FHSC1114 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

FOUNDATION IN SCIENCE

Name & ID TRAVIS THEN KAI HONG (2102363)

Practical Group P ( 13 ) Mark(s)

Title
Date 1/8/2021 Objective(s)
Apparatus
Time 10:00 a.m. Materials
Procedure
Practical Lecturer Precilla a/p Rovat Results
Calculation
Graph
Experiment Number & 6: Reaction kinetics Discussion
Title: − Determination of Conclusion(s)
the activation References
energy of the Remarks
reaction between
oxalic acid and Total
potassium
permanganate
Title: Reaction kinetics - Determination of the activation energy of the reaction
between oxalic acid and potassium permanganate.

Objective: To determine the activation energy of the reaction between oxalic acid and
potassium permanganate.

Apparatus:
1. Measuring cylinder
2. Thermometer
3. Test tube
4. Water bath
5. Stopwatch
6. Glass rod

Materials:
1. 0.02M potassium permanganate
2. 1M sulphuric acid
3. 0.5M oxalic acid

Procedures:
1. 2 𝑐𝑚3 of 0.02M potassium permanganate and 4𝑐𝑚3 of 1M sulphuric acid is measured
in a test tube.
2. 2 𝑐𝑚3 of oxalic acid is measured and placed in another test tube.
3. Both test tubes are placed in a water bath of 35˚C.
4. The oxalic acid is poured into the acidified permanganate solution after both solutions
have attained 35˚C.
5. The time taken for the permanganate to decolorize is recorded.
6. The experiment is repeated at temperatures of 40˚C, 45˚C, 50˚C, 55˚C and 60˚C.
Results:

Treatment of Data:
Temperature, T (°C) 35 40 45 50 55 60
Temperature, T (K) 308.2 313.2 318.2 323.2 328.2 333.2
1 /T (𝐾 −1 ) 3.24 3.19 3.14 3.09 3.04 2.99
× 10−3 × 10−3 × 10−3 × 10−3 × 10−3 × 10−3
Reaction time ,t (sec) 150.6 120.0 91.0 59.5 43.2 38.0
ln 1 /t -5.0 -4.8 -4.5 -4.1 -3.8 -3.6

Graph:
Calculation:
Discussion:

This experiment is based on reaction kinetics. In a chemical reaction, many factors influence
the rate and occurrence of the reaction. Among them are the concentration of the reactants,
temperature in which the reactants are induced to, surface area of the reactant’s molecules
and the presence of catalysts. In the reaction, the temperature is manipulated to showcase
how it affects the rate of reaction. At higher temperatures, particles can collide more often
and with more energy, which makes the reaction take place more quickly (British
Broadcasting Corporation [BBC], 2021). It is observed that the reaction time: time taken to
decolorize the potassium permanganate; decreases as the temperature increases.

In the reaction, the acidified potassium permanganate oxidizes the oxalic acid; producing
carbon dioxide, whereas the oxalic acid reduces the acidified potassium permanganate;
producing manganese 2+ ions. Therefore, potassium permanganate is the oxidizing agent and
the oxalic acid is the reducing agent. This can be seen as:

Furthermore, potassium permanganate is a strong oxidizing agent in acid medium, but is a

weak oxidant in the neutral and alkaline medium. In strong acid (such as sulfuric acid),
potassium permanganate fades soon (Youcai, 2018).

In this experiment, sulphuric acid is used as a catalyst to provide a different, faster pathway
for the reaction which decolorizes the permanganate. The catalyst changes the mechanism of
the reaction to one with lower energy(ies) of activation, resulting in a faster rate of reaction
(Gerber, 2016). Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy required to initiate a
chemical reaction. The extra energy provided by the catalyst along and the sufficient
temperature causes the molecules of the reactants to collide in the correct orientation; causing
a chemical reaction. The reaction which takes place is endothermic, as the heat is provided
for the rate of reaction to increase. On the other hand, an exothermic reaction releases energy
by light or heat to its surroundings. This means that the potential energy for the products is
higher than the reactants in an endothermic reaction whereas an exothermic reaction is
opposite: reactants having a higher potential energy than the products.
Conclusion:

The activation energy required for the reaction to take place is 4.4768 × 10−4 J. The higher
the temperature of the potassium permanganate and oxalic acid, the higher the rate of reaction
between potassium permanganate and oxalic acid.

References
British Broadcasting Corporation [BBC]. (2021). Rates of Reaction.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z4n82hv/revision/1#:~:text=of%20a%20cataly
st,Temperature,reaction%20take%20place%20more%20quickly.&text=Both%20react
ions%20release%20a%20gas%20and%20both%20finish%20at%20the%20same%20v
olume%20.

General Chemistry I Labs (2016). Part F: Rates of Reaction and Activation Energy.
https://www.webassign.net/question_assets/sfsugenchem1l1/index.html

Youcai, Z. (2018). Pollution Control Technology for Leachate from Municipal Solid Waste.
Butterworth-Heinemann.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128158135/pollution-control-technology-
for-leachate-from-municipal-solid-waste#book-description