Speed Of Reaction

By the end of the topic, students should be able to:

Describe a suitable method for investigating the effect

of a given variable (e.g. concentration) on the speed of reaction. Interpret the results of a reaction rate experiment (e.g. as graphs or as a table of readings). Describe how concentration, pressure, particle si e and temperature affect the rate of a reaction. !xplain the above four effects in terms of collisions between the reacting particles. Describe the features of catalysts (including en ymes). !xplain the meaning of activation energy and how catalysed reactions have lower activation energies. Please tick in the box if you can do any of the above.

Done By Kartini Ishak

Speed of Reaction Different chemicals reactions ta"e place at different speeds. #able $ below gives some other examples of reactions that proceed at different speeds. Very fast Moderately fast Slow !xplosion of 'eactions of 'usting of iron petrol%air metals or in air. mixture carbonates 'eaction of with dilute &recipitation magnesium acids. reactions with cold water. (ermentation (conversion of fruit )uice into alcohol).
Table 1 Different reactions proceed at different speeds.

Measuring the speed of reaction #he speed of a reaction can be found by measuring these *uantities at regular time intervals: a) the mass of the reactant that remains b) the volume of the products that was produced #he method chosen depends upon the reaction being studied. It is usual to record the mass or total volume at regular intervals and plot a graph. #he readings go on the vertical axis and the time goes on the hori ontal axis. Measuring the speed of reaction from changes in mass #his method wor"s best for reactions which produce gases such as carbon dioxide. (or example, the speed of reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid can be studied this way. EXPERIMENT #o study the speed of reaction between calcium carbonate and dilute hydrochloric acid.

Done By Kartini Ishak

Figure 1 An experiment to study the speed of reaction by measuring the mass at different time intervals.

Procedure $. #he apparatus is set up as shown in (igure $. #he cotton wool in the mouth of the conical flas" is used to prevent acid spray i.e. to stop the acid from splashing out as the reaction ta"es place. +. #he mass of the system is recorded. #his includes the mass of the marble chips (calcium carbonate), dilute hydrochloric acid, conical flas", small test tube, string and cotton wool. ,. ,. #he conical flas" is sha"en to mix the marble chips and acid. #he stopwatch is immediately started. -. #he mass of the system is recorded at one%minute intervals. Result Plot a graph of mass of system against time from a sample set of results from E!periment "

Done By Kartini Ishak

Measuring speed of the reaction from changes in #olume #he reaction between a reactive metal and a dilute acid is considered fast. (or example, magnesium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid according to the e*uation: .agnesium / dilute hydrochloric acid magnesium chloride/ hydrogen 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000 1s the reaction proceeds, the total volume of hydrogen gas produced increases. #he speed of the reaction can therefore be determined by collecting and measuring the volume of hydrogen produced at regular time intervals. EXPERIMENT $ #o study the speed of reaction between dilute hydrochloric acid and magnesium.

Figure 2 An experiment to study the speed of reaction by measuring the volume of gas evolved.

Procedure $. #he apparatus is set up as shown in (igure +. #he layer of oxide on the magnesium ribbon is removed using a piece of sandpaper. #his ensures that magnesium reacts with the dilute hydrochloric acid. #he magnesium ribbon is then put in a small test tube. +. #he conical flas" is sha"en to mix the magnesium ribbon and acid. #he stopwatch is started at the same time.

Done By Kartini Ishak

,. #he volume of hydrogen collected in the gas syringe is recorded every half%minute. Result Plot a graph of the #olume of hydrogen produced against time from a sample set of results from E!periment $"

%ow can we estimate the change of speed of reaction from a graph& % #he shape of the graph tells us whether the speed of reaction changes or remains the same as time passes. % #he 000000000 the gradient, the 0000000000 the speed of the reaction. 2n the two graphs below, label which reaction is faster and slower.

Please proceed to do exercise from: WORKSHEET 1

'ollision theory of Reaction

Done By Kartini Ishak

#he theory that we use to explain how different variables change the rate of reaction is called the collision theory. (or a reaction to ta"e place, the particles of the substances that are reacting have to collide. If they collide, with enough energy then they will react. #he minimum amount of "inetic (movement) energy that two particles need if they are going to react when they collide is called the acti#ation energy.

#here are therefore two main ways of increasing the rate of a reaction: $) increase the num(er of collisions +) increase the amount of mo#ement )*inetic+ energy so that more collisions lead to a reaction

Done By Kartini Ishak

, thought e!periment on collision theory 1 group of students are ta"en into the school hall and blindfolded. #hey are as"ed to move around the hall. If two students crash into each other and (oth students fall over, then they stay lying on the ground % they have 3reacted3. %ow can we increase the rate at which students fall down& #here are two obvious choices: + &ut more students into the hall. #his will lead to more collisions between students. $+ 1s" the students in the hall to run more -uic*ly. #his will also lead to more collisions and to a greater chance of a collision leading to the students falling over. 4e will use this 3thought experiment3 to try and explain rates of reaction. .actors affecting the speed of reaction 5ou will be expected to remember the factors that affect the speed of reactions, and to plot or interpret graphs from rate experiments. (actors affecting the speed of reactions are: 6oncentration of solution &ressure &article si e of solids #emperature 6atalyst + 'oncentration of solution

Done By Kartini Ishak

7oo"ing bac" to the 8students in the 9all: thought experiment, we are putting more students into the 9all. $+ Pressure

7oo"ing bac" to the 8students in the 9all: thought experiment, we are putting the students into a smaller 9all. /+ Particle si0e of solids

1+ Temperature If the temperature is increased, the rate increases because not all particles react when they collide. #hey must have a certain minimum energy to react when they collide. 1t a higher temperature, the particles have more energy so they react more often when they collide.

Done By Kartini Ishak

2+ 'atalyst If a catalyst is added, the rate increases because catalysts allow the reaction to go by a different route. #he minimum energy needed for a reaction when particles collide is less, so more reactions ta"e place.

The graph above summarises the differences in the rate of reaction at different temperatures, concentrations and size of pieces. The steeper the line, the greater the rate of reaction. Reactions are usually fastest at the beginning when the concentration of reactants is greatest. When the line becomes horizontal the reaction has stopped.
Please proceed to do exercise from: WORKSHEET 2

'atalysts 4hat is a catalyst; 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000

9 Done By Kartini Ishak

 4hat are the characteristics of a catalyst; 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000 4hat are the factors affecting the speed of catalysed reactions; #he speed of catalysed reactions is affected by changes in conditions, )ust li"e reactions without catalysts. #he speed of a catalysed reaction is increased by: 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000 9ow does a catalyst wor"; 6atalysts provide an alternative route for the reaction. In the catalysed route, 000000 energy is needed to brea" bonds and so the activation energy is 00000000. 1s a result, bond brea"ing ta"es place more easily and more often when particles collide. #his is why catalysed reactions are faster. #he effect of catalysts on activation energies can be shown by energy profile diagrams such as shown in (igure ,.

10

Done By Kartini Ishak

Figure 3 the energy profile diagrams showing the effect of a catalyst on activation energy.

1 simple analogy of how catalysts wor" is a group of cyclists riding up and over a hill. #he hill route is the normal one, re*uiring a lot of energy. #he short cut through the tunnel is li"e the catalysed route. It re*uires less energy and the cyclists, li"e the reaction, go faster. ((igure -)

Figure

showing how catalyst wor! by ta!ing an alternate pathway.

3hat are the common catalysts for some industrial processes& In many industrial processes, catalysts are used to speed up various reactions. Below are some examples: a) Iron% b) <anadium% c) &latinum = d) 1luminium oxide or silicon (I<) oxide = En0ymes !n ymes are substances that catalyse the chemical reactions in plants and animals. #hey are often called biological catalysts.

11

Done By Kartini Ishak

Figure " showing how an en#yme wor!s.

3hat are the properties of en0ymes& 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444 3hat are the uses of en0ymes in industry& 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 444444444444444
Please proceed to do exercise from: WORKSHEET 3 WORKSHEET 4

12

Done By Kartini Ishak