Alex T.

Zhao
Gregg Kerr
IB Chemistry HL
May 28, 2013
Effect of Reactant Concentration on Reaction Rate
Background:
In this experiment, we will look at the reaction between sodium
thiosulfate and hydrochloric acid:

S2O2
3(aq) 2H (aq) SO2(aq) H 2O(l )

The time taken for the precipitate of sulfur to obscure a cross

marked on a piece of paper placed under the reaction flask is used as a
measure of the reaction rate. The less time it takes for the cross to
disappear, the faster the rate of reaction. In this activity we will
investigate the rate of this reaction as a function of the sodium thiosulfate
concentration.
Data Collection:
Volume of
0.25 mol
Na2S2O3
(mL)

Volume
of H2O
added
(mL)

Total
Volume
After
Mixing
(mL)

Concentration
of Na2S2O3
(mol dm-3)

Time for
cross to
disappear
(seconds)

45

50

0.225

16.97

35

10

50

0.175

18.75

25

20

50

0.125

26.16

15

30

50

0.075

44.00

40

50

0.025

179.03

1/time
(s-1)

0.058
9
0.053
3
0.038
2
0.022
7
0.005
6

Graph of 1/time vs. Initial Concentration:

IB Chemistry HL Lab 13

May 28, 2013

Processing of results, and questions:

1. What effect does the concentration of sodium thiosulfate have on
the reaction rate?
The higher the concentration of sodium thiosulfate, the less time it takes
for the cross to be obscured, meaning a higher reaction rate. In short:
Higher concentration, higher reaction rate; Lower concentration, lower
reaction rate.
2. If the concentration of sodium thiosulfate is doubled, what happens
to the rate of the reaction?
If the concentration of sodium thiosulfate is doubled, then the rate of the
reaction is also doubled. (Concentration double1/time is doubledtime
is halvedreaction rate is doubled)

IB Chemistry HL Lab 13

May 28, 2013