Lab 9

Skills assessed: ORR and AI

Title: Rates of Reaction
Aim: To determine the effect of concentration on the rate of the reaction between sodium thiosulphate and
HCl
Apparatus: per pair of students
1.
0.5M HCl 110ml
2.
0.15 M Na2S2O3 130ml
3.
Distilled water
5.
Beaker 4
7.
Stopwatch/Timer (1)
8.
25ml measuring cylinder (1)
9.
50ml measuring cylinder (1)
Method: (This lab will be done in pairs 1 person will conduct the 1st two conc.s while the other does
the 2nd two concs. You will then swap results.)
1. Measure 50ml of sodium thiosulphate into the 50ml measuring cylinder and then add it to the beaker.
2. Place the conical flask/beaker on a paper given
3. Record the initial temperature of the sodium thiosulphate solution
4. Measure 25 ml of 0.5M HCl into a 25ml measuring cylinder
5. Add the HCl to the conical beaker and immediately start timing
6. Swirl the contents of the flask/beaker once and let it stand on the white tile
7. Stop timing when the writing on the paper is no longer visible through the solution
8. Record the time taken in seconds
9. Wash the solution down the sink with plenty of water
10. Repeat the experiment at three different concentrations of sodium thiosulphate (refer to the results
table)
11. Use 1/time taken as a measure of the relative rate
Expt.
#

1
2
3
4

Volume of
0.15M sodium
thiosulphate/m
l
50
35
25
15

Volume of
distilled
water/ml

Volume of
HCl/ml

0
15
25
35

25
25
25
25

Concentratio
n of
thiosulphate
solution/M

Time
taken/s

Relative
rate/s-1

N.B. Add the required volume of thiosulphate to the 50ml measuring cylinder and then make it up to
the 50 ml mark with distilled water, where applicable.
1. Calculate the concentration of Na2S2O3 in each experiment using the formula
C1V1 = C2V2, where C1 = initial concentration of 0.15M, V1 = volume of 0.15M used, V2 = volume of
thiosulphate + distilled water
2. Plot a graph of concentration (y-axis) vs time taken (x-axis)
3. Plot a graph of relative rate (y-axis) vs concentration (x-axis)

Discussion:
A complete analysis of your results (inclusive of your graphs) based on the information learnt during the
study of Rates of Reactions
Use the following mark scheme to guide your write up
Skill Assessed: Observation, Recording and Reporting Total 12 marks
1. Use of correct grammar (4)
Correct sentence structure less than 3 mistakes (2)
Correct spelling less than 3 mistakes (1)
Correct punctuation less than 3 mistakes (1)
2. Cohesion and fluidity of report (1)
3. Enclosed table with suitable headings and units (1)
4. Suitable titles for table and both graphs (2)
1 table and/or graph without a suitable title (1)
5. Labeled axes, scales and units present on both graphs (3)
One of the above components missing on one or both graphs (2)
6. Graph occupies 50% or more of the paper (1)
Skill Assessed: Analysis and Interpretation Total 12 marks
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Deduces relationship between concentration and time from graph (1)

Deduces relationship between concentration and rate from graph (1)
Deduces order with respect to [S2O8] from graph (1)
Deduces rate constant with units using information from graph (2)
Uses collision theory to explain relationships observed (3)
Increase in concentration increases the number of reacting particles and frequency of collisions (2)
Increase in frequency of collisions means increase in the number of successful collisions (correct
orientation) (1)
6. Suggests possible sources of error (2)
7. Writes equation for the reaction (2)