Name: Batch :

RATES OF REACTION
By SYED ARHAM AHSAN

Syed Arham Ahsan, IGCSE & IAL Chemistry

Contact: 01625-109261
 RATES OF REACTION

As a reaction proceeds, the amount of reactants decreases, as they are converted to products.
The rate of a reaction is the change in concentration of reactants or products per unit time.
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛/ 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠/𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

𝐴+𝐵 ⇋𝐶+𝐷
[𝐵] [𝐶]
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 = − or 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

factors affecting the rate of reaction :

1) Temperature (all types of reactions are affected)

2) Concentration (only fluids)

3) Pressure (affects gaseous reactions)

4) Surface Area (solids only)

5) Catalyst (all types of reactions are affected)

Note : 1) When we are investigating the effect of a factor on the rate of reaction, all other
variables must be kept constant.

2) If volume is changed without changing the amount of reactants, concentration will change
and so will the rate of reaction.

3) For a reaction to occur, the reactant particles must possess sufficient energy and collide
with proper orientation.

■ Explanation of the effect of following factors on rate according to particle collision theory:

1) Temperature – When temperature is increased, the average kinetic energy of the reactant
particles increase and they undergo greater number of successful collisions per unit time as
more particles have energy equal to or greater than the activation energy. Thus, rate of
reaction increases.

SYED ARHAM AHSAN, IGCSE AND IAL CHEMISTRY INSTRUCTOR

2) Concentration – When concentration is increased, there are greater number of reactant
particles per unit volume and there will be greater number of successful collisions per unit
time. Thus, rate of reaction increases.

3) Pressure – When pressure is increased, the reactant particles come closer together and
there will be greater number of successful collisions per unit time. Thus, rate of reaction
increases.

4) Surface Area – When the surface area of a solid increases, probability of collision
increases. There will be greater number of successful collisions per unit time and thus rate of
reaction increases.

Note : The smaller the particle size, the greater will be the surface area.

5) Catalyst – Catalysts provide an alternative route of lower activation energy, so greater

number of reactant particles can take part in successful collisions with the same energy.
Thus, rate of reaction increases.

Graphs to measure rate of reaction

To measure the rate of reaction, we need observable physical changes in the reaction
mixture. We record the changes at regular intervals of time and plot the points on a table or
graphically.

SYED ARHAM AHSAN, IGCSE AND IAL CHEMISTRY INSTRUCTOR

The methods include measuring :

1) Change in mass during the reaction

2) Changes in temperature

3) Formation of a precipitate

4) Changes in concentration

5) Volume of gas produced with time

When the results are plotted graphically, gradient of the graph at any particular point
represents the rate of reaction of that moment (instantaneous rate). Initially, gradient is the
maximum which means rate is maximum. As the reaction proceeds, the reactatnt particles
are used up. So there will be fewer successful collisions per unit time and rate of reaction
decreases.

The gradient decreases when the rate of reaction decreases. When the gradient becomes
horizontal, it indicates that the reaction is complete.

■ An investigation to measure the rate of reaction between calcium carbonate and dilute HCl

1) Use a measuring cylinder to measure 25cm3 of dilute HCl acid of concentration 2

mol/dm3.

2) Add 5g of large marble chips of CaCO3 to a conical flask. Marble chips is in excess so
that all the acid is used up.

3) Place everything on a balance and reset it to zero.

4) Add the acid to the marble chips and record the change in mass in every 30s.

SYED ARHAM AHSAN, IGCSE AND IAL CHEMISTRY INSTRUCTOR

The results are plotted graphically :

Note : The cotton wool is used to allow the CO2 to escape during the reaction but prevents
the reactants/acid from spilling out.

■ Precautions : 1) Wear safety goggles.

2) Wear laboratory gloves to avoid skin contact with acid.

Alternative method – We can also follow the rate of reaction by measuring the volume of
CO2 gas produced.

SYED ARHAM AHSAN, IGCSE AND IAL CHEMISTRY INSTRUCTOR

We can investigate the affects of changing conditions by using different concentrations,
surface area, temperature and measure the rate of reaction. However, when one factor is
being investigated, all other variables must be kept constant.

Note : When rate is being investigated against concentration, total volume of acid and
water must be kept constant.

■ Effect of varying conditions on graphical data :

1) Temperature

When temperature is increased, gradient of the graph is steeper because rate of reaction
increases. Also, the graph becomes horizontal at a lesser time i.e. reaction completes earlier.

Q: Rate of reaction

Temp. (℃)

Describe the relationship shown by the graph.

Ans : Rate of reaction is proportional to temperature. When temperature increases, rate of

reaction also increases and vice versa.

SYED ARHAM AHSAN, IGCSE AND IAL CHEMISTRY INSTRUCTOR

Q: 2𝐻2 𝑂2 → 2𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝑂2

Add lines to the graph to show how the graph would vary if the reaction was carried out at :

i) 15℃ and ii) 40℃

2) Pressure

When pressure is increased, gradient of the graph is steeper because the rate of reaction
increases. Also, the graph becomes horizontal at a smaller time, because reaction completes
earlier.

Q: Rate of reaction

Pressure

Describe the relationship shown by the graph.

SYED ARHAM AHSAN, IGCSE AND IAL CHEMISTRY INSTRUCTOR

Ans :

3) Concentration

When the concentration is varied, rate of reaction varies. But in addition if the volume is keot
constant, then the number of moles will be different. So, along with rate, the amount of
products produced will also change.

i) If concentration is doubled, volume of gas produced will be twice.

ii) If concentration is 4 times, volume of gas produced will also be 4 times.

iii) If concentration is halved, volume of gas produced will also be halved.

Note : The above statements are ONLY TRUE if volume is kept constant.

Q: A student carried out an experiment with 20cm3 of 2 mol/dm3 HCl solution. Keeping the
volume constant, add lines to show how the graph would vary, if the following
concentrations were used.

) 4 mol/dm3 ii) 8 mol/dm3 iii) 1 mol/dm3 iv) 0.5 mol/dm3

SYED ARHAM AHSAN, IGCSE AND IAL CHEMISTRY INSTRUCTOR

Note : i) Volume of carbon dioxide produced depends on no. of moles. If volume is
constant, then concentration is proportional to volume of CO2 produced.

Factor = New concentration ÷ Old concentration

ii) If volume of reactant is not constant, then we will find molar ratio. Molar ratio variation is
proportional to the volume of gas produced.

Factor = New no. of moles ÷ Old no. of moles

Q: Given that volume is constant, add lines to show how the graph would vary if the
following concentrations were used :

i) 10 mol/dm3 ii) 1.25 mol/dm3 iii) 0.625 mol/dm3

SYED ARHAM AHSAN, IGCSE AND IAL CHEMISTRY INSTRUCTOR

■ An investigation to determine the rate between the reaction of sodium thiosulphate
(Na2S2O3) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) :

1
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑟
1
Rate ∝
𝑡

A cross is marked on a piece of paper. A flask containing Na2S2O3 is placed on top of the
paper and HCl acid is added very quickly and the stopwatch is turned on simultaneously. The
yellow precipitate of sulfur is formed which stays suspended in the liquid. With time, as
more and more sulfur is formed, the cross becomes more difficult to see through. Time taken
for the cross to disappear is measured. The faster the reaction, the less time will be needed
for the cross to disappear.

SYED ARHAM AHSAN, IGCSE AND IAL CHEMISTRY INSTRUCTOR

When recording time using a stopwatch, there is error due to reaction time. At high
temperatures, reaction is faster so percentage error in time calculation is greater. Also, heat is
lost to the surroundings at a greater rate so the results are less accurate.

If effect of concentration of HCl is to be measured, volume of thiosulphate solution and

temperature must be constant. , volume of thiosulphate solution and temperature must be
constant. Different volumes of acid and water (different concentrations) must be used and the
results must be plotted graphically.

■ Investigation the effect of different solids on the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen

peroxide :

Hydrogen peroxide is a colourless liquid with the formula H2O2 . It is a very reactive
oxidizing agent and decomposes to form water and oxygen.

2𝐻2 𝑂2(𝑙) → 2𝐻2 𝑂(𝑙) + 𝑂2(𝑔)

Procedure :

1) Measure 100cm3 of 2mol/dm3 hydrogen peroxide and transfer to a conical flask.

2) Weigh 0.2g of manganese (IV) oxide on a balance and add the hydrogen peroxide.

3) Record the volume of oxygen gas produced every 20s and plot a graph of volume of
oxygen against time.

4) Repeat the reaction with 0.2g of lead (IV) oxide and copper (II) oxide keeping all other
variables constant.

SYED ARHAM AHSAN, IGCSE AND IAL CHEMISTRY INSTRUCTOR

The results show that MnO2 is a very effective catalyst for the decomposition of H2O2.

In contrast, lead (IV) oxide is less effective, so the rate is much slower, and copper (II) oxide
does not act as a catalyst at all.

Q: How would you determine that MnO2 acts as a catalyst ? (3 marks)

Ans : i) Measure the initial mass of MnO2 before the reaction.

ii) After the reaction is complete, filter the solid MnO2 and dry it. Reweigh the solid MnO2.

iii) If the mass remains same before and after the reaction, it is a catalyst.

__________X___________

SYED ARHAM AHSAN, IGCSE AND IAL CHEMISTRY INSTRUCTOR