Rates of Reaction

Rates of Reaction
Coursework

Aim

The aim of this investigation is to find out and observe how temperature affects the rate of reaction. I am going to investigate the changes caused to the solution of hydrochloric acid and sodium thiosulphate when the temperature is changed.

Hypothesis

I know that temperature is a major factor in this as increasing or decreasing the temperature changes the movement of particles in a substance therefore changing the rate of reaction. When a reaction mixture is heated up, each particle in it acquires more energy and collides more with other particles.

Therefore, from my own knowledge, I can make the prediction that if you increase the temperature of a particular reaction, you increase the speed at which it takes place. This is simply because the particles carry more energy and collide more often where these collisions contain enough energy to break the energy barrier. Collisions between particles are useless unless they break the energy barrier and this is exactly what increasing the temperature will allow them to do.


Apparatus

The equipment I need to carry out the work and to obtain my results is:
• Sodium thiosulphate solution
• Hydrochloric acid
• 250cm³ conical flask
• Thermometer
• 50cm³ measuring cylinder
• 10cm³ measuring cylinder
• Water bath
• Stop watch
• A pair of Tongs
• Paper marked with an X

Diagram

Safety Precautions

Throughout this experiment, I made sure that safety was one of my top priorities. I wore goggles at all times to protect my eyes and took off my blazer and tie so they didn't accidentally get caught in a bunsen burner. I used tongs to make sure I didn't touch the water bath.

Method

Firstly, I measured 50cm sodium thiosulphate solution using the conical flask and put it into the water bath which was pre-heated to the appropriate temperature. The appropriate temperature was checked using the thermometer. I now placed the paper with the X marked on it... [continues]

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