Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Kampar Campus)

Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Technology

Bachelor of Science (Hons) Biotechnology

Year 1 Semester 2

Laboratory 1B (UESB 1212)

(II) The Properties of Matter

Lecturer: Ms. Chew Yin Hoon

Student’s Name: Cheah Hong Leong

Student’s ID: 08AIB03788

Partner’s Name: Chong Shi Fern

Partner’s ID: 08AIB02580

Experiment No. 5

Title: Kinetics: The Rates of a Chemical Reaction

Date: 6 March 2009

Title: Kinetics: The Rates of a Chemical Reaction

Objectives:
– To study the rate of a chemical reaction
– To study the effect of concentration of reactants on the rate of a reaction
– To study the effect of temperature on the rate of reaction

Theory and Background:

The study of the rate of chemical reaction is called kinetics. The rate of reaction can be
rate of decrease in concentration of reactants per unit time or rate of increase in
concentration of products per unit time. The higher the rate of reaction, the shorter the
time it takes for the reaction to complete. That means the rate of reaction is inversely
proportional to the time taken to complete the reaction.
For the reaction: aA + bB cC + dD
The rate of reaction =
-∆[A]a.∆t= -∆[B]b.∆t= ∆[C]b.∆t= ∆[D]d.∆t

There are several main factors that affecting the rate of reaction: concentration of
reactants, temperature, presence of catalyst, and physical state of the reactants.
Except for zero order reaction, the rate of reaction increases if the concentration of
reactants increases. How concentration of reactants can affect the rate of reaction can be
explained by collision theory. According to collision theory, if the concentration of
reactants increases, molecules of the reactant would collide with each other more
frequent. Thus, the frequency of effective collision will also increase. Therefore, the rate
of the reaction increases.
However, collision theory contributes little in explaining the effect of temperature on rate
of reaction. At higher temperature, molecules of reactants move at a higher speed, thus
the frequency of effective collision will higher. Therefore, the reaction will complete at
shorter time. The effect of temperature can be explained better by Maxwell-Boltzmann
Distribution. At a higher temperature, a higher proportion of reactant molecules can have
effective collision, therefore the time requires for the reaction to complete will be shorter.
Thus the rate of reaction at higher temperature is higher.
The rate constant in terms of temperature can be represented by Arrhenius equation:
k=Ae-EaRT

In the reaction between persulphate ion and iodide ion, the rate of reaction can be
measured with the aid of thiosulphate ion and starch solution. With addition of small
quantity of thiosulphate ion, the iodine produced by the reaction is reduced back by
thiosulphate ion to iodide ion as it formed. However, the total amount of iodine that will
be produced in the reaction is in excess, when the entire thiosulphate ion has been
consumed by the iodine, iodine of further production has nothing to react with. The
excess iodine will be indicated by starch solution (blue iodine-starch complex solution).
The rate of reaction in this kind of reaction can be calculated from the time taken for the
solution to turn blue (the time taken for the formation of a constant amount of iodine).
Rate of reaction:
∆[I2]1.∆t= ∆Na2S2O3(Initial)2.∆t

The rate constant of a particular reaction can be calculated from the formula below:
Rate of reaction = k [A]m[B]n
k = rate constant
m = order of reaction with respect to A
n = order of reaction with respect to B
Material and Apparatus:
– 0.2 % starch
– 0.01 moldm-3 of sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3)
– 0.2 moldm-3 of potassium iodide (KI)
– 0.2 moldm-3 of ammonium persulphate ([NH4]2S2O8)
– 0.2 moldm-3 of potassium nitrate (KNO3)
– 0.2 moldm-3 of ammonium sulphate ([NH4]2SO4)
– Water bath
– Beakers
– Cylinders
– Stirrer
– Thermometer
– Digital stopwatch

Procedures:
Part A: Effect of Varying Concentration of Persulphate Ions on Rate of Reaction
1. 25 cm3 of 0.2 moldm-3 potassium iodide solution, 20 cm3 of 0.2 % starch solution
and 10 cm3 of 0.01 moldm-3 sodium thiosulphate solution were added to a beaker.
 2. 25 cm3 of 0.2 moldm-3 ammonium persulphate solution was added to the mixture
in beaker rapidly, and stirred at constant speed.
3. Once the ammonium persulphate solution was added to the mixture, digital
stopwatch was started the time. Time taken from mixing until the blue colour
appeared was recorded.
4. Diluted ammonium persulphate solutions were prepared by mixing 25 cm3 of it
with 75 cm3 of 0.2 moldm-3 ammonium sulphate solution; and by mixing 50 cm3
of it with 50 cm3 of 0.2 moldm-3 ammonium sulphate solution.
5. Steps 1 to 3 were repeated with 25 cm3 of the diluted ammonium persulphate
solutions in place of the undiluted solution.

Part B: Effect of Varying Concentration of Iodide Ions on Rate of Reaction

1. 25 cm3 of 0.2 moldm-3 potassium iodide solution was added with 75 cm3 of 0.2
moldm-3 potassium nitrate solution to dilute the potassium iodide solution.
2. Another diluted potassium iodide solution was prepared where 50 cm 3 of 0.2
moldm-3 potassium iodide was added with 50 cm3 of 0.2 moldm-3 potassium
nitrate solutions.
3. Steps 1 to 3 in Part A were repeated with the two diluted potassium iodide
solutions above in place of the undiluted potassium iodide solution.
Part C: Effect of Temperature on Rate of Reaction
1. One of the concentration sets in Part A and part B was chosen as standard in this
part of experiment.
2. Starch solution, potassium iodide solution and sodium thiosulphate solution with
chosen concentration set were added together in a beaker.
3. The mixture was immersed in a cold water bath and the temperature of the
mixture was measured.
o
4. When the temperature of the mixture reached 288K or 15 C constantly,
ammonium persulphate solution with chosen concentration set was added into the
mixture and stirred. Meanwhile, the digital stopwatch was started to record the
time taken for the blue colour to appear.
5. Another mixture with same concentration set was prepared in beaker.
 6. The mixture was immersed in a hot water bath and the temperature of the mixture
was measured.
o
7. When the temperature of the mixture reached 318K or 45 C constantly,
ammonium persulphate solution was added into the mixture and stirred.
Meanwhile, the digital stopwatch was started to record the time taken for the blue
colour to appear.

Results:
Table 1. Concentration of Persulphate Ion and Time Taken for Solution Turning Blue
Concentration of Persulphate Ion, moldm-3 Time, s
0.015625 162
0.03125 78
0.0625 35

Table 2. Concentration of Iodide Ion and Time Taken for Solution Turning Blue
Concentration of Iodide Ion, moldm-3 Time, s
0.015625 133
*0.03125 68
**0.0625 35
*Concentration Set Chosen as Standard in Table 3 (Procedure Part C)
**Shared Data from Table 1

Table 3. Temperature of Reactants and Time Taken for Solution Turning Blue
Temperature, K Time, s
288 108
*RT(298) 68
318 24
*Concentration Set from Table 2 Which was Carried Out at Room Temperature
Observation: The solution turned to dark blue colour period of time after the addition of
ammonium persulphate solution into the mixture.
Analysis and Calculation:
Equation of formation of iodine:
2 I- + S2O82- I2 + 2 S2O42-
Equation of consumption of iodine:
I2 + 2 S2O32- 2 I- + S4O62-
Rate of reaction = k [I-]m[ S2O82-]n
Rate of reaction is the rate of formation of iodine in the solution, which can be calculated
as:
∆[I2]1.∆t= ∆Na2S2O3(Initial)2.∆t

Given, [Na2S2O3] = 1.25 x 10-3 moldm-3

Rates of formation of iodine when concentration of persulphate ion varies can be
calculated from data obtained in Table 1 and tabulated as follow:
Table 4. Rates of Formation of Iodine
[S2O82-], moldm-3 Time, s Rates of Formation of Iodine, moldm-3s-1
0.015625 162 3.86 x 10-6
0.03125 78 8.01 x 10-6
0.0625 35 1.79 x 10-5

Graph 1. Rate of Formation of Iodine against [S2O82-] was plotted based on Table 4.

Rates of formation of iodine when concentration of iodide ion varies can be calculated
from data obtained in Table 2 and tabulated as follow:
Table 5. Rates of Formation of Iodine
[I-], moldm-3 Time, s Rates of Formation of Iodine, moldm-3s-1
0.015625 133 4.70 x 10-6
0.03125 68 9.19 x 10-6
0.0625 35 1.79 x 10-5
Graph 2. Rate of Formation of Iodine against [I-] was plotted based on Table 5.

Rates of formation of iodine with different temperature can be calculated from data
obtained in Table 3 and tabulated as follow:
Table 6. Rates of Formation of Iodine with Different Temperature
Temperature, K Time, s Rates of Formation of Iodine, moldm-3s-1
288 108 5.79 x 10-6
RT 68 9.19 x 10-6
318 24 2.60 x 10-5
*RT means Room Temperature (≈ 298K)

The overall calculations can be tabulated as follow:

Table 7. Tabulation of Overall Results
[S2O82-], [I-], moldm-3 Temperature, K Time, s Rate,
-3
moldm moldm-3s-1
0.015625 0.0625 RT 162 3.86 x 10-6
0.03125 0.0625 RT 78 8.01 x 10-6
0.0625 0.0625 RT 35 1.79 x 10-5
0.0625 0.015625 RT 133 4.70 x 10-6
0.0625 0.03125 RT 68 9.19 x 10-6
*RT means Room Temperature (≈ 298K)
Rate of reaction = k [I-]m[ S2O82-]n
When [I-] constant,
[(8.01 x 10-6)/ (1.79 x 10-5)] = [(0.03125n)(0.0625m)]/[(0.0625n)(0.0625m)]
0.4475 = 0.5n
nlog0.5 = log0.4475
n = 1.16
n≈1
When [S2O82-] constant,
[1.79 x 10-5]/[ 9.19 x 10-6] = [(0.0625n)(0.0625m)]/[(0.0625n)(0.03125m)]
1.9478 = 2m
mlog2 = log1.9478
m= 0.96
m≈1
Rate of reaction = k [I-][ S2O82-]
Table 8. Rate Constant at Constant Temperature
[S2O82-], moldm-3 [I-], moldm-3 Rate, moldm-3s-1 Rate constant, mol-1dm3s-1
0.015625 0.0625 3.86 x 10-6 3.95 x 10-3
0.03125 0.0625 8.01 x 10-6 4.10 x 10-3
0.0625 0.0625 1.79 x 10-5 4.58 x 10-3
0.0625 0.015625 4.70 x 10-6 4.81 x 10-3
0.0625 0.03125 9.19 x 10-6 4.71 x 10-3

Each of the rate constants values obtained was summed and divided to get the average
rate constant value at constant temperature:
Average rate constant, k = 4.43 x 10-3 mol-1dm3s-1 at room temperature.

Table 9. Rate Constant With Different Temperature

Temperature, K 1/T, x 10-3K-1 Rates, moldm-3s-1 k, mol-1dm3s-1 ln k
288 3.47 5.79 x 10-6 2.96 x 10-3 -5.82
298 3.36 9.19 x 10-6 4.71 x 10-3 -5.36
318 3.14 2.60 x 10-5 1.33 x 10-2 -4.32
*the concentration set: 0.0625 moldm-3 of [S2O82-], 0.03125 moldm-3 of [I-]
Graph 3. ln k against 1/T was plotted according to the table above.
k=Ae-EaRT

lnk=lnA- EaRT

The activation energy can be determined from Graph 3.

m = -Ea/R
-4500 = -Ea/8.314
Ea = 37413 J/mol
Activation energy, Ea = 37413 J/mol

Discussion:
Graph 1 shows that the rate of formation of iodine is proportional to the concentration of
the persulphate ion. The plots obtained give almost a straight line. Each of the plots
deviated from the best straight line drawn with minor deviation. No abnormal results
observed so far.
Graph 2 shows that the rate of formation of iodine is proportional to the concentration of
the iodide ion. A straight line can be drawn through the three plots obtained. No abnormal
plot obtained.
Graph 1 and 2 show that the rate of reaction is proportional to the concentration of
reactant at constant temperature. The rate constants obtained also show minor deviation
from the average rate constant = 4.43 x 10-3 mol-1dm3s-1 obtained. The rate constant with
lowest value is 3.95 x 10-3 mol-1dm3s-1 while the rate constant with highest value is 4.81 x
10-3 mol-1dm3s-1 . The m and n values obtained from the calculation of rate of reaction also
show values almost equal to round number. The results obtained in procedure Part A and
B were quite consistent.

From the calculation, it was found that the reaction was first order reaction. The Graph 1
and 2 plotted also proving the same thing. However, the extrapolation of the graph
towards the axis did not touch the origin point (0, 0). These lines were nearly touching
the origin showing only minor fluctuation was occurred during the experiment. This
might due to careless that occurred while recording the time taken for solution to appear
blue.
Graph 3 also showing the result from procedure Part C also quite consistent with the
other Part A and Part B. The best straight line drawn through the graph touched the most
of the plots. No abnormal results were identified in this procedure. The activation energy
obtained from this procedure was 37413 J/mol and the actual value should be close to
this value since only minor deviation of results occurred during the whole experiment.

Conclusion:
The rate of reaction was higher when higher concentrations of reactants were used, given
that other factors remain constant.
The rate of reaction was higher at higher temperature, given that other factors remain
constant.
The rate constant of the reaction at room temperature = 4.43 x 10-3 mol-1dm3s-1
The activation energy of the reaction = 37413 J/mol

References:
1. Siska P, E. (2006). University Chemistry. Pearson Benjamin Cumming.

2. Chemical Kinetics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2009, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_kinetics

3. Arrhenius Equation. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2009, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrhenius_equation
 4. Experiment 5.02 Kinetics of the Persulfate-iodide Clock Reaction. (n.d.).
Retrieved March 7, 2009, from
http://tlab.chem.ox.ac.uk/physchem/experiments/502.pdf

5. CHM-202 General Chemistry and Laboratory II. Laboratory 4. Chemical

Kinetics: The Iodine Clock Reaction. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2009, from
http://thelapierres.com/chm202/ChemDocs/Laboratory%204.pdf

Question:
1. Is reaction 2 fast or slow with respect to reaction 1? Explain.
Reaction 2 is faster. Because reaction 2 is needed to ensure the iodine cannot
appear and turn the solution blue, otherwise, reaction 2 cannot plays its role
anymore in this experiment in determining the rate of reaction.
2. Does reaction 1 or 2 control the time required for the blue colour to appear?
Reaction 1
3. What are the shapes of the plot of graphs of rate against concentration of
persulphate and iodide ions? What is the significant if this?
The shapes of the graphs are straight line with positive gradient. The rate of
reaction is proportional to the concentration of reactants.