Iodine Clock Experiment

CHEM 251
Week of November 29th, 2010
Alexis Patanarut

Purpose
1. To study the effects of temperature and
catalysts on the rate of reaction
2. To calculate reaction order coefficients
and the rate constant k using the method
of initial rates

Experiments 1, 2 and 3 will be used to

final the 3 k values, then the average k value
Experiment 4 will be used to show you how
a catalyst affects the reaction rate
Experiment 5 will be used to show you how
temperature affects the reaction rate

Background
The name 'iodine clock' is derived from
the fact that, by carefully adjusting the
reactants involved in the reaction, the
iodine clock reaction can come to
completion with the accuracy of a clock
However, this would require glassware of
high precision and meticulous attention to
detail
No worries; we won't be putting you through
this

Background, cont
For today, you will be using the iodine
clock reaction to find the reaction order
coefficients and rate constant
Last time, you determined the reaction
order and rate constant of the crystal violet
dye reaction by graphical means
This week, you will be determining those
values quantitatively; you will also be
seeing how temperature and catalysts
affect the reaction rate

Background, cont
(I) S2O8 + 2I --> 2SO4 + I2
(II) I2 + 2S2O3 --> 2I + S4O6
The actual iodine clock reaction between the
iodine and the persulfate is VERY fast, so much
so that you will most likely miss the endpoint
The reaction is therefore slowed down with the
addition of thiosulfate
The thiosulfate will consume all of the iodine
produced in the persulfate reaction
Once all of the thiosulfate is used up, the excess
iodine forming will react with the starch in the
solution to produce the blue color indicative of the
endpoint
This is how to endpoint is made measurable by time

The mathematics finding

[S2O8] and [I]
Remember that you are making
dilutions of both compounds, since
you are combinding reagents
together into a larger volume (10 mL
total)
Use C1V1 = C2V2 to find the final
concentration (C2) of [S2O8] and [1]

The mathematics finding the

rate of reaction
You will use the mathematical rate expression
for this
(1) Rate = -[S2O8]/time
Where [S2O8] = 1/2[S2O3] <-- the thiosulfate
reagent
And [S2O3] = initial [S2O3] concentration
Therefore, you can find [S2O8] by taking the
initial concentration of [S2O3] and dividing it in
half.
Take this value and divide it by the amount of time
required to see the blue reaction endpoint, and you
can find the reaction rate

The mathematics finding x

and y
Use the method of initial rates
Example
Trial

[A] (mol/L)

[B] (mol/L)

Rate
(M/sec)

0.1

0.1

1.0 x 10^-4

0.1

0.2

1.0 x 10^-4

0.3

0.1

3.0 x 10^-4

The mathematics finding x

and y, cont
rate 2/rate 1 = {k[0.1]x[0.2]y)/(k[0.1]x[0.1]y)
(1 x 10^-4)/(1 x 10^-4) = k(0.2/0.1)y
1 = k(0.2/0.1)y
because they are the
y = log(1)/log(2)
same value, A or 0.1
cancels out from the
y=0
equation

rate 3/rate 1 = {k[0.3]x[0.1]y)/(k[0.1]x[0.1]y)

(3 x 10^-4)/(1 x 10^-4) = k(0.3/0.1)x
3 = k(0.3/0.1)x
because they are the
x = log(3)/log(3)
same value, B or 0.1
cancels out from the
x=1
equation

The mathematics finding the

rate constant k
Once x and y are found, the rate constant k
can be found by merely plugging in the
right numbers and doing a straight
calculation
Once the k for each experiment is found
(for experiments 1, 2 and 3), take the
average of the three k values to find the
average k.
Use this average k value as a means of
comparison for the k value you calculate
for experiments 4 and 5

The experiment
1. For experiments #1, 2 and 3, combine the amounts of
the first five reagents in a large test tube. Only add
the sixth reagent (the potassium persulfate) when you
are ready to begin timing the reaction to the nearest
second. Time how long it takes for you to see blue
appear in the solution.
2. For experiment #4, add the first five reagents using
the same amounts as experiment #1. However, this
time, you will also add ONE drop from the "mystery
reagent" bottle. Then add the persulfate reagent as
before and record the time you see the blue color.
3. For experiment #5, add the first five reagents using
the same amounts as experiment #1. In addition, put
the required amount of persulfate solution into a small
test tube. Put both test tubes into a water bath for at
least 30 seconds, then take the temperature of the
five-reagent mixture. Add the persulfate to the fivereagent mixture and see how long it takes for the blue
to appear. Keep an eye on it, or you may miss this.

The experiment - amounts

Experim
ent

0.20 M
NaI
(mL)

0.20 M
NaCl
(mL)

0.010 M 2%
Na2S2O starch
3
(mL)

2.0

2.0

2.0

20 drops 2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

20 drops 0.0

4.0

4.0

0.0

2.0

20 drops 2.0

2.0

4
2.0
+ 1 drop
of
mystery
reagent

2.0

2.0

20 drops 2.0

2.0

5
Heat
mixtures
for 30
sec

2.0

2.0

20 drops 2.0

2.0

2.0

0.20 M
K2SO4
(mL)

0.20 M
K2S2O8
(mL)

Experimental notes
Be sure to rinse your dropper with water between
adding individual reagents to avoid contamination
of your reagent
Have about 20 mL of each reagent in LABELED
beakers at your lab bench. This will prevent you
from having to run back and forth constantly to get
chemicals
After adding the persulfate, stopper the test tube
and agitate the solution for 10 seconds to ensure
mixing
The blue color will appear suddenly. You are to
record the exact length of time it took for the blue
to appear for each trial

In your lab notebook

Calculate the following values:
1. [S2O8] and [I]
2. Reaction rate
3. Rate constant k
Answer the following questions:
1. What do you think the mystery reagent is? How did
adding it affect your reaction rate?
2. What is the effect of temperature on the reaction
rate?
3. What was the order of the reaction?
4. Discuss in 2-3 sentences factors that could have
contributed to errors in your experiment.