(°C) (sec) Taken, T​AVE 1
T AV E M ax R − M in R
(±0.01°C) (±0.01 s) (s) 2
(s​-1​)

(±0.01 s) (s​-1​)

T​1 T​2 T​3

4.00 34.01 36.88 38.63 36.51 0.027 0.027 ± 0.0015

25.00 28.27 27.46 27.50 27.74 0.036 0.036 ± 0.0005

35.00 24.01 22.62 22.11 22.91 0.044 0.044 ± 0.0015

44.00 14.43 16.95 13.28 14.89 0.067 0.067 ± 0.003

Table 1.1: Table shows the time taken for the “X” mark to disappear from sight at different
temperatures.

Sample Calculation:

Temperature: ​25 °C

Average temperature: 28.27 + 27.46

3
+ 27.50
= ​27.74

Rate of Reaction:​ 1
27.74 = 0.036

1
28.27 = 0.035

1
27.46 = 0.036

1
27.50 = 0.036

M ax − M in
Uncertainty:​ 2

0.036 − 0.035
2 =​ ± 0.0005

Qualitative data:
Figure 1.1: Graph of rate of reaction against temperature.

Conclusion and Evaluation

According to the graph, the rate of reaction for the freezing temperature- 4 °C was observed to be
slower while the rate of reaction in the water bath at 44 °C was the fastest which shows a clear
relationship between the rise of heat and the rate of reaction. When the rate of reaction is plotted
against temperature plotted, the graph extrapolated and formed an exponential relationship but it
does not intersect at the origin. This may be due to some random errors that occurred during the
preparation of Na​2​S​2​O​3​ solution and HCl.

Error Impact Improvement

The sodium thiosulfate was The solution might have Cover the test tube either with
exposed to the surrounding reacted with the atmospheric a silver foil paper or with a
before poured into the beaker. oxygen which already formed cloth to prevent any contact
sulphur in the test tube. of oxygen with the solution.

The volume of Na​2​S​2​O​3
solution and HCl used might
not have been accurate when
poured into the beaker.
The inaccurate volumes
impacted the rate of reaction.
Use an equipment with less
uncertainty and make sure
that all the solution is washed
away in the beaker from the
test tube.

The concentrations of the
solutions were not prepared
correctly.
Impacted the rate of reaction.
Make sure the beaker is dry
before pouring in the
solutions and measure the
amount of water used in more
accurate equipment.

Loss of heat to the The beaker was kept open all Cover the beaker with a lid to
surroundings the time which led to some retain the energy inside the
heat loss from the solutions solution rather than letting it
to the environment escape to the surroundings

Extension:

To avoid any errors in the future experiments, take care of some factors that can make the
experiment easier and will give accurate results. First, make sure the surrounding is completely
insulated so that the temperature of the solution remains unchanged and does not impact the rate
of reaction. Use an appropriate thermometer to check the temperature with less uncertainty.

Secondly, make sure to follow all the safety procedures such as wear eye - goggles, lab coat and
gloves. Hold the glass equipment carefully to minimize the risk of any accidents or injury.