Core practical 7.

1
Investigate the effects of changing the conditions of a reaction on the rates of chemical
reactions by:
a) measuring the production of a gas (in the reaction between hydrochloric acid and marble
chips)
b) observing a colour change (in the reaction between sodium thiosulfate and hydrochloric
acid)

A) Measure the production of a gas

It is important in this core practical to use appropriate apparatus to make and record a range
of measurements accurately, including mass, time, temperature and volume. This includes the
safe use of apparatus, and monitoring chemical changes.
This outlines one way to carry out the practical. Eye protection must be worn.
Aims
To investigate the effect of changing the concentration on the rate of a reaction.
Calcium carbonate reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid:
CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
The volume of carbon dioxide gas produced can be measured using a gas syringe.

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 0.4 g of calcium carbonate to the flask. Immediately connect the gas
syringe and start a stop clock.
4. Every 10 seconds, record the volume of gas produced.
5. When the reaction is complete, clean the apparatus as directed by a teacher.
6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 with different concentrations of hydrochloric acid.

Results
Record the results in a table.
Time (s)Volume (cm3)
0 0
10 /p
20 /p
Analysis
1. For each concentration of hydrochloric acid, plot a graph to show:

 volume of gas (cm3) on the vertical axis

 time (s) on the horizontal axis
 draw a curve of best fit

2. For each concentration of acid, calculate the mean rate of reaction until the reaction stops:
 3. Describe the effect of increasing the concentration of acid on the mean rate of reaction.
Use your graphs and calculations in step 2 to help you.

Hazards, risks and precautions

Hazard Possible harm Possible precaution
Causes skin and eye
Hydrochloric acid  Wear eye protection
irritation
Acidic spray or foam  Use a large conical flask so there is plenty of
Fizzing in the reaction
escaping, which may space inside; do not look over the top when
mixture
damage skin and eyes adding the calcium carbonate

Required practical - investigate the rate of reaction by colour change

It is important in this core practical to use appropriate apparatus to
make and record a range of measurements accurately, including time,
temperature and volume. This includes the safe use of apparatus, and
monitoring chemical changes.
This outlines one way to carry out the practical. Eye protection must be
worn.
Aims
To investigate the effect of changing the temperature on the rate of a
reaction.
Sodium thiosulfate solution reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid:
Na2S2O3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + SO2(g) + S(s)
The sulfur forms a cloudy yellow-white precipitate during the reaction.
The time taken for this to achieve a given cloudiness provides a way to
measure the reaction time.

Method

1. Using a measuring cylinder, add 50 cm3 of dilute sodium thiosulfate solution to a conical
flask.
2. Place the conical flask on a piece of paper with a black cross drawn on it.
3. Using a different measuring cylinder, add 10 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid to the conical
flask. Immediately swirl the flask to mix its contents, and start a stop clock.
4. Look down through the reaction mixture. When the cross can no longer be seen, record the
time on the stop clock.
5. Measure and record the temperature of the reaction mixture, and clean the apparatus as
directed by a teacher.
6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 with different starting temperatures of sodium thiosulfate solution.

Results
Record the results in a table. This table gives some example results.
Temperature of reaction
Reaction time (s) Reaction rate 1000/s
mixture (°C)
18 80 12.5
29 57 17.5
42 32 31.3
49 20 50.0
 Analysis
1. Calculate 1000/time for each temperature. This value is
proportional to the rate of reaction.
2. Plot a graph to show:

 reaction rate (/s) on the vertical axis

 temperature (°C) on the horizontal axis
 draw a curve of best fit

Hazards, risks and precautions

Hazard Possible harm Possible precaution
Hot sodium thiosulfate
Burns to the skin  Do not heat above 60°C
solution

Irritation to the eyes

 Make sure the room is well ventilated, avoid
Sulfur dioxide and lungs, particularly
breathing directly over the top of the flask
to people with asthma
 Tie a piece of string between the barrel and
the plunger to limit the travel of the plunger
too much gas can cause and avoid expensive breakages.
Glass gas syringes the syringe plunger to  Use plastic syringes lubricated with a
fall out break silicone lubricant for the plunger to move
easily. Glass gas syringes must not be
lubricated as the plunger will stick.

This can be especially noxious if the experiment is done as a whole class practical and
potentially dangerous for students with asthma. It is important every group is provided with a
‘stop bath’ of sodium hydrogencarbonate solution mixed with an indicator. The reaction
mixture should be poured into the stop bath as soon as the mixture shows the desired
cloudiness. The acid and the sulfur dioxide are neutralized instantly and the indicator will
show when the stop bath is no longer effective.