RQ: How does the bond energy of different acids affect their rates of

reaction when reacted with magnesium?

Equipment:

- Conical flask (100 cm3)

- Single-holed rubber bung
- Delivery tube
- Trough or plastic tray
- 2 Measuring cylinders (100 cm3)
- 1 Clamp stand
- Stopwatch
- 25 pieces of magnesium ribbon (3 cm each)
- 1M hydrochloric acid (250 cm3)
- 1M sulphuric acid (250 cm3)
- 1M citric acid (250 cm3)
- 1M nitric acid (250 cm3)
- 1M acetic acid (250 cm3)

Procedure:

1. Using a measuring cylinder, measure 50 cm3 of one of the acids and pour it into
the conical flask.
2. Take another measuring cylinder and add 50 cm 3 of water to it.
3. Next, fill up the trough or plastic tray with about 500 cm 3 of water.
4. Then, turn the measuring cylinder upside down into the water filled tray, ensuring
that the water does not spill out onto the tray.
5. Hold the cylinder in place using a clamp stand.
6. Take the rubber bung and pass the delivery tube through the hole.
7. Ensure that one end goes through the hole and the other end is placed on the
edge of upside down cylinder in the tray.
8. Then, take one piece of the magnesium ribbon and place it into the flask
containing the acid. The magnesium should visibly react with the HCL.
9. Quickly seal the flask with the rubber bung containing the delivery tube.
10. Record the volume of the gas that is given off in the measuring cylinder by
looking at the change in the water level, until there is no visual evidence of the
gas being given off.
11. Repeat steps 1-10 for all five acids and all trials.

Sources:
http://www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry/resource/res00001916/the-rate-of-reaction-of-magnesium-
with-hydrochloric-acid?cmpid=CMP00006119

https://chemdemos.uoregon.edu/demos/Magnesium-and-Hydrochloric-Acid

http://www.4college.co.uk/as/df/bond.php