See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/352998785

IODINE CLOCK PRACTICAL PREPARATION

Article · July 2021

CITATIONS READS
0 8,832

2 authors:

Marian Kafui Kutsoati Theresa Kutsoati

University of Greenwich Teskof Foundation
13 PUBLICATIONS 0 CITATIONS 6 PUBLICATIONS 0 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Theresa Kutsoati on 05 July 2021.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 IODINE CLOCK PRACTICAL PREPARATION

Abstract
Background: Kinetic chemistry is one of the major phenomenon that explains the collision
theory. Hans Heinrich Landolt (1886) studied chemical kinetics. Thus, the effects of
concentration and temperature on a reaction rate. Several factors are known to influence the rate
of reaction of substances. As per the collision theory, the factors include concentration of
reactants.

Methods: Ascorbic acid solution was prepared by dissolving 500mg of ascorbic acid made up to
a total volume of 30mL with deionised water. Beakers were clean and dry. The concentrations of
the solutions were calculated and expressed as percentage weight to volume (%w/v) and molar
solution.

Results: After the addition of ascorbic acid to the product of Lugol's reagent, the triiodide ion
was reduced to the iodide ion, which did not react with the starch.

C6H8O6 + I3 --- C6 H8O6 + 3I + 2H

The reaction in Lugol's reagent was as follows:

I2 (aq) + KI ---- KI3

Conclusion: Chemicals react quicker when heated, possess higher concentration (less water) and
stirred. Reaction rates are slowed when cold, not stirred or have lower competing molecules and
/concentration.

Introduction
The discovery of the iodine clock reaction was by Hans Heinrich. It underpins demonstration of
kinetics in Chemistry. It employs two clear solutions of known concentrations which are mixed
together, in this case the Lugol's reagent also known as Potassium triiodide reacts with starch to
form the blueblack colour observed.

Therefore, it is important to understand the conditions that affect the rate of a chemical reaction.
The rate of reaction simply refers to how fast or slow a reaction occurs relative to its standard.
The iodine clock reaction teaches the basic principles of chemistry controlling which forms part
of our daily lives (Suuronen, 2018).

Hypothesis

Predictions were made regarding the effect of temperature and the concentration of Vitamin C. I
predicted the solution will turn blue black faster when warmer because particles move faster in
higher temperatures. Also, i predicted that more of Vitamin C will delay the reaction as a result
of more chemicals keeping the liquid clear. In the case of concentration effect, the solution would
turn blue-black quickly due to particle closeness.

According to the particle theory, the faster particles move, the quicker they react. However, the
solutions were not stirred or disturbed (Suuronen, 2018).

Method
Reagents were correctly prepared. Equipment were properly assessed for correct functioning.
Safety goggles, 20 mL test tubes, test tube rack , 100 mL conical flasks, 3mL plastic pipettes
were used. Lugol's reagent is a molecular compound of Aqueous Iodine (I 2) and Potassium
Iodide (KI). 5% w/v solution of I2 and 10% w/v solution of KI were used. Their molar solutions
were 197 mmol/L and 602 mmol/L respectively. The starch solution was prepared by dissolving
2 grams of starch in 20mL of water. The resulting weight was 10% w/v solution.

Tube A contents: 6 mL deionised water, 8 drops of Lugol's solution plus the deionised water and
ascorbic acid solution volumes shown in table 1.

Tube B contents: 6 mL deionised water, 1mL hydrogen peroxide solution. 0.5mL starch solution.

Control experiment: Replace ascorbic acid in Tube A with water to ensure no reaction takes
place.

Observation:

In reaction A, hydrogen peroxide and Iodine solution were combined to produce the triiodide ion
and water as products. Hydrogen peroxide generated the triiodide ion as shown below:

3I + 2H + H2O2 --- I3+ 2H2 O

In reaction B, triiodide is combined with Vitamin C to produce Iodine and Sulfur derivative.
Reaction B is a fast reaction which uses Vitamin C to change the triiodide back to iodine, to
maintain a clear solution.

Subsequently, the ascorbic acid/Vitamin C that kept the solution from turning blue diminished
and the triiodide was no longer consumed by reaction B anymore.

At this point, Potassium triiodide reacted with starch to form the blue-black colour observed.

Testing the effect of Vitamin C concentration

I used the standard procedure and doubled the Vitamin C weight and observed how long the
mixture turned to blue-black.

Testing the effect of Temperature

I used the standard procedure and tested using room temperature (cold water) and warm water to
observe how long the solution took to turn blue-black.

Testing the effect of volume of solvent

I used the standard procedure and dissolved the mixture in 10mL of water instead of 20mL.

Results
Table 1: Iodine Clock Practical Results

Ascorbic Acid Deionised Water (mL) Time 1 (s) Time 2 (s)

Solution( mL) Based on temperature
0.50 1.50 180 30

0.75 1.25 240 60

1.00 1.00 300 90

1.25 0.75 360 120

1.50 0.50 420 150

2.00 0.00 480 180

In table 1 above, it is evident that the higher the concentration of the solvent (Ascorbic acid
mixture), the longer it takes for the reaction to occur. Increased addition of Ascorbic acid to the
solution reduces the time for the blue-black colour to appear and the reverse is true. Furthermore,
a variation in temeperature affected the rate of reaction. Changing the temperature affected the
reactants in the experiment.
Discussion and Conclusion
To determine the necessary conditions for a colour change, the variables tested were temperature,
concentration of Vitamin C/ Ascorbic Acid. The purpose of these experiments was to examine
how different variables (volume of solvent, temperature, concentration) can be altered to have an
effect on a chemical reaction. My general results showed that chemicals react faster when heated,
have higher concentration, and the opposite is true. The results showed that, more of vitamin C
delayed the reaction, higher temperature quickened the reaction and high solvent concentration
speeded the reaction.

Predictions were made regarding the effect of temperature and the concentration of Vitamin C. I
predicted the solution will turn blue black faster when warmer because particles move faster in
higher temperatures. Also, i predicted that more of Vitamin C will delay the reaction as a result
of more chemicals keeping the liquid clear. In the case of concentration effect, the solution would
turn blue-black quickly due to particle closeness. These were all confirmed in the results.The
limiting element was the triiodide ion as it was reduced to iodide ion and did not react with the
starch solution.

In our daily lives, we encounter mechanisms of controlling chemical reactions. These may
include mining metals from ores, car engines and dough mixtures.

In Graph 1 below, the line of best fit (R) was significant which indicated that the experiment was
carried out accurately with all the necessary precautions and controls in place. It further
validates the laws of chemical kinetics as seen below.

Graph 1: Effects of Vitamin C and temperature on time(s)

Reflection
Understanding the control of chemicals is very essential in product safety. I used the classic
iodine clock reaction to demonstrate The utilisation of the standard procedures enabled me
conduct effective comparisons thereby deepening my accuracy of results and providing
experimental control. I carefully designed my experiment to enable me navigate through
effectively.Experimental design is very essential in the conduct of any scientific experiment. I
ensured the equipment in use were correctly functioning, reagents were correctly prepared, and
kept constant with the exception of the ascorbic acid and there were no contaminations. I
measured the start volumes, had the essential size of test tubes and other reaction vessels.

The ''Collission theory'' indicates that in order for a reaction to occur, molecules must collide
(Shakhashiri, 1992). This was evident during the addition of ascorbic acid which left molecules
in a battle.

In my standard experiment, after the combination of the two clear liquids, it took an estimated 3
minutes (180 seconds) for the liquid to change to blue-black. In the experiment that followed, the
amount of vitamin C was increased but resulted in an estimated 4 minutes for the colour to
change to blue-black using the standard procedure. When i incorporated warm water, the colour
changed instantly to blue-blackbefore i began my observation. The reults above validate my
predictions as stated hypothetically.

At least, i repeated the experiments twice. I experienced no deviations from my estimated

hypothesis. I noticed that, because i used the correct measurements and proportions whether
constant or varied, i was able to generate accurate results. Therefore, products generated from
chemical reactions are dependent on correct measurements and proportions.
 References
Shakhashiri, B., 1992. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry, Vol. 4,
pp 42-43. U. of Wisconsin

Suuronen, A., 2018. Iodine Clock Reaction. The Canadian Science Fair Journal, 1(1), pp.1-4.

View publication stats