Rates of Reaction Experiments

Precipitation- observing the colour change

Equipment:

 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 g/dm³ sodium thiosulfate solution

 2.0M dilute hydrochloric acid
 10cm³ measuring cylinder
 100cm³ measuring cylinder
 100cm³ conical flask
 Printed black paper cross
 Stop clock

Method:

1. Use a measuring cylinder to put 8 g/dm³ sodium thiosulfate solution into a conical flask
2. Put 10cm³ of dilute hydrochloric acid into the 10cm³ measuring cylinder
3. Put this into the flask. At the same time swirl gently and start the stop clock
4. Look down through the top of the conical flask. Stop the clock when you can no longer see
that cross.
5. Repeat the experiment with different concentrations of sodium thiosulfate (16,24,32,40
g/dm³)
 Take care to avoid breathing in any sulphur dioxide fumes.

Measuring the volume of gas produced

Hydrochloric acid + Calcium carbonate Calcium chloride + water + carbon dioxide

2HCl (aq) + CaCO3 (s) CaCl2 (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g)
Equipment:

 100cm³ conical flask

 Gas syringe
 Bung with rubber tubing
 Clamp stand
 Marble chips (calcium carbonate)
 Hydrochloric acid
 100cm³ measuring cylinder
 Stop clock

Method:

1. Support a gas syringe with a stand, boss and clamp.

2. Using a measuring cylinder, add 50 cm³ of dilute hydrochloric acid to a conical flask.
3. Add a 3 cm piece of magnesium ribbon to the flask. Immediately connect the gas syringe and
start a stop clock.
4. Record the volume of gas produced every 10 seconds. Continue timing until no more gas is
given off.
5. When the reaction is complete, clean the apparatus as directed by your teacher.
6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 with different concentrations of hydrochloric acid.
Reversible Reaction
Anhydrous copper(II) sulfate + water ↔ hydrated copper(II) sulfate

CuSO4 (s) + 5H2O (l) ↔ CuSO4.5H20 (s)

Equipment:

 Bunsen burner
 Tripode
 Guaze mat
 Test tube
 Test tube holder
 Hydrated copper(II) sulfate

Method:

1. Put a spatular of hydrated copper(II) sulfate into a test tube

2. Turn on the Bunsen burner so that the air hole is half covered, and there is a blue flame
3. Then using a test tube holder wave the test tube above the flame until a white powder is
visible
4. Once the white powder is visible turn off the bunsen burner and add water to the
anhyddrous copper(II) sulfate, till it turns back to the original hydrated copper(II) sulfate

Another Reversible Reaction

Ammonium chloride ↔ ammonia + hydrogen chloride

NH4Cl (s) ↔ NH3 (g) + HCl (g)

Equipment:

 Bunsen burner
 Tripode
 Guaze mat
 Test tube
 Test tube holder
 Ammonium chloride

Method:

1. Put a spatular of ammonium chloride into a test tube

2. Turn on the Bunsen burner so that the air hole is half covered, and there is a blue flame
3. Then using a test tube holder wave the test tube above the flame until a white powder is
visible towards the top of the test tube
4. Once the white powder is visible turn off the bunsen burner, and observe the reformation of
ammonium chloride.