Riti Bushan, DP 1, IB

Investigating the effect of change in concentration on the rate of reaction

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to see the change in the rate of reaction due to
high/low concentrations of sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid. My interest in performing
this lab grew after learning about the rate of reaction from my chemistry teacher. Out of
curiosity, I learned more about the increased use of fossil fuels, which causes high concentrations
of acid rain and thus faster erosion damage. This connection to the environment encouraged me
to test the rate of reaction in a lab situation.

Research Question:
How does the change in concentration of sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid affect the rate
of reaction?

Hypothesis:
The higher the concentration of sodium thiosulfate (0.10, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04, 0.02) (IV), the faster
the rate of reaction (DV) with all samples exposed at room temperature (22 degrees celsius). As
the solution gets more diluted with water, the rate of reaction will increase and it will take a
longer time to reach equilibrium.

Background information:
The reaction between sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid provides an easy way to study the
effect of reactant concentration on reaction rate.

𝑁𝑎2𝑆2𝑂3(𝑎𝑞) + 2𝐻𝐶𝑙(𝑎𝑞) → 2𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙(𝑎𝑞) + 𝐻2𝑂(𝑙) + 𝑆𝑂2(𝑔) + 𝑆(𝑠)

The reaction between sodium thiosulfate and dilute acid produces sulfur dioxide, sulfur, and
water. Sulfur dioxide is a soluble gas that entirely dissolves in aqueous solution. The generated
sulfur is insoluble and appears as a white or light yellow precipitate or a colloid that gives the
solution a milky look and renders it opaque. Consequently, the pace of the reaction may be
determined by observing the opacity of the reaction. This is simply accomplished by measuring
the time (t) required to create a certain quantity of sulfur.

There are different factors that affect the rate of reaction:

1. The nature of the reactants

2. Temperature
3. The concentration of the reactants
4. Catalysis
 Riti Bushan, DP 1, IB

In this experiment, the reaction is conducted by combining the reactants in a conical flask and
laying it over a piece of white paper with a cross on it. The mark is plainly visible from the top of
the conical flask through the solution before the reaction begins. However, as the reaction
continues, sulfur precipitates, making the solution more opaque, and the mark is finally totally
concealed. The time (t) required for the mark to completely fade reveals the rate of the reaction.

Table 1: Variable table (independent, dependent, and controlled)

Type of Variable What is it? Values? How would you change, measure, or control it?

Independent The different Using different volumes of water and Sulphur

concentrations of sodium thiosulfate
thiosulfate (0.02, 0.04,
0.06, 0.08, 0.10) and the
diluted hydrochloric acid.
(mol/dm3)
Dependent The rate of reaction You would measure how long it would take for the
−1 solution of hydrochloric acid and sodium thiosulfate to
(𝑠 )
turn into a cloudy solution using a stopwatch

Controlled The temperature of the lab It was controlled by measuring the room temperature
(22 degrees) with a thermometer
The concentration of The concentration of the reactants depends on how
Hydrochloric acid much water is diluted with the sodium thiosulfate.

Table 2: Safety Precautions

Possible dangers
Breaking of glassware (ie.
beaker and petri dish)
Hydrochloric acid and
Safety precautions:
To protect yourself from injury (such as possible cuts and
bleeding), always maintain focus and use caution while working
with glass items. This can be done by placing glasses in the
middle of the table.
Casutracious to the eyes and skin, it can be harmful when
Riti Bushan, DP 1, IB

Sodium thiosulphate ingested or inhaled. To be safe, wear safety goggles.

The interaction between these two solutions produces sulfur

dioxide gas, which can be irritating to the eyes and skin.

Dispose chemicals effectively Chemicals must be disposed of correctly to ensure no

after experiment corrosive damage to the environment has been done.

Table 2: Materials Required

Materials Measurements (𝑐𝑚 )
3

Conical flask 250

Measuring cylinder 50-100

Measuring cylinder *2 10

Sodium thiosulfate solution (𝑁𝑎2𝑆2𝑂3) 25

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) 150

Distilled water 100

Stopwatch 1

Permanent marker 1

Paper 1

Procedure:
1. Start by using a marker to trace around the beaker by marking an “X” in the centre.
2. Using separate graduated cylinders for the solution and water, using the table blow
measure the required amount of 0.100 mol/dm-3 of Sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) and
pour it into the conical flask
The following concentrations were calculated by using the formula 𝑀1𝑉1 = 𝑀2𝑉2

Sample Calculation
𝑀1𝑉1 = 𝑀2𝑉2
3 3
0. 1 × 50𝑐𝑚 = 𝑀2 × 50𝑐𝑚
3
0.1×50𝑐𝑚
3 = 𝑀2
50𝑐𝑚
 Riti Bushan, DP 1, IB

0. 1 = 𝑀2

Concentration 1.0 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02

0.100 Mol of 50.0 40.0 30.0 20.0 10.0

Na2S2O3

Distilled water 0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0

(cm3)

3. Swirl the flask to mix the contents of solution and water.

4. Then, carefully add 10 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm-3 HCl in one pour to the Sodium thiosulfate
solution.
5. Immediately start the stopwatch, and swirl the flask with 30 second intervals.
6. Stop timing once you see the colourless solution turn into a cloudy solution where you
cant see the “X” disappear.
7. Make sure to record the data in your data tables.
8. Wash out the flask thoroughly to make sure there is no residue left in the flask.
9. Repeat the experiment using the other volumes of sodium thiosulfate and water in the
table below. Keep the volume and the concentration of acid the same each time.

Data table 1: Raw data results

Concentration Trial 1 (seconds) Trial 2 (seconds) Trial 3 (seconds)

0.02 468 422 395

0.04 160 185 176

0.06 97 93 100

0.08 84 70 73

0.10 74 66 59

Processed data table: Average

Sample calculations
468+422+395
3
= 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒

To find the average simply add all the numbers together and divide it by the number of numbers
Riti Bushan, DP 1, IB

Concentration Average time taken (seconds)

0.02 428.33

0.04 173.66

0.06 96.66

0.08 75.66

0.10 66.33

Processed data table: Rate of reactions

Sample calculations
1
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
1
𝑅𝑜𝑟 = 428.33
= 0.0023

Concentration −1
Rate of reaction (𝑠 )

0.02 0.0023

0.04 0.0057

0.06 0.0103

0.08 0.0132

0.10 0.0150

Graph 1: Effect on concentration for average

Riti Bushan, DP 1, IB

Graph 2: Average time taken for solution to turn opaque

Riti Bushan, DP 1, IB

Graph 3: Reaction Rate

Data analysis:
Riti Bushan, DP 1, IB

As concentration rises, the time required for the solution to become opaque decreases, as seen by
the graph. Consequently, the response rate increases as concentration increases. Water is used
universally as a solvent. As the quantity of sodium thiosulfate decreases, so does the amount of
time required. The graph shows a linear progression, with the slowest rate of reaction being
−1 −1
0.0023 𝑠 for the lowest concentration and the fastest rate of reaction being 0.0150 𝑠 for the
highest concentration. It takes more time for the cross to vanish; this is an inverse connection.
When equilibrium was reached, the solutions turned yellow, and as the concentration went up,
the turbidity went up. At the point of equilibrium, SO2 gas and water were discharged. The more
concentrated solution contains more molecules, which will result in more collisions. Therefore,
the rate of reaction should be proportional to the frequency of molecule collisions; as more
molecules collide, the rate of reaction increases and more products are produced in a shorter
amount of time. All are linked to the collision theory. When values do not correspond to the rest
of the data, it is called an anomaly. One factor that influences a sped up reaction is the
temperature of the water. If the water is relatively warmer than room temperature or even hot, it
will speed up the reaction regardless of the concentrations. This was one of the limiting factors.
Another limiting factor could be the contamination of the conical flask. Between each trial, it is
important to wash each flask thoroughly to ensure there is no residue from the previous trial or
concentration. In this scenario, it was a brief rinse in water that was dried out using a paper
towel. In some cases, there could be some remnant of what could further dilute a concentration,
lowering the rate of reaction.

Conclusion and evaluation:

Our procedure was rather precise, and although our findings were not perfect, they were
sufficient for us to determine the outcome of the experiment. This lab allowed us to see the effect
of different concentrations of sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid on the rates of reactions.
Overall, the data backed up the hypothesis, and I was able to use the data to make graphs. In our
experiment, we maintained a consistent concentration of HCL, and it was essential to maintain
the volume of the solution for more precise findings. Under our circumstances, the results were
mostly trustworthy. As a result of improper measurement, filthy equipment, and timing, they
may be slightly wrong.