P&D

Rates of reaction
Problem Statement:
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decomposes on exposure to light. The catalyst also decomposes
hydrogen peroxide. One such catalyst is copper (II) sulphate. Two chemistry students enter into
an argument about whether Cu2+ or SO42- ions are responsible for the catalytic decomposition of
hydrogen peroxide. Aaron argues that Cu2+ ions catalyze the decomposition but Peter’s
argument was SO42- ions are responsible for the decomposition.
Devise a hypothesis, plan and design an experiment to settle the argument.

Hypothesis: Cu2+ ions in the copper (II) sulphate (CuSO4) are responsible for the catalytic
decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
Aim: To determine if the Cu2+   ions in CuSO4 are responsible for the catalytic decomposition of
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
Apparatus/materials: 3 Erlenmeyer flask, Gas syringe, Copper Sulphate (CuSO 4), Sodium
hydroxide (NaSO4), Copper Carbonate (CuCO3), Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), measuring cylinder,
timer, dropper,
Procedure:
1:  Gather the apparatus and material for the experiment and label the flasks 1,2 ,3
respectively.
2: Place 25cm3 of H2O2 into flask 1 and add 25cm3 of NaSO4, attach the gas syringe, shake
vigorously.
       3: Start the timer, and observe the amount of gas collected.
4: Then in flask two (2) place 25cm3 H2O2 and 25cm3 CuSO4, attach gas syringe, shake the
solution, time and measure the amount of gas collected.
5: Finally in flask three (3) place 25cm3 H2O2 and add 25cm3 CuCO3 cover attach gas
syringe, shake the solution, set the timer and measure the amount of gas collected.
6: Compare the three (3) results.
Data to be collected:
TABLE SHOWING RESULTS FROM THE EXPERIMENT
Erlenmeyer flasks Volume of gas collected Time taken for all gas to
be collected

Flask 1 (Naso4 + H2O2)

Flask 2 (CuSO4 + H2O2)

Flask 3 (CuCO3 + H2O2)

Data Analysis:

Expected Results:
 It is expected that if flask three (3) has a higher volume of gas than flask one (1) the hypothesis
would have been proven to be true. This is due to the fact that, the Cu2+ ions that are present in
copper (II) sulphate (CuSO4) are also present in copper carbonate (CuCO3) thus it would bring
about the same type of catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. however, NaSO 4 contains
SO42- and these ions … not contain Cu2+ ions and therefore little to no catalytic decomposition is
expected to take place. It is also expected that CuSO4 and CuCO3 will produce the same or
almost the same volume of gas because of the same Cu2+ ions present and the same amount of
hydrogen peroxide.
Variables:
 Manipulating: Types of bases used/chosen and the volume of substances used.
 Controlled: Flask 2 with the CuSo4 and H2O2
 Responding: The volume of gas collected

Assumptions/precautions/limitation:

Assumptions:

Precaution: Ensure to read all measurements at eye level

Limitation:
 Titration
Problem statement:
Toilet bowl cleaner (most of them) contains hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) as a major active
ingredient. There are many brands of toilet bowl cleaners available in the market. Two such brands are
LASCO and AJAX. The LASCO brand claims that their brand is better because it contains more muriatic
acid than AJAX.
Devise a hypothesis, plan and design an experiment whether the claim is true or false.

Hypothesis: Ajax bowl cleaner has more muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) than the Lasco brand.
Aim: To determine if Ajax bowl cleaner has more muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) than the Lasco bowl
cleaner.
Apparatus/Materials: Burette, funnel, Retort stand and boss clamp, conical flask, pipette, beakers,
methyl orange, Ajax bowl cleaner, Lasco bowl cleaner, measuring cylinder, dropper, Ca(OH) 2,
Procedure:
1: Fill the burette with the Ajax bowl cleaner using a funnel.
2: pipette 30cm3 of Ca(OH)2 into a conical flask.
3: Add 3-5 drops of methyl-orange to the conical flask and shake.
4: Titrate the contents of the conical flask slowly until the first permanent colour change is
seen (shake conical flask continuously throughout).
5: Wash apparatus thoroughly.
6: Repeat steps 1-4 using Lasco bowl cleaner and record observations.

Data to be collected:
TABLE SHOWING BURETTE VOLUMES AND COLOUR INTENSITY OF
Initial Ajax Final Ajax burette Volume of Ajax Time taken to Final Color and
burette volume volume used achieve intensity
permanent colour
(s)
TABLE SHOWING THE DATA COLLECTED FOR LASCO BOWL CLEANER.
The Initial Lasco Final Lasco Volume of Lasco Time taken to Final Color and
burette volume burette volume used achieve intensity
permanent colour
(s)

Analysis of Data:

Expected results:
It is expected that if tested, Ajax bowl cleaner will have more HCl than Lasco. Ajax bowl cleaner is
expected to have more HCl because of the reputation of the product. Ajax has always been a good brand
and has served its people well over the years, it is properly advertised and It probably cost more than
the Lasco brand. which indicates that more ingredients are probably in the product, if there are more
ingredients there is a strong chance that Ajax will have more HCl. If there is more HCl in the product
then the test for ajax will have a more intense permanent colour than that of Lasco in the experiment
and therefore the hypothesis would have been proven to be true.

Variables:
 Manipulating: The base chosen (Ca(OH)2) and the volume of each reactants
 Controlled: The volume of Ca(OH)2
 Responding: The colour change and intensity

Assumptions/precautions/Limitations:

Assumptions:

Precaution: 1:Ensure to read all measurements at eye level

2: Ensure to wear protective gear such as gloves, lab coat and goggles to prevent spillages
of bowl cleaner.

Limitations:
 Heat of solution/ Energetics
Problem statement:
An argument developed between two chemistry students regarding the HEAT OF SOLUTION
of NaCl and Mgcl2. John argues that Mgcl2 has a higher heat of solution than NaCl, Marcus
disagrees.
Devise a hypothesis, plan and design an experiment to settle the argument.

Hypothesis: MgCl2 (magnesium chloride) has a higher heat of solution than NaCl (sodium chloride)
Aim: To determine if MgCl2 has a higher heat of solution than NaCl.
Apparatus/Materials: MgCl2, NaCl, water, thermometer, Styrofoam cups
Procedure:
Data to be collected:
Analysis of Data:
Expected results:
Variables:
 Manipulating:
 Controlled:
 Responding:

Assumptions/precautions/sources of error:

Assumptions:

Precaution:

Sources of Error: