Chem 112 Procedure 2

1

THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND CONCENTRATION ON REACTION
RATE



INTRODUCTION

FACTORS INFLUENCING REACTION RATE:

The study of chemical reactions is not complete without a consideration of the rates at which these reactions proceed. We
know that some reactions such as those between ions in solution frequently proceed very rapidly, while others proceed so
slowly that the rate is not even detectable. The practical importance of these rate considerations is difficult to exaggerate.
For example, a metal which is exposed to weather will undergo reactions with oxygen and water which result in corrosion.

Among the most important factors influencing the rate of a reaction are: temperature, concentration and catalysis. In
addition, for solids the condition of the surface is of great importance.

There are two main theories involved in explaining reaction rates. These are the Activated Complex (Transition State)
Theory and the Collision Theory. However, in the lecture part of the course, you will also look at the Activated Complex
(Transition State) Theory.

COLLISION THEORY

Consider the simple reaction: A + B Products

A and B are atoms, ions, or molecules, in order for A and B to react with each other, they must collide together. Since
molecules are in rapid and continual motion, molecules of A and Be will collide with one another at frequent intervals.
However, not every collision of A and B will result in the formation of products. Before a reaction can occur, the reactants
collide with a certain amount of energy, this energy is called activation energy or energy of activation. This energy
comes from the kinetic energy that A and B possess, so that only those collision which occur with sufficient force will be
effective in causing reaction. If the concentration of either A or B is doubled, the number of collisions between A and B per
time is doubled. If the temperature is raised, the kinetic energies of both A and B are increased so that there are more
collisions per second, and a greater fraction of these will lead to chemical reaction. The rate, therefore, generally increases
with increasing temperature.

The activation energy can be determined by using the Arrhenius Equation: k = Ae
-Ea/RT

The Arrhenius equation can be re-written as: ln k = - Ea/RT + ln A Where:
k = rate constant
A = frequency factor
Ea = activation energy
R = gas constant as: 8.3145 J/mol K
T = absolute temperature, K

When ln k is plotted against 1/T the slope = -Ea/R and the slope intercept is ln A

CATALYSIS

A catalyst can be thought of as an agent, which alters the speed of a chemical reaction. This results from a decrease in the
amount of activation energy necessary for the reaction. When less activation energy is needed, a larger fraction of the
collisions will possess the required energy, and the rate will increase. The manner in which the catalyst lowers the
activation energy depends upon the type of catalyst. A catalyst which decreases the speed of a reaction is called an
inhibitor.
Chem 112 Procedure 2



2
CLOCK REACTION
In this experiment, the effect of temperature and concentration on the rate of a chemical reaction will be studied. The
reaction chosen, frequently termed the clock reaction, is actually a series of consecutive reactions represented by the
following equations:


BrO
3
1-
+ 6 I
1-
+ 6H
+
Br
1-
+ 3I
2
+ 3 H
2
O (1)

I
2
+ 2 S
2
O
3
2-
2 I
1-
+ S
4
O
6
2-
(2)

I
2
+ Starch Blue color (3)


The iodine that is produced in reaction (1) is immediately used up in reaction (2), so that no appreciable concentration of
iodine can build up until all of the Na
2
S
2
O
3
has been used up. When this occurs, the iodine concentration becomes great
enough to change the color of a starch indicator to blue. The appearance of the blue color is thus an indication that all of
the Na
2
S
2
O
3
has been used up.

RATE LAW
In this experiment, the rate law of the above reaction with be determined.

The rate law is: Rate = k [A]
x
[B]
y
[C]
z

The numerical values of x, y , and z will be determined experimentally. x, y, and z are also the order of the reaction with
respect to A, B, and C. The sum of the individual orders of the reactant gives the overall order of the reaction. Once, x,y,
and z are calculated, the rate constant, k can be calculated.


Experiment

EQUIPMENT
You will be working on this experiment in pairs. Each pair will fill out a slip (names of both students on slip) to check
out the following four items form the stockroom:
1 2 mL volumetric pipet 1 3 mL volumetric pipet
3 5 mL volumetric pipets 3 10 mL volumetric pipet
1 pipet helper 1 timer

During the Summer, students should keep all items, storing them in their drawers, until they have finished
the experiment.
During the Fall and Spring semesters, students must return all items to the stockroom at the end of the lab
period, unless advised otherwise.


Chem 112 Procedure 2



3

A. The Effect of Concentration on Reaction Rate

Lab Notebook: Set up a table in your lab notebook for the data for this portion of the experiment. (Make this
table at least 1/2 page!)
CAUTION
POTASSIUM IODIDE: CAUSES IRRITATION. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED********.
SODIUM THIOSULFITE: HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTION
AND BREATHING DIFFICULTIES. MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES, AND
RESPIRATORY TRACT.*****************
POTASSIUM BROMATE: HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTION
AND BREATHING DIFFICULTIES. MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES, AND
RESPIRATORY TRACT.****************

Table A: Concentration vs. Rate Data

Test Tube #1 Test Tube #2





Run
#
Volume (mL)
0.010 M KI
Volume (mL)
0.0010 M
Na
2
S
2
O
3
Volume (mL)
water

Volume
(mL) 0.040
M KBrO
3

Volume (mL)
0.10 M HCl
Starch

Time
(secs)

Average
Time
(secs)

1


10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 5 drops



2

20.00 10.00 0 10.00 10.00 5 drops

3



10.00 10.00 0 20.00 10.00 5 drops
4

10.00 10.00 0 10.00 20.00 5 drops
5

8.00 10.00 12.00 5.00 15.00 5 drops
DO NOT RECORD YOUR DATA ON THIS PAGE. COPY TABLE INTO
NOTEBOOK!

Note: In this part of the experiment, under some conditions, it may take as long as three minutes for the color
change to occur.
Part B reactions will be at ~ RT (Room Temperature)

1. Pipet 10 mL of 0.010 M KI, 10 mL of 0.0010 M NaS
2
O
3
solution into each of two 8 test tubes. Label each
Test Tube #1
2. Pipet 10 mL of 0.040 M KBrO
3
and 10 mL of 0.10 M HCl into each of two 8 test tubes. Add 5 drops of
fresh starch solution to each test tube. Label each Test Tube #2.
3. Add Test Tube #1 it into a clean, dry 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask. Immediately add Test Tube #2 and swirl to
mix immediately. Begin timing when you add Test Tube #2 to the Erlenmeyer flask. Stop timing, when the
blue color appears and record the time of the reaction. (The color change should be very abrupt. If the
change does not occur all at once throughout the solution, you did not mix the two reagents well enough.)
4. Repeat Step 5 with another set of

samples, and time the reaction as before. If the time for this second run
is significantly different than the time of the first run, repeat the procedure for a third run. Continue until two
consistent values for time are obtained.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Chem 112 Procedure 2



4

Answer the following questions in your notebook in the form of conclusions:

1. Using your data, calculate the rate orders with respect to KI, KBrO
3
, and H
+
as well as the overall rate
order of the reaction. Note: use the average times.

2. Calculate the rate constant for the reaction at RT.



B. THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON REACTION RATE
Lab Notebook: Set up a table in your lab notebook for the data for this part of the experiment.


TABLE B: Temperature vs. Rate Data (Make this graph at least a page)
Approximate
Temperature
Run
#
Measured
Temperature (C)
Average
Temperature (C)
Run Time
(seconds)
Average Run
Time (seconds)


~40C




~ RT* = ____



~10C



*Room Temperature
DO NOT RECORD YOUR DATA ON THIS PAGE. COPY TABLE INTO NOTEBOOK!
Note: You need only do two good runs at each temperature, ~10C, ~RTC, and ~40C. Do more than two runs
at the same temperature only if the times for the two runs differ greatly. That is -- repeat the measurements at a
particular temperature until two consistent values for time are obtained.

1. Set up a water bath in your 250 mL beaker. Heat the water bath to approximately 40C.

2. Pipet 10 mL of 0.010 M KI , 10 mL of 0.0010 M NaS
2
O
3
solution into each of two 8 test tubes. Add 5 drops
of fresh starch solution to each test tube. Label each Test Tube #1
3. Pipet 10 mL of 0.040 M KBrO
3
and 10 mL of 0.10 M HCl into each of two 8 test tubes. Label each Test
Tube #2.
4. Place the test tubes in the water bath that has been heated to the desired temperature. Read and record
the temperature of the water bath. Leave the samples in the water bath for at least 4 minutes.

5. Add Test Tube #1 it into a clean, dry 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask. Immediately add Test Tube #2 and swirl to
mix immediately. Begin timing when you add Test Tube #2 to the Erlenmeyer flask. Stop timing, when the
blue color appears and record the time of the reaction. (The color change should be very abrupt. If the
change does not occur all at once throughout the solution, you did not mix the two reagents well enough.)

6. Repeat Step 5 with another set of

samples, and time the reaction as before. If the time for this second run
is significantly different than the time of the first run, repeat the procedure for a third run. Continue until two
consistent values for time are obtained.

7. Reduce the temperature of the water bath to approximately RT= _____ and repeat steps 2 through 6 at that
temperature.

8. Reduce the temperature of the water bath, using ice, to approximately 10C and repeat steps 2 through 6 at
that temperature.
Chem 112 Procedure 2



5


Answer the following question:

1. Make a plot of Time vs. Temperature (use the average time at each temperature); draw a smooth
line through the points. Does the reaction rate increase or decrease with decrease in temperature?
Explain, giving two reasons in terms of Collision Theory

Calculations/Graph:
1. Using your data and the reaction orders determined in part A, calculate the rate constant, k at for
the three temperatures.
2. Graph ln k vs 1/T and then using your graph determine the activation energy. (Hint: The slope = -
Ea/R)



Tape both graphs to blank pages following Table B.
Chem 112 Procedure 2



6
THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND CONCENTRATION ON
REACTION RATE

PURPOSE:

EQUATIONS:

MATERIALS TABLE:

SAFETY:

PART A- The Effect of Concentration on Reaction Rate:

Procedure:
Data:

Test Tube #1 Test Tube #2





Run
#
Volume (mL)
0.010 M KI
Volume (mL)
0.0010 M
Na
2
S
2
O
3
Volume (mL)
water

Volume (mL)
0.040 M
KBrO
3

Volume (mL)
0.10 M HCl
Starch

Time
(secs)

Average
Time
(secs)

1


10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 5 drops



2

20.00 10.00 0 10.00 10.00 5 drops

3



10.00 10.00 0 20.00 10.00 5 drops
4

10.00 10.00 0 10.00 20.00 5 drops
5

8.00 10.00 12.00 5.00 15.00 5 drops
Calculations:
1. a. Summary Table for the Molarity of [I
-
], [BrO
3
-
], and [H
+
] after mixing:

Mixtures [I
-
] [BrO
3
-
] [H
+
]
1
2
3
4
5

b. Setups for the calculation of the Molarity of [I
-
], [BrO
3
-
], and [H
+
] after mixing.
(Show a sample calculation for each of the required calculations)
Questions:
1. Using your data, calculate the rate orders with respect to KI, KBrO
3
, and H
+
as well as the overall rate
order of the reaction. Note: Use the average times.

2. Calculate the rate constant for the reaction at RT.
Chem 112 Procedure 2



7


PART B- The Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate:

Procedure:

Data:
TABLE B: Temperature vs. Rate Data
Approximate
Temperature
Run
#
Measured
Temperature (C)
Average
Temperature (C)
Run Time
(seconds)
Average Run
Time (seconds)


~40C




~ RT* = ____



~10C




Graphs:

Question:
1. Make a plot of Time vs. Temperature (use the average time at each temperature); draw a smooth
line through the points. Does the reaction rate increase or decrease with decrease in temperature?
Explain, giving two reasons in terms of Collision Theory

Calculations/Graph:

1. Using your data and the reaction orders determined in part A, calculate the rate constant, k at for
the three temperatures.
2. Graph ln k vs 1/T and then using your graph determine the activation energy (Hint: The slope = -
Ea/R)




SUMMARY: