IODINE CLOCK

REACTION
A reaction famous for its dramatic colorless-to-blue color change

Safiya and Parvathy

END OF YEAR SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT
-GRADE 09 PERSEVERANCE-
 WHAT IS THE EXPERIMENT ABOUT?

A chemistry experiment that demonstrates basic principles of kinetics in chemistry.

Some scientists call this reaction the “Egyptian Night” experiment. This is because
the darkness of night-time often arrives rather suddenly, similar to the rapid color
change in this reaction.

MATERIALS

1. SOLUTION #A
- 5g starch
- 100mL cold distilled
- 500mL beaker
- 400mL freshly boiled water
2. SOLUTION #B
- 1g sodium thiosulfate
- 5g potassium iodide
- 500mL beaker
- 500mL distilled water
3. Solution #C
- 400mL distilled water
- 100mL 15% hydrogen peroxide solution
- 5mL concentrated sulfuric acid
- 500mL Beaker
4. Either a water bottle, conical flask, or beaker.

SAFETY GUIDANCE

1. Wear pro­tec­tive glass­es and gloves.

2. Avoid the hy­dro­gen per­ox­ide and acids touch­ing the skin and get­ting in the
eyes or mouth.

1
PROCEDURE

Solution A :

1. Combine 5g start and 100mL cold distilled water in the 500mL beaker and stir
thoroughly.
2. Add 400mL boiled water and stir.

Solution B :

1. Combine 1g sodium thiosulfate and 5g potassium iodide in a 500 mL beaker.

2. Add 500mL distilled water and stir thoroughly

Solution C :

1. Combine 400mL distilled water, 100mL 15% hydrogen peroxide solution, and
5mL concentrated sulfuric acid in a 500mL beaker and stir thoroughly.

For the reaction (experiment process),

1. Combine 100mL of solution A and 50mL of solution B in either a plastic water bottle,
large beaker, or large conical flask and stir. The volume of solution C is variable -
adding more or less of solution C will affect the speed of the reaction.

Note:

★ Pouring solution C causes the reaction to occur.

★ Always label the beakers appropriately (Solution A, Solution B, Solution C)

2
REFERENCES

References

How to prepare the Iodine Clock Reaction. (2014, May 1). YouTube. Retrieved June 20,

2023, from https://youtu.be/QcYQ7iN7Pao

Iodine clock reaction. (2019, March 12). YouTube. Retrieved June 20, 2023, from

https://youtu.be/6v8YFq4_264

Iodine clock reaction. (2019, March 12). YouTube. Retrieved June 25, 2023, from

https://youtu.be/6v8YFq4_264

Iodine clock reaction - MEL Chemistry. (n.d.). MEL Science. Retrieved June 25, 2023, from

https://melscience.com/SG-en/articles/iodine-clock-reaction/