Le Chatelier’s Principle: Iron thiocyanate ion equilibrium

Conduct a first-hand investigation to determine whether the given reaction is exothermic or

endothermic:

yellow red
Use only the substances shown below and any other equipment in the lab to plan and write
up your investigation.

Add 6 drops of potassium thiocyanate and 6 drops of iron (III) chloride to 30 mL

deionised water. Use this solution to conduct your experiment.

Link for risk assessment

http://www.riskassess.com.au/
username: sydneygirls
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Macroscopic Properties of Iron Thiocyanate Ion Equilibrium with Heat

Changes
Aim

To determine whether the equilibrium system’s forward reaction is endothermic or exothermic

based on macroscopic changes in equilibrium from a temperature change
Hypothesis
An exothermic reaction releases heat, and when heat is decreased, the system will favour the
forward reaction to produce more. The reverse occurs when heat is increased.
When a side of an equilibrium reaction is favoured, more products of that side is produced,
increasing the concentration of it and changing macroscopic properties of the newly
established equilibrium.
Risk Assessment:

Risk How to minimise the risk?

Acid can burn the skin, eyes and is Wear the appropriate protection (gloves,
hazardous when inhaled glasses and/or lab coat)

Boiling water can burn and ice can also burn Handle the extremities in temperature of
if there is prolonged contact with the skin varying degrees with care and caution,
ensuring that you do not handle these
temperatures for long periods of time.

Glass shards may cut skin due to sudden Wear closed in shoes and place glassware
exposure to extreme cold/hot temperatures away from edge of table
or being dropped (esp. When ashley(sinki)
bangs the glass too hard)

Procedure

1. Aliquot 10 drops potassium thiocyanate and 10 drops of iron (III) chloride to 30 mL

deionised water
2. Pour equal amounts into 3 small test tubes. Commented [1]: Try to write steps in order i.e. record
colour of test tube left at room temperature (control) as
3. Put one sample into an ice bath and record the temperature, step 3
4. Repeat step 3 with a hot water bath and one control left at room temperature.
Commented [2]: If you recorded temperature it should
5. Observe macroscopic properties and withdraw all samples. be recorded in your results table
6. Compare and record Commented [3]: good but be specific i.e. colour
7. Repeat experiment change

Results (record in table and include photos) Commented [4]: Tables generally have independent
variable in the first column and dependent variable in
the second and make sure to not leave any cells blank
Ice water Bath Room Temperature Hot Water Bath (e.g. could label heading as 'temperature')

Colour change Turned lighter yellow Remained same Turned darker

colour orange colour red/orange
Conclusion
The forward reaction is exothermic and the solution became a pale yellow.

Discussion (include explanations for any observations using Le Chatelier’s Principle)

The experiment was conducted to determine whether the equilibrium system’s forward
reaction is endothermic or exothermic based on macroscopic changes in equilibrium from a
temperature change. By analysing the results obtained from the first trial of the experiment, it
was found that the reaction is an endothermic reaction. This is because when temperature is
increased greatly, the mixture in the reaction vessel turns to a pale yellow, showing that it has
moved to the right as it has attempted to decrease the temperature. Hence, the forward Commented [5]: You need to relate ion to colour e.g.
Fe3+ ions are yellow, SCN- ions are colourless and
reaction is an exothermic reaction. On the other hand, when temperature decreases, the FeSCN2+ ions are red.
equilibrium will shift to the left, producing more of Fe3+ and thus its darker reddish colour. This
Commented [6]: the Fe3+ ions were yellow
is due to the equilibrium shifting to the reverse endothermic reaction to increase its
temperature.

The accuracy of the experiment is arguable because the experimental conditions was not Commented [7]: accuracy is how close your value is
to the published value...you could look up on the
ideal. Given the time constraints, it was difficult to conduct the experiment accurately as it is internet whether the forward reaction is exo/endo and
possible that some of the iron (III) chloride and potassium thiocyanate solutions may have make a comment
spilled or been left in the test tubes. Besides, to improve the accuracy, a polystyrene foam
cup should be used to reduce heat absorption and induction with the surrounding.

In regard to the reliability of the experiment, repeated trials were carried out to get consistent Commented [8]: Reliability is not just about repeating
the experiment. It is about repeating the experiment
results, meaning that the experiment is fairly reliable. The equipments were applied and getting CONSISTENT results
appropriately and all controlled variables were kept same throughout the experiment,
showing that the experiment was valid. Commented [9]: good but could you provide specific
examples? e.g. step 2 in your procedure ensures you
had equal volumes in each test tube i.e. equal
Overall, the experiment was valid, reliable and fairly inaccurate. However, the results concentration
obtained still are enough to propose that the reaction is exothermic.