Experiment 23

Factor Affecting Reaction Rates

CHEM-1112-04

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Spring 2019

Swati Mohan

Emilio Molina
Objective:
The objective of this experiment is to observe how the; nature of reactants,
concentration, and temperature all affect the rate of a reaction. This is
accomplished by utilizing acids and metals in various trials that incorporate
varying degrees of each factor listed.
Introduction:
The five factors of reaction rate are: Nature of the reactants, Temperature of the
chemical system, Presence of a catalyst, Concentration of the reactants, Surface
area of the reactants. Sodium, metals, and water are very vapid, exothermic
reactions. If temperature increases, so does the reaction rate, the same goes for
lowering temperature, the reaction rate will decrease. Catalysts increase the rate
of a chemical reaction without undergoing any net chemical change. Increasing a
concentration will also increase the reaction rate. The same goes for also the
surface area, if the surface area is larger, then the reaction rate will also increase.
Procedure:
The effects of the factors affecting reaction rates were observed in five separate
parts of the procedure. The first factor to be tested was the nature of the
reactants. Two test tubes were labelled as A and B. Each test tube contained 3 ml
of water (H2O). In test tube A, a strip of magnesium ribbon (Mg) was added while
in test tube B, a small piece of copper metal (Cu) was added. Observations were
then recorded.
The second factor that had been tested was the concentration of reactants. Two
setups were prepared, hydrochloric acid (HCl) concentration was held constant
while sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) concentration was variable for the first part. In
contrast, HCl concentration was the variable while Na2S2O3 concentration was
kept constant in the second setup. An empty 10-ml beaker was placed on a piece
of white paper. Then, a specific volume of 0.15 M Na2S2O3 was then placed inside
the beaker. The researchers were tasked to check if the mark was still visible
through the solution. Thereafter, a corresponding volume of H2O and 3 M HCl was
added immediately. The time from the moment the HCl was added to the
moment the mark was no longer visible had been recorded
The third factor that was put into the test was temperature. Two test tubes were
prepared, one with 5 ml of 0.15 M Na2S2O3 while the other contained 7.5 ml of
H2O and 2 ml of 3 M HCl. Both test tubes were immersed in a water bath
containing tap water for 5 minutes. Both solutions were mixed in a 50 ml beaker
placed on top of a piece of white paper marked with X. The time from the
moment the solutions were placed in the beaker to the moment the mark was no
longer visible had been recorded. This process was repeated at two other
temperatures: one approximately 10ºC lower than room temperature and the
other approximately 10ºC greater.
To test the surface area for the fourth part, two identical strips of Mg ribbon were
needed, one was cut into smaller pieces and the other remained uncut. The uncut
Mg ribbon and the shredded Mg ribbon were placed in separate test tubes. Then,
5 ml of 3 M HCl was added to both test tubes. Observations were then noted.

Calculation:
Results and Discussion:
The nature or kind of reactant plays a key role in the determination of reaction
rate. When a reactant has a low Ea or activation energy the faster the speed of
the reaction and higher rate. It is understandable that reaction goes faster when
reactants are in higher concentration as that offers a higher possibility of the
particles colliding or making contact with each other.
In altering the concentration, the Ea is unchanged however, it increases the
frequency of the reactant “collision.” When subjected to varying
temperature(consider treatments of the same solution)resulting rates also varies.
Almost all reaction proceeds faster with an increase in temperature. This is
because heating increases the energy of the particles, making the move faster
hence more entropic which increases the frequency of collision.
The amount of exposed area of reactants can pose a difference in the rates
likewise. Greater surface area available for contact means greater amount of
particles can be collided. Catalysts are substances that alter the speed (in this
case, speed up) of reaction without being consumed. It offers an alternative
pathway for the reaction to goon by either lowering the energy threshold
homogenous catalysis or by providing a surface for the reaction to take place,
heterogenous catalysis.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, many factors can affect the rate of a chemical reaction. The nature
of the reactants affect the reaction rate based on the different activation energies
of substances. The concentration of the reactants can also influence the
frequency of collisions between the reacting molecules, which may affect the rate
of reactions. Temperature not only affects the frequency of reactant collisions,
but also affects the energy those collisions possess. The surface area of reactions
influence the amount of available or exposed sites to react on. Lastly, the
presence and nature of a catalyst not only alters the activation energy of the
reaction, but also alters the mechanism in which the reactants react.
Laboratory Questions: