Title: Rates of Reaction 1

Aim: To determine the effect of the concentration of sodium thiosulphate on

the rate of reaction by measuring the time required for the formation of
a precipitate.
Apparatus: A measuring cylinder, a sheet of paper, a marker (or pen) and a timer
Reagents: 0.05M Sodium thiosulphate solution, 1M hydrochloric acid solution and
water

Method: (a) Draw a large “X” on a sheet of paper using a marker

(b) Place a large beaker over the “X”
(c) Place 20cm3 of sodium thiosulphate solution in the beaker.
(d) Add 5 cm3 of hydrochloric acid to the beaker and start the timer.
(e) When the “X” on the paper can no longer be seen from above the
beaker, stop the timer.
(f) Rinse the beaker and repeat the experiment using the volumes of
reagents given in Table 1 below.

Table 1: THE EFFECT OF THE CONCENTRATION OF SODIUM THIOSULPHATE ON THE

REACTION RATE

Volume of Volume of Volume of Time taken for Rate (1/t)/s-1

Na2S2O3/cm3 water/cm3 HCl/cm3 disappearance of
“X”(t)/ s
20 0 5

18 2 5

16 4 5

14 6 5

12 8 5

10 10 5

Observations: Record relevant observations

Treatment of results: (a) Plot the following graphs:

(i) Volume of Na2S2O3 vs time
(ii) Volume of Na2S2O3 vs Reaction rate
Discussion questions: (a) Define the term “reaction rate”.
(b) With the aid of an equation, explain why the “X” drawn on the
paper was obscured when sodium thiosulphate was combined
 with hydrochloric acid.
(c) Account for the shape of the graphs drawn.

Sources of error: State at least one factor which could lead to inaccurate results (Do not
write factors arising from obvious carelessness, eg, failure to properly
label flasks, pipetting the wrong solution, etc.)

Precautions: State precautions which were observed during the experiment

Conclusion: A brief statement related to your aim. (Was your aim met? If so, what
was the result?)