aim

i aim to find out whether concentration affects the rate of reaction. in the
gcse focus on science and double science chemistry textbooks they both
agree that ‘there are four methods of increasing the rate of reactions’
1. temperature
2. concentration
3. surface area
4. catalysts

so throughout my investigation and test i will use one of the four methods-
concentration. i will use this method because it is one of the easiest to test as
it does not involve syringes or having to keeop the room in strictly
controlled conditions; it is easier to keep a fair test. also it is easy to var. i
have chosen this reaction however because sulphur will be formed from the
sodium thiosulphate, sulphur is insoluble so it makes the solution go cloudy.
there will be one clear ending point:- when the cross disappears.

apparatus

• a conical flask for the two reactants to react in.

• a piece of plain paper, which the cross will be clearly drawn on.
• black pen.
• hcl (hydrochloric acid), a reactant (150ml in total because i will will be
repeating each experiment three times, for increased accuracy.
• sodium thiosulphate.
• stop watch to time the reactions.
• water.
• measuring cylinder, to accurately measure the amounts.
• safety goggles, to protect eyes from potentially dangerous substances.
(hcl).
• 3 beakers to contain the sodium thiosophate, the hcl and the water.

method
before the experiment starts the ratios of sodium thiosulphate to hcl to
water must be established. the total volume must be kept the same
consistently to keep it a fair test ( so that it is not more or less diluted); i
have chosen 60ml because it was fits perfectly to want i need to solve, whilst
still having a wide range of results. the hcl will also be kept at a constant of
10 ml because it is sodium thiosulphate that will be altered after each
experiment. this will make it easier to test the effects of concentration on the
rate of reaction.
proportions

sodium thiosulphate (ml) hydrochloric acid (ml) water (ml) total volume (ml)
50 10 0 60
40 10 10 60
30 10 20 60
20 10 30 60
10 10 40 60

the volume stays at a constant 60ml, this is done by adding together the
amount of hcl, sodium thiosulphate and water together….

hcl + sodium thiosulphate + water = total volume

the sodium thiosulphate varies from 50ml to 10ml, this is the concentration,
highest to lowest. each experiment at (ach concentration level) will be
repeated 3 times to create a fair test: the average time will be the one
recorded because i predict that the times will be fairly close.

firstly, place the conical flask over the piece of paper with a large black cross
on it ; ensure that it can be seen when looking down into the flask. measure
out 10ml of hcl using the measuring cylinder, to do this more accurately,
keep the desired amount at eye level, do this whilst doing all measurements
throughout the test to make it a fair test.

add the hcl to the conical flask. then wash out the measuring cylinder, and
dry it thoroughly or simply use another cylinder. once i have done that i will
measure out the amount of sodium thiosulphate needed for the experiment
and add it to the hcl in the flask. start timing from the moment all of the
sodium thiosulphate is in the conical flask. you must keep the timer in your
hand whilst you are looking through the solutions, looking at the cross. you
must stop the timer as soon as you can when you can no longer see the black
cross; this will be to the sulphur being insoluble 9making the solution go
cloudy).
this time will then be reduced next to the amount of concentration, so that
analysis can be made from the result.
this reaction can be represented in the form of an equation, taken from the
key science chemistry textbook; ‘ this is the reaction that takes place…

sodium thiosulphate + hcl + water = sodium chloride + sulphur dioxide

+ water
each concentration level will be tested 3 times, but the conical flask and the
measuring cylinder must be washed out between each experiment because
residue may be left which could alter the next results, resulting in a unfair
test-making them possibly anomalous. the experiment is done again; this is
for a fair test. the same concentration should be used for each of the three
experiments. in all 15 experiments will have taken place at the end of the
test: 3 for each of the 5 concentrations. once this has been done a results
should be able to be formed.

sodium thiosulphate (ml) recorded times (secs 1dp) mean average (secs)

50

40

30

20

10

keeping the procedure safe

i have chosen hcl and sodium thiosulphate because they react quite fast but
are not violent, also there is a visible end point (when the black cross
disappears). as with all chemistry experiments, there will inevitably be
dangers but i have tried to reduce them to a safe point.

5. hcl is a corrosive acid, so wearing safety goggles to protest the eyes.

results