Name:____________________

Experiment
Effect of Concentration on Speed of Reaction
Aim:
To investigate the effect of concentration on the speed of a reaction

Note:
In this experiment, you are going to investigate how the speed of a reaction is affected by the
concentration of the reactant. The reaction between aqueous sodium thiosulphate and dilute
hydrochloric acid produces a fine precipitate of sulphur which can be used to assess the
reaction speed.
The equation for the reaction is :
Na2S2O3(aq) + 2HCl(aq) 2NaCl(aq) + SO2(g) + H2O(l) + S(s)

Apparatus and materials:

 250 cm3 conical flask
 50 cm3 measuring cylinder
 10 cm3 measuring cylinder
 Stopwatch
 Dropper
 Hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution
 Sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3) solution
 Distilled water
 Printed paper
Procedure :
Experiment 1
1. Use the large measuring cylinder to pour 50 cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulphate into a
conical flask.
2. Place the conical flask on printed paper provided
3. Fill the small measuring cylinder with 10 cm3 of the hydrochloric acid
4. Add the acid to the solution in the conical flask and immediately start your timer.
5. View the conical flask from above and measure the time taken for the printed test to
dissapear from view. Record the time in the table
6. Pour the solution away and rinse the conical flask with distilled water
Experiment 2
1. Use the large measuring cylinder to pour 40 cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulfate into the
conical flask, followed by 10 cm3 of distilled water.
2. Place the conical flask on the printed insert.
3. Fill the small measuring cylinder with 10 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid.
4. Add the dilute hydrochloric acid to the solution in the conical flask. Start the timer
immediately.
5. View the conical flask from above and measure the time taken for the printed test to
dissapear from view. Record the time in the table.
6. Pour the solution away and rinse the conical flask with distilled water
Experiment 3
Repeat experiment 2 but use 35 cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulfate, 15 cm3 of distilled
water and 10 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid.
Experiment 4
Repeat experiment 2 but use 30 cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulfate, 20 cm3 of distilled
water and 10 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid.
Experiment 5
Repeat experiment 2 but use 10 cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulfate, 40 cm3 of distilled
water and 10 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid.
 Results:
Complete the table [3]
Volume of Na2S2O3 Volume of water Volume of Time Taken for the printed words
Experiment 3 3
(aq) / cm added / cm HCl(aq) / cm3 to disappear from view / s

1
2
3
4
5

Questions:
1. Plot the results from Experiments 1-5 on the grid. Draw a smooth line graph. [4]
2. Describe the appearance of the mixture in the conical flask at the end of each
experiment.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..[1]
3. From your graph:
a. Deduce the time for the printed text to dissapear if Experiment 2 was repeated using
20 cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulphate and 30 cm3 of distilled water. Show clearly
on the grid how you worked out your answer.
………………………………s [2]
b. Sketch on the grid the curve you would expect if the experiments were repeated at
a lower temperature. Label this curve [1]
c. The rate of reaction can be calculated using the equation shown.

Calculate the rate of reaction using your answer from 3(a).

………………………………………………………………………………………………[1]
4. In which experiment was the rate of reaction greatest?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..[1]
5. Explain, in terms of particles, why the rate of reaction was greatest in the experiment
mentioned in No. 4
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………...
……………………………………………………………………………………………………[2]
6. A student carried out a sixth experiment using 60 cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulphate.
Why would this not be an appropriate volume to use in this series of experiments?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………[1]
7. Suggest the effect on the results of using a 100 cm3 cpnical flask instead of a 250 cm3
conical flask. Explain your answer.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………[2]

Total marks: [18] + extra 2 marks for cleanliness.