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Chemistry Lab 16 PDF
Chemistry Lab 16 PDF
To study the effect of temperature on the rate of sulphur formation in the reaction between
sodium thiosulphate solution, Na2S2O3 and hydrochloric acid, HCl.
Introductio
Na2S2O3 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 Na2S2O3 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 Na2S2O3 and HCl will produce sulphur which is a
yellow precipitate:
Na2S2O3 (aq) + 2 HCl (aq) → S (s) + 2 NaCl (aq) + SO2 (g) + H2O (l)
Hypothesis
According to the Collision Theory[1], In order to react, the two particles involved must:
· 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
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
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 (5cm3) of Na2S2O3
used; concentration (2.00 mol dm-3) and volume (5cm³) of HCl used;
method of swirling.
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 Na2S2O3 solution; 2.00 mol dm-3 HCl; distilled water.
The suitable concentration and volume of Na2S2O3 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. 5cm3 of Na2S2O3 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:
Na2S2O3 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. Na2S2O3 solution of 2.00 x 10-1 mol dm-3 concentration is prepared by weighing
7.905g of solid Na2S2O3.
2. It is then transferred to a 250cm3 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 Na2S2O3 solution is transferred from the volumetric
flask with a 25cm³ pipette into a clean 100cm3 conical flask. Another two 100cm3
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.
7. The conical flask with the mixture of Na2S2O3 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.
11. Some of the Na2S2O3 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 Na2S2O3 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 Na2S2O3 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
(±0.01 s) (s-1)
Sample Calculation:
Temperature: 25 °C
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.
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 Na2S2O3 solution and HCl.
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 Na2S2O3 The inaccurate volumes Use an equipment with less
solution and HCl used might impacted the rate of reaction. uncertainty and make sure
not have been accurate when that all the solution is washed
away in the beaker from the
poured into the beaker.
test tube.
The concentrations of the Impacted the rate of reaction. Make sure the beaker is dry
solutions were not prepared before pouring in the
correctly. 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.