HCl Temperature Experiment

Research Question
How does changing the temperature of Hydrochloric acid (HCl) affect the rate of reaction
when reacted with magnesium (Mg) strips.
Rationale
The rate of reaction is how fast a reaction happens. Rate of reaction is very important in the
modern world as it effects many industries. In factories the rate of reaction is how people
make money, so the faster the rate of reaction the more money people will make. This
principle is also important in the medical sector. Medicines are absorbed into the body via
chemical reactions and cannot be reversed, therefore the faster medicines are absorbed
into the bloodstream, the faster that the pain is relieved. Temperature is an active
dependant variable that is changing all the time and the temperature can affect the rate of
reaction.
Temperature will always have an impact in the rate of a reaction whether it is a minute
effect of a mammoth effect, the rate of reaction changes. Generally speaking, in this
experiment if the HCl is colder the rate of reaction should be slower and vice-versa. For
example, when baking a cake you put it in the oven and the cake mix is reacted with the
heat and particles expand, causing the cake to rise.
Hypothesis
If the temperature of HCl is changed, then the rate of reaction will increase/decrease.
Original experiment
The original experiment (taken from nelson science textbook was essentially the same but
instead three concentrations of HCl were used (0.1 moler, 0.6 moler, 1.0 moler).
Modifications to the methodology
The experiment was changed to see if there was a difference in the rate of reaction when
the temperature was increased, decreased or at room temperature. This time there is also
three trials taking place for each temperature
Safety and Ethical Considerations
As always with scientific experiments, general and specialised safety guidelines need to be
followed, such as:
-take extra care not to spill on anyone as it could cause burns and irritation.
-take care in handling hot test tubes that were in hot water bath.
-Do not smell directly, only waft.
-if beaker is broken it can cause cuts and abrasions.
Results and Analysis

Temp of HCl Trial1 Trial2 Trial3

(Celsius)
25 207 secs 150 secs 147 secs
16 91.2 secs 120.6 secs 123.6 secs
52 79.8 secs 89.4 secs 120 secs
Table 1: raw data

Temperature (Celsius) Mean (seconds)

25 168
16 111.8
52 96.4
Table 2: processed data

Interpretation-The initial hypothesis was correct as the rate of reaction sped up when the
HCl was heated and the rate of reaction slowed down when the HCl was refrigerated.
Limitations of data-The hypothesis was correct as the rate of reaction was slower than the
heated HCl but the cold HCl dissolved faster than the room temperature HCl.
Sources of Error:
-number of trials
-inaccurate Mg dropping times
-slightly different temperatures even though HCl was apart of same category
Suggested improvements:
-do each trial one at a time so we don’t have to try and drop Mg at same time.

Conclusion
The original hypothesis was correct and the rate of reaction changed according to the
temperature