AP Chemistry Investigation

Rate of Reaction of Sodium Thiosulfate and Hydrochloric Acid

Introduction
The purpose of this activity is to investigate the effect of sodium thiosulfate concentration on the rate of
reaction of sodium thiosulfate with hydrochloric acid. The reaction, which produces solid sulfur, will be
followed by measuring the time needed for the reaction mixture to become opaque. The results will be
analyzed graphically to determine the order of reaction ~ the mathematical relationship between the
reactant concentration and the rate.
Materials
• Hydrochloric Acid solution, HCl (25mL ~ 2M) • 5 ~ 100mL beakers
• 5 ~ 10mL graduated cylinders • Stirring rods
• 1 ~ 100mL graduated cylinders • stopwatch
• Sodium Thiosulfate solution, Na2S2O3, 150mL ~ 0.15M • Distilled water
• Sharpie marker & white paper

Safety
Hydrochloric acid solution is corrosive to eyes and skin. It is moderately toxic by ingestion and inhalation.
Sodium thiosulfate solution is a body tissue irritant. The reaction of sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric
acid generates sulfur dioxide gas, which is a skin and eye irritant. Perform this demonstration in a well-
ventilated lab only. Avoid contact of all chemicals with eyes and skin. Wear chemical splash goggles.
Procedure
1. Label five 100-mL beakers 1–5 and clean the bottom of each beaker.
2. Draw a large “X” on a piece of paper to place under each beaker.
3. Using separate graduated cylinders for the solution and water, measure and add the required amounts of
0.15 M sodium thiosulfate and distilled water to each beaker. Be as precise as possible.

Beaker 1 2 3 4 5
0.15 M 50.0 mL 40.0 mL 30.0 mL 20.0 mL 10.0 mL
Na2S2O3
Distilled 0 mL 10.0 mL 20.0 mL 30.0 mL 40.0 mL
Water
4. Have students calculate the final concentration of sodium thiosulfate in each beaker 1–5.
5. Record the following information in a student created data table:
• Beaker, volume of Na2S2O3 solution
• volume of distilled water
• concentration of Na2S2O3
• reaction time (sec)
• 1/reaction time (reaction rate)
6. Measure 5.0 mL of 2 M hydrochloric acid into each of five 10-mL graduated cylinders.
7. Starting with beaker #1, carefully add the HCl all in one pour to the sodium thiosulfate solution. Stir the
solution once with a stirring rod and immediately start timing.
8. Stop timing when the black “X” is no longer visible. Record the reaction time in seconds in your data table.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 with beakers 2–5.
10. Calculate 1/reaction time for each trial.
11. Plot concentration vs. time and concentration vs. 1/time on separate graphs.

AP Chemistry Investigation ~ Rate of Reaction of Sodium Thiosulfate and Hydrochloric Acid 1

 Disposal
All laboratory wastes should be placed in the “waste flask” labeled on teacher lab desk.

Post lab Questions

Collision theory offers a simple explanation for how reactions occur—reacting molecules must first collide. In
order for colliding molecules to be converted into products, they must collide with enough energy and with a
suitable orientation to break existing bonds in the reactants and form new bonds in the products. Any factor that
changes either the total number of collisions or the average energy of the colliding molecules should affect the
reaction rate.

l. Using collision theory, predict how increasing the temperature should affect the rate of a chemical reaction. State
the prediction in the form of a hypothesis and explain your reasoning.

2. Using collision theory, predict how increasing the concentration of a reactant should affect the rate of a
chemical reaction. State the prediction in the form of a hypothesis and explain your reasoning.

3. Two general methods may be used to determine the rate law for a reaction. The graphical method used in this
lab is an integrated rate law experiment it shows how the concentration of a reactant or product depends on
time. An alternative method for determining the rate law relies on measuring the initial rate of a reaction for
different initial concentrations of reactants. This alternative method may be called a differential rate law
experiment.
Consider a classic iodine clock reaction between iodide ions and persulfate ions
21-(aq) + S2082-(aq) → I2(aq) + 2S042-(aq)
The following rate data was collected for different initial concentrations of iodide and persulfate ions.

Trial [S2082-] Initial rate (mole/L•sec)

1 0.040 M 0.040 M 7.4 x 10-6
2 0.080 M 0.040 M 1.5 x 10-5
3 0.040 M 0.080 M 1.4 x 10-5

4. Compare trials 1 and 2: How did the concentration of iodide ions change in these two trials, and how did the
rate change accordingly? What is the reaction order for iodide ions?

5. Which two trials should be compared to determine the order of reaction with respect to persulfate ions? What is
the reaction order for persulfate?

6. Write the combined rate law for this version of an iodine clock reaction.

7. Calculate the value of the rate constant for the reaction.

8. State the overall rate order for the reaction.

9. Could the rate law have been predicted using the coefficients in the balanced chemical equation? Explain.

AP Chemistry Investigation ~ Rate of Reaction of Sodium Thiosulfate and Hydrochloric Acid 2