Hydrogen Peroxide Iodine Clock

Aims
The aims of this investigation are:

1. To find the rate equation of the reaction of hydrogen peroxide and
iodide ions. This will be achieved by using an iodine clock method
and colorimetric analysis.
2. Draw a graph of rate against concentration for each reactant
(Hydrogen peroxide, potassium iodide and H+ ions).
3. Finding the order for each reactant
4. Finding the rate-determining step.
5. Proposing a mechanism for the reaction.
6. Using Arrhenius equation to find the activation enthalpy.
Backgroun
The basic reaction for this can be illustrated with the following
equation:
3I-(aq) + H2O2(aq) + 2H+(aq) I3-(aq) + 2H2O(aq) (1)1
The half equations for this reaction can be written as follows:
3I- I3- + 2eH2O2 + 2H+ + 2e- 2H2O
This reaction demonstrates that iodide ions are oxidised by hydrogen
peroxide to tri-iodide ions.
This is stage one of a sequence of reactions, which continues below:
I3-(aq) + 2S2O32-(aq) 3I-(aq) + S4O6-(aq) (2) 2
This shows that the tri-iodide ions are reduced back to iodide ions by
the thiosulphate ions. Thus, the iodine that is formed in reaction (1) is
immediately transformed into iodide ion and we do not see the blueblack colour of the starch-iodide complex until all of the thiosulphate
ion has reacted with I 2(aq) and is exhausted.
I3- (aq) + starch Starch-I5- complex + I-(aq) 3
Once the thiosulphate ion has been exhausted, the tri-iodide ion can
react with the starch, forming the Starch-I5- complex, giving the blue1
http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/kinetics/faq/mechanism-h2o2-iodide.shtml
3
2
Planning
black colour. When this occurs, we will then know the amount of
hydrogen peroxide that has reacted and the time it took to react.
These equations will, thus, enable the slow step (rate-determining
step) to be determined, which is another aim of this experiment.
Though details of the starch and iodine reaction are not yet fully
known, it is thought that iodine fits inside the coils of amylose. The
transfer of charge between the iodine and the starch and the spacing
between the energy levels in the complex formed corresponds to the
absorption spectrum, and so, the complementary colour, a blue-black
solution, is observed. 4
Factors that affect the rates of

reaction5,6
There are many factors that affect the rate of a reaction. These
include surface area, concentration difference, presence of a catalyst,
pressure and temperature.
Affect of surface area on the rate of reaction

Surface area can also affect the rate of reaction. A reaction will
happen more quicker if the solid is finely divided into a powder, rather
than a lump of the same mass. This is because a reaction can only
occur if the particles taking part in the reaction collide. A larger
surface area provides a higher likelihood of collisions (and thus, a
reaction) to take place. One example is called the Bread and Butter
Theory. 7 If you take a loaf of bread and cut it into slices it, you have
more surfaces to spread butter onto. Taking a more practical example,
Reactant 1
Reactant 2
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starch
www.s-cool.co.uk
6
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/basicrates/orders.html, Jim Clark, 2002
7
www.purchon.com/chemistry/rates.htm
5
Planning
In the above example, reactant 1 can get to the outer atoms of

reactant 2, but not the central atoms. This has a small surface area.
However, if the surface area is increased,
Reactant 1 can get to all the atoms of reactant 2.

Increasing the number of collisions per second increases the rate of
reaction.
Affect of concentration on the rate of reaction

For many reactions, including this one, increasing the concentration
of the reactants increases the rate of the reaction. This is because, for
a reaction to occur, a collision must take place first. Increasing the
concentration of the reactants will increase the frequency of the
collisions between two reactants, as there are a higher number of
reactants to collide with. From a probabilistic point of view, if there
are a higher number of reactants (i.e. a higher concentration), the
chance of a collision, and therefore, a reaction to take place,
increases. For example, if we have the following situation:
supposing fixed positions and an equal probability of being hit, the

probability of a green particle hitting a red particle is 1/3. If we
increase the number of red particles to 2, the probability now of a
green particle hitting a red particle is , which is thus, an increase by
1/6.
Although the temperature is being kept constant, however, the kinetic
theory is applicable. This is because the molecules involved in the
reaction have a range of energy levels. When colliding molecules have
sufficient energy, a reaction takes place. If they do not, then a reaction
cannot take place. This is because the temperature that is being
measured is only the average temperature (and thus, kinetic energy,
because T Ek) of the substance. It is impossible for the kinetic
energy of every atom in the substance to be the same, and so, the
temperature is an average. The reason for this is that each molecule
Planning
has a certain amount of kinetic energy and once it collides (perfectly

elastically) with another molecule, it transfers its kinetic energy to the
molecule it collided with, giving it a higher kinetic energy than the
initial molecule. In most cases, when you increase the concentration,
the rate of reaction also increases. In certain multi-step reactions,
however, the reaction happens in a series of small steps. Suppose the
reaction happens as so:
The speed at which A splits into X and Y dictates the rate of the
reaction. This is also known as the rate-determining step. If you
increase the concentration of A, the chances of the first step
happening also increase, due to the increase in the number of
molecules of A. Increasing the concentration of B undoubtedly speeds
up the second step, but makes little difference to the overall rate.
Affect of the presence of a catalyst on the rate

of reaction
A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a reaction by providing an
alternative pathway with a lower activation enthalpy, and is
chemically unchanged at the end of a reaction. Reactions can only
take place if the two reactants collide with enough energy to initiate
the reaction (i.e., to begin breaking the bonds). Majority of the
molecules do not have enough energy, and simply bounce apart after
collisions.
One way of speeding up a reaction is to provide an alternative
pathway for the reaction to occur with a lower activation energy. In
other words, the activation energy on the Maxwell-Boltzmann
Distribution graph should look like this:
Planning
Now all these particles have

enough energy to react as well
A catalyst does this, and this can be shown on an enthalpy profile
diagram:
Uncatalysed activation
enthalpy
Diagram obtained from

http://cwx.prenhall.com/bo
okbind/pubbooks/hillchem
3/medialib/media_portfoli
o/13.html
Catalysed activation
enthalpy
A catalyst works in two ways. One of them is adsorption, and this is

where the molecules are attached to the surface of the catalyst due to
the weak interactions (typically Van Der Waals forces) between the
surface and the reactants. Initially, the bonds in the reactants weaken
Planning
and break. Bonds are then formed between the reactants, forming the
products, and they then diffuse away from the surface of the catalyst.
Another way is the formation of the intermediate compounds, and
many catalysts, including all enzymes, work by forming intermediates.
The reactants involved in the reaction combine with the catalyst
making an intermediate compound, but this is very unstable. When
this intermediate breaks down, it releases the new compound and the
original catalyst.
Affect of the pressure on the rate of reaction

Increasing the pressure on a reaction involving gases increases the
rate of reaction. This does not happen with reactions involving solids
or liquids. Increasing the pressure works in the same way as
increasing the concentration; if the pressure of a given mass is
increased, it is just squashed into a smaller volume. Having the same
number of particles in a smaller volume works in the same way as
increasing the concentration. The ideal gas equation illustrates this
(As liquids act similarly to gases, the ideal gas equation can give a fair
demonstration of how liquids would act):
pV = nRT
Where p = pressure,
V = volume
n = number of moles
R = molar gas constant
T = Temperature (in Kelvin)
This can be re-arranged to read:
p = n/v x RT
n/v is the number of moles divided by the volume, which is the
concentration.
RT is constant at a constant temperature. Because this is just a
constant, it can be shown that
p = k(n/v)
or p (n/v)
(the pressure is proportional to the concentration). Thus, if you double
one, the other will also be doubled.
Whether you are considering a reaction where collisions between two
different particles or two of the same particles occur, the same law
applies: for any reaction to occur, collisions must happen first. This is
true when both particles or one of the two sets of particles are in the
Planning
gaseous state. If the pressure is higher, the chance for collisions to

occur also increases.
If the reaction involves a particle splitting, the reacting particles must
have enough energy to react. Supposing that one in a hundred
particles have enough energy to react - if you had two hundred
particles, two of them would react, and so forth, so if you double the
pressure, the rate of reaction also doubles.
Low pressure
High pressure
Diagram referenced to
www.chemguide.co.uk
The main variable to be tested in this experiment will be the
concentration of hydrogen peroxide and the concentration of iodide
ions. These will be varied in two separate experiments, thus enabling
a fair test to be attained. If both variables are altered at once in an
experiment, it would be very difficult to say which variable has had
more effect on the rate of reaction. Therefore, in the first investigation
the concentration of hydrogen peroxide will be varied, keeping all
other variables constant and in the second investigation the
concentration of iodide ions will be altered, keeping all the other
variables constant. The results of this investigation will enable me to
draw a rate graph for the two investigations. This will later enable me
to combine these two rates to form an overall rate equation.
The iodine clock reaction is a chemical reaction in which two
colourless solutions are mixed and react together to form a red/brown
colour. However, initially, the iodine will be of a small concentration,
and will appear very light in colour, and therefore, the production of
iodine will be very hard to detect. This is, thus, enhanced by the
addition of starch, which instantaneously turns dark blue/black with
the formation of iodine ions, giving a more accurate time for the
production of iodine ions.
A colorimeter is an instrument that measures the concentration of a
substance by comparing its colour with the standard (i.e. distilled
water). In this experiment, the complementary colour to the orange of
Planning
iodine is blue-green, so a blue-green filter (470 nm) will be used in

method two on the colorimeter.
This reaction demonstrates that reaction rates depend on the
concentrations of the reagents involved in the overall reaction.
The time required to reach this point depends on the rates of the first
two reactions, and consequently on the concentrations of all the
reactants. Anything that accelerates the first reaction (e.g., iron
catalysis or temperature) will shorten the time. Thus, increasing the
concentration of iodide, hydrogen peroxide, or acid (it neutralises the
dy
dx
hydroxide ion) will accelerate the reaction. On the other hand,
increasing the thiosulphate concentration will have the opposite
effect; it will take longer for the blue colour to appear. The rate of
reaction is a measure of how fast the reaction occurs. The graph that
can be drawn from the results is time against volume (concentration)
of the variable solution. A rate of reaction can then be obtained.
Average rates are not very good comparisons, because the reaction
may finish before the designated time interval. The fairest way to
measure the rate is at the start, as a fair test is attained. Thus, in this
experiment, the initial rate of the reaction will be measured. This is to
allow the reaction to progress to about 10-15%, which enables a fair
comparison of the reactions to take place. To measure the initial rate,
a number of readings will take place within a fairly short space of
time. Drawing a tangent to the curve where it crosses the origin will
help to measure the initial rate of the reaction. This is indicated
below:
dy/dx then gives the gradient of the curve at that particular point, or
the initial rate.
Planning
All the initial rates will be put onto a graph and the initial rate will be
plotted against the concentration. This will give the order of rate for
one reactant. When the rate orders for all the reactants are found, a
rate equation can be formed.
It will generally look like this:
Rate = k.[H2O2]a[I-]b[H+]c
The quantities in brackets are concentrations in moles of each
reactant and k is the rate constant for the reaction. This stays the
same throughout the experiment, no matter what the concentration of
the reactants are. This rate constant is temperature dependent. The
quantities a, b, and c are called the reaction order for H2O2, I- and H+;
they will be determined in the experiment.
To accomplish this, two principles from kinetic studies will be applied.
The first principle is to hold two of the reactants constant while
varying only one component. If the concentrations of I- and H+ are
held constant we may write the rate as:
Rate = d[I-]/dt = k.[H2O2]a = [S2O32-]/2t
Where:
t = time to reach an observable blue colour
[I-]b and [H+]c have been absorbed into the constant k.
If rate = k.[H2O2]a,
Ln(Rate) = ln(k) + ln([H2O2])a
= Ln(Rate) = ln(k) + a.ln([H2O2]).
By plotting the ln(Rate) versus ln([H2O2]), a linear relationship will be
formed:
Comparing this with y = mx + c enables us to identify that the result
will be a graph with a gradient of a, and a y-intercept of ln(k). This
enables us to find a. Thus, a, b and c can all be found by looking at
their reactions.
The second principle is called The Method of Initial Rates. In this
experiment, the concentration of thiosulphate is much smaller than
the other reactants. The end point colour appears after all of the
thiosulphate is used up, allowing I3- to react with the starch to form
the blue complex (reactions 2 and 3). The amounts of reactants used
up in causing this to take place are small, so the reactant
concentrations remain essentially constant throughout the time of
reaction. Also, the amount of reactants used up at the time of the
Planning
endpoint is a constant because the amount (moles) of thiosulphate

present is constant at the beginning of all the reactions.
Affect of temperature on the rate of reaction

The collision theory states that when two chemicals react, their
molecules must have sufficient energy during the collisions for a
reaction to take place. The two molecules will only react with each
other if there is enough activation energy for the reaction to begin.
Activation energy is required to initiate the breaking of the bonds in
the molecules. This requires energy, and so, it follows that, if there is
not enough energy to break the bonds, no new bonds will be able to
form, and thus, no reactions take place. If the two molecules collide
with each other with less than the required activation energy, they
will just bounce apart elastically. By heating the mixture, the amount
of kinetic energy being given to the molecules is raised. The kinetic
theory then states that increasing the kinetic (heat) energy of a
molecule means that the molecules begin to move faster. The faster
they move, the more chance there is of a collision, and thus, a
reaction to take place.
Due to the importance of activation energy in reactions, it is very
useful to know which proportions of the particles present have enough
energy to react. In any system, the particles will have a wide range of
energies. For gases, the Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution can
represent this, which is basically a plot of the number of particles
against energy.
Obtained from
www.webchem.net
The area under the graph represents the number of molecules

present. Some interesting points to note from this distribution curve
Planning 10
are that the kinetic energy can never be zero, there are only a few
molecules with a high energy, and there is no defined maximum
energy value (and so, it can theoretically continue to infinity).8
If we take the example of a single particle inside a box,9
w
l
c
u
v
If we imagine that the particle moves from one wall to the other, and
then rebounds back (perfectly elastically), the momentum of the
particle intially moving from the right to the left would be p = mu
Using vector quantities, once the particle bounces off the wall and
heads in the opposite direction, the momentum is p = - mu
The change in momentum is therefore, p = mu - (-mu) = 2mu
Speed = distance/time taken
= 2l/u
Thus, the rate of change of momentum = 2mu/(2l/u) = mu2/l
Newton's second law of motion states that force = rate of change of
l
momentum, and so
the force on particle =
(u12 + u22 + + uN2)
Since pressure = force per unit area, we can say that pressure, p,
exterted on a wall of area l2 is given by:
l
p=
3
(u12 + u22 + + uN2)
If <u2> represents the mean value of the squares of all the velocities,
<u2> = (u12 + u22 + + uN2)/N
8
9
Chemistry: AS level and A level (International), Ratcliffe, Eccles, Raffan, Nicholson and Johnson, 2004
Oxford: Succes at AQA Physics B A2, Ken Price and Gerard Kelly, 2001
Planning 11
and
N<u2> = u12 + u22 + + uN2
Therefore, p = Nm<u2>/l3
For any molecule, pythagoras theorem can be applied to give:
c2 = u2 + v2 + w2
This will also be true for all the mean square values,
<c2> = <u2> + <v2> + <w2>
However, since N is large and the particles move randomly, it follows
that the mean values for u2, v2 and w2 are equal.
Thus, <c2> = 3<u2>
Therefore, <c2>/3 = <u2>
Hence, p = Nm<c2>/3l3
l3 = volume of the cube = V, so
pV= 1/3 (Nm<c2>)
N = L = Avogadros constant, giving:
pV = 1/3 (Lm<c2>)
This can be written as:
pV = 2/3 L(m<c2>)
The ideal gas equation for a mole is pV = RT,
Where R is the molar gas constant. Combining the last two equations
gives:
2/3 L(m<c2>) = RT
Therefore, (m<c2>) = 3/2 (R/L)T
Planning 12
Now m<c2> is the average kinetic energy for each molecule, and
from the above equation, we know R and L are constants. The ration
R/L is called Boltzmanns constant = k = 1.38 x 10-23 J K-1
Hence, we can say:
m<c2> = 3/2 kT. This will be particularly useful when working out
the kinetic energy of each particle in the analysis, and for the
extension task.
Transition Theory10
Another factor that could affect a reaction taking place is summarised
in the Transition Theory. This states that a collision between reactant
molecules may or may not yield a product. The factors that decide if a
reaction takes place or not are the relative kinetic energies of the
molecules involved, the orientation, and the internal energy of the
molecules. If the reactants form an activated complex (an unstable
grouping of atoms that break apart to form products) they are not
guaranteed to go on and form products - they could just fall apart
back into reactants.
Arrhenius equation
As mentioned earlier, k is temperature dependent. The rate constant
is related to temperature by the Arrhenius equation, which predicts
the rate of a chemical reaction at a certain temperature, given the
activation energy and chance of successful collision of molecules:
k = A.e-Ea/RT
Where A is the frequency factor, k is the rate, Ea Is the activation
energy, R is the gas constant (8.314 J K-1 mol-1), and T is temperature
in Kelvin (K). The frequency factor has the same units as k. By plotting
ln(k) verses 1/T, Ea and A can be determined:
Ln(k) = ln(A) Ea/RT,
Where Ea = the activation energy
Comparing this to y =mx + c,
Y = ln(k)
10
http://www.kobold.demon.co.uk/kinetics/collisio.htm
Planning 13
c = ln(A)
x = 1/T
m = -Ea/R
Therefore, the activation enthalpy can be found by:
Gradient = -Ea/R
-Gradient x R = Ea
How can the rate be

calculated?
Measuring volume
The volume of product produced could be measured, either using an
inverted burette, or a gas syringe. An example of where this is
applicable is in the reaction of hydrogen peroxide and catalase. The
oxygen evolved from the boiling tube passes through the rubber
tubing, and displaces water in an inverted burette, or displaces the
stopper in a gas syringe. This enables the volume of product formed to
be measured. A graph can then be drawn for each, and the initial rate
of reaction would be measured as the gradient of volume of product
produced against time graph. The initial rates for each value would
then be plotted against concentration, to give a graph to find the
order of a reaction.
Measuring pressure
When two substances react with each other, and the product is a gas,
the effect of varying pressure can be detected. Allowing a reaction to
take place under normal room pressure and comparing this with a
reaction under compression, such as placing a bung on a test tube,
allows one to plot a graph of pressure (which can be calculated as
nRT/V = p) against time. The gradient at the start of the experiment of
this will give the initial rate of the reaction. These can then be plotted
on a graph to give the overall order of a reaction.
Titrimetric analysis
This is a standard method of chemical analysis, and it can be used to
determine the concentration of a known reactant. Using a burette, it
is possible to determine the exact amount of a reactant before the
endpoint is reached. With a reaction, small portions must be taken out
at suitable time intervals, and the reaction quenched (halted). One
way of quenching is to put the samples into a conical flask, immersed
into a ice/salt mixture. This allows the concentration of the substance
Planning 14
to be measured by titration. The measurements made are the

concentrations of the reactant at the moment the sample was taken
out. This can then be plotted on a graph of concentration against time,
and the gradient at the start of the graph will give the initial rate of
reaction, which can be determined by drawing on a tangent. The
collection of these rates plotted together against concentration will
give the overall order of the reaction.
Colorimetric analysis11
The size of the filter chosen for the colorimeter is extremely
important, as the wavelength of light that is transmitted by the
colorimeter has to be same as that absorbed by the substance. This is
the complementary colour for the colour of the substance. The
percentage absorbency can be measured at set intervals throughout
the experiment. The percentage absorbency can then be plotted
against time (with units of mol s-1). A calibration curve can also be
plotted, with absorbance being plotted against time.
Coductimetric analysis
This is the measurement of the conductance of a solution. Ions
conduct electricity, and as they will be present while the reaction is
occurring, a measure of the electrical conductivity could be used to
measure the rate of the reaction. For this, the conductivity of the
substance would be plotted against the respective concentration, and
the initial part of the curve gives the initial rate of reaction.
Clock method
This works by reacting small amounts of one reactant with another,
and converting this to another intermediate substance. An indicator is
added to enhance the production of the final product. An additional
substance is also added which blocks the reactant from being
produced by means of a chemical reaction, and so, until the additional
substance is used up, the reactant will not react with the indicator to
form a coloured complex. For example, if a small known volume of
sodium thiosulphate is added to the reaction producing iodine, until
all the thiosulphate ions have been consumed, the iodine will not build
up.
Rate orders
The rate orders that I can expect for my results are one of three; Zero
order, first order or second order.
11
Facts and Practice for A-level: Chemistry, Max Parsonage, 2001

Planning 15
Zero order
Rate laws are differential equations because the rate of a reaction is
the rate of change of a reaction with time. Most reactions are of either
first or second order. Rate laws of zero order are not common. Except
for zero-order rate laws for which the rate is independent of
concentration, the rate of a reaction will change as the reaction
proceeds because the concentrations of reactants and products
change as the reaction proceeds.
The following graph is the graph of a zero order reaction, and it shows
that the rate of reaction with zero order remains constant throughout
the reaction. The gradient is constant, producing a straight line. It can
be seen that the half-life is always decreasing with the decreasing
Graph obtained from
www.chem.purdue.edu
Half-life
decreases with
decreasing
concentration
concentration.
A zero order graph indicates that the rate of reaction is not affected
by the reactant. If a reactant is zero order then it is not included in
the rate equation as its not affecting the rate of the reaction.
Initial
rate of
Reaction
Planning 16
Concentration of reactant
First Order
The following graph is the graph of a first order reaction, and it shows
how the rate of reaction with first order varies throughout the
reaction. The gradient is constantly changing, producing a curve (like
the left-hand side of an x2 graph). It can be seen that the half-life is
always decreasing with the decreasing concentration.
Graph obtained
from
wps.prenhall.com
Half-life
decreases with
decreasing
concentration
A first order graph indicates that the rate of reaction is affected by the
reactant. If a reactant is first order then it is included in the rate
equation as it is directly affecting the rate of the reaction.
Initial rate
of Reaction
Planning 17
As the concentration increases, the rate of reaction also increases.

The evidence that shows that this graph is of first order is the direct
proportionality between the concentration of the reactant and the
initial rate of reaction, as it has a straight line and passes through the
origin.
Second order
The following graph is the graph of a second order reaction, and it
shows how the rate of reaction with second order varies throughout
the reaction. The gradient is constantly varying, producing an
exponential curve. It can be seen that the half-life is always
decreasing with the decreasing concentration.
Planning 18
Initial
rate of
Reaction
It is apparent upon looking at this graph that the initial rate does not
have a linear relationship with the concentration of the reactant. It
has an exponential relationship. This means that if the concentration
doubles, the rate quadruples. It can be concluded that the initial rate
is directly proportional to the concentration of the reactant squared (it
has a squared relationship), i.e. Rate [x2]
This graph is a second order graph.
Background of Hydrogen
Peroxide12,13
Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid that is slightly more viscous than
water. It is a powerful oxidising agent, and so, is a strong bleaching
agent. It can be used as disinfectant and as a monopropellant in
rockets. In this reaction, it is used as an oxidising agent.
The formula for hydrogen peroxide is H2O2 and it has a pH of 4.5.
12
13
Hydrogen Peroxide, in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_peroxide
Planning 19
Structural formula obtained from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide often decomposes exothermically in the presence

of light, and so, it needs to be stored in a cool environment in a brown
bottle. This will mean that, in the experiment, the hydrogen peroxide
solution will need to be freshly made up everyday.
It decomposes into water and oxygen spontaneously, as indicated by
the following reaction:
2H2O2 2H2O + O2 + energy
The rate of decomposition is dependent on the temperature and the
pH of chemicals present in the reaction. Hydrogen peroxide is
incompatible with many substances which catalyse its decomposition,
including most of the transition metals and their compounds. The
decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is more likely in alkaline
conditions, so, often, acid is added as a stabiliser. The sulphuric acid
used in the reaction will mean that there is a much smaller chance for
the hydrogen peroxide to decompose. Also, I will make sure that the
hydrogen peroxide is newly made everyday, and so, there is little
chance for it to decompose.
Background of Potassium
Iodide14
Potassium iodide is a white, crystalline salt, with a formula of KI. It is
often used as an iodide source, because it is less hygroscopic
(attracting and retaining water) than sodium iodide, which enables it
to be easier to work with. Potassium iodide acts as a simple ionic salt,
K+I-. Since iodine is a mild reducing agent, potassium iodide can be
easily oxidised by the hydrogen peroxide. Potassium iodine also forms
the complex I3- when combined with iodine. Potassium iodide can be
used in photography, to prepare the silver (I) iodide. It can also be
used in medicine, to protect the thyroid from radioactive iodine.
14
Dictionary of Inorganic Compounds, J.E. Macintyre, 1992

Planning 20
The structural formula for potassium iodide is shown below:
Structural formula obtained

from:
http://www.webelements.com/we
belements/compounds/text/K/I1
K1-7681110.html
Background of Sodium Thiosulphate

Sodium thiosulphate is a colourless crystalline compound, and is more
commonly found in its pentahydrate state, Na2S2O3.5H2O. In this
experiment, the sodium thiosulphate is in the pentahydrate state. It is
often used in photography as a fixer of film, and in the tanning of
leather in chemical manufacture.
The thiosulphate anion reacts with iodine, reducing it to iodide as it is
oxidised tetrathionate: I3-(aq) + 2S2O32-(aq) 3I-(aq) + S4O6-(aq).
The structural formula for sodium thiosulphate is as follows:
Planning 21
Structural formula obtained from:

http://msds.pcd.go.th/images/Formula
_Chain/10102-17-7.gif
Experiment
Variables
When a set of results are obtained, it is very difficult to determine
exactly which variable has the greatest effect on the result. Therefore,
there can be no more than one variable. The presence of only one
variable is called a fair test.
The variables that will need to be kept the same in every reading for
this experiment are:
Use of the same volume of starch solution:
In each experiment, 1.0cm3 of starch will be used. It is essential
that the same volume of starch is present before each experiment.
The reason for this is that for a higher volume of starch, there is a
higher concentration, and so, the time taken for the blue-black
colour to appear would lessen by a few milliseconds each time. 1.0
cm3 is a reasonable volume of starch to use, so it does not affect the
experiment too much. If there was a lower volume of starch
solution, a small inaccuracy in the reading of the starch solution
could have a negligible effect on the experiment, and thus, vary the
results of the experiment. This enables a fair test to be attained
each time.
Use of the same volume of potassium iodide solution:
In each experiment, 2.0cm3 of potassium iodide will be used. It is
essential that the same volume of potassium iodide is present
before each experiment. The reason for this is that the potassium
iodide is one of the factors that effects the rate of reaction, and the
Planning 22
order of the rate, and so, it must be kept constant if the affect of
varying hydrogen peroxide is to be measured. 2.0 cm3 is a
reasonable volume of potassium iodide to use, as it can be
measured quite accurately with a graduated pipette, with a
relatively small uncertainty. If the volume of potassium iodide were
varied, then it would be very hard to measure the effect of varying
hydrogen peroxide on the rate of reaction. This enables a fair test
to be attained each time.
Use of the same volume of sulphuric acid:
In each experiment, 4.0cm3 of 0.300 mol dm-3 sulphuric acid will be
used. It is essential that the same volume of sulphuric acid is
present before each experiment. The reason for this is that the H+
ions have an effect on the reaction and the order of the rate, and
so, must be kept the same of the affect of varying hydrogen
peroxide concentration is to be measured. Also, hydrogen peroxide
is less likely to decompose in acidic conditions. 4.0 cm3 is a
reasonable volume of buffer solution to use, as it can be measured
quite accurately with a graduated pipette, with a relatively small
uncertainty. This enables a fair test to be attained each time.
Use of universal indicator paper
In each experiment, the pH of each reaction will be measured
using universal indicator paper. It is essential that the pH is kept
the same each time. The reason for this is that varying the pH
could cause the results to become slanted and flawed, and so, to
stop the results obtained from the experiment to be nullified, the
pH must be fixed. This enables a fair test to be attained each time.
Use of a balance:
To make up each solution, a balance will be required to help
measure out the weight of the solid chemical, and then made into a
liquid. It is important to keep the same balance each time, because
if there is a small calibration problem, then this will be carried all
the way through the experiment, and so, the values obtained will
be relative. This would mean a fair test is attained each time.
Use of the same volume of sodium thiosulphate solution:
In each experiment, 2.0cm3 of sodium thiosulphate will be used. It
is essential that the same volume of sodium thiosulphate is present
before each experiment. The reason for this is that the sodium
thiosulphate is one of the factors that affects the rate of this
reaction, as it destroys the iodide ions. 2.0 cm3 is a reasonable
volume of sodium thiosulphate to use, as it can be measured quite
accurately with a graduated pipette, with a relatively small
Planning 23
uncertainty. If the volume of sodium thiosulphate were varied, then

it would be very hard to measure the effect of varying hydrogen
peroxide on the rate of reaction. This is because the time measured
each time would vary, as the amount of iodine destroyed would
vary each time. Keeping the same volume of sodium thiosulphate
each time enables a fair test to be attained.
Keeping the total volume constant:
In each experiment, the total volume will be 14.0cm3. It is essential
that the total volume should stay the same for each experiment.
The reason for this is that if the total volume changes, the
concentration also changes and the results obtained from the
experiment vary. If the volume is kept the same, when you double
the volume, the concentration will also double. This enables a fair
test to be attained each time.
Use of the same colorimeter:
The colorimeter in every experiment will be the same, and the
same blue-green filter (470 nm) will be used. This is due to the fact
that different colorimeters may be calibrated differently at the
place of manufacturing, and therefore, give slightly different
absorption readings. This would hinder the final outcome of the
results, as there would be fluctuations in the results obtained. The
colorimeter will also have to be calibrated back to zero absorption
each time with distilled water to keep a fair test, as a slight change
in calibration can hinder the final results.
Cleaning the equipment with distilled water:
The equipment must be cleaned after each experiment to remove
all the chemicals from the equipment. This ensures a fair test and
makes sure that the results of the experiment are not flawed.
Use of the same graduated pipette each time:
If there is some error in the graduated pipette that makes it unable
to read the volume accurately, then, as it will be used in every
experiment, the errors will be relative to one another and it will not
effect the final outcome greatly. Furthermore, due to human error,
if the volume is not measured accurately, then as these errors will
be continued in every experiment, the errors will be relative to one
another and it will not effect the final outcome greatly. This ensures
a fair test.
Use of the same thermometer
If there is some error in the thermometer that makes it unable to
read the temperature accurately, then, as it will be used in every
Planning 24
experiment, the errors will be relative to one another and it will not
effect the final outcome greatly. This ensures a fair test.
Use of a volumetric flask
It is important to use a volumetric flask to measure solutions,
because the calibration line accurately shows the volume of a
liquid at room temperature. This ensures that the concentration of
each solution is precise each time, meaning a fair test.
Measuring below the meniscus:
I will measure from below the meniscus to provide the most
accurate reading possible. This is because the bottom of the
meniscus provides the actual reading of the volume inside the
measuring cylinder. This ensures a fair test each time.
Use of a water bath:
A water bath will be used to make sure that the temperature is
kept constant at 25oC each time. As temperature is also a factor
that affects the rate of a reaction, keeping this constant each time
will allow the effect of changing concentration to be measured
accurately. The starch solution, hydrogen peroxide, sodium
thiosulphate, sulphuric acid and water will all be placed in a
boiling tube, which will then be kept in a water bath, before the
potassium iodide is added. Just to be doubly sure that the water
bath is at the stated temperature, the mercury thermometer will be
immersed into the water bath, and the temperature checked. This
enables the reaction to take place at the same temperature each
time, ensuring a constant temperature, and thus, enabling a fair
test.
The same stopwatch each time:
If there is some error in the calibration of the stopwatch that
makes it unable to read the time accurately, then, as it will be used
in every experiment, the errors will be relative to one another and
it will not effect the final outcome greatly. Furthermore, due to
human error, if the time is not measured accurately, then as these
errors will be carried through in every experiment, the errors will
be relative to one another and it will not effect the final outcome
greatly. This ensures a fair test.
Use of a volumetric flask
Planning 25
It is bad practice to put solids into a volumetric flask. Therefore,

before making up a solution, the solids must be added to a beaker, and
about half the required distilled water added. The solution should
then be stirred with a stirring rod. This solution should then be
transferred to a volumetric flask using a glass funnel. The glass funnel
and stirring rod should be washed repeatedly, and these washings
added to the volumetric flask. Distilled water should then be added
until the solution is 1.00 cm below the calibration line. The distilled
water should then be added drop by drop until the bottom of the
This is the
meniscus. You must
always measure
volumes from below
the meniscus.
meniscus is just touching the calibration line. A stopper should then
be placed on top of the volumetric flask, and the volumetric flask
inverted a few times.
It is important to use a volumetric flask to measure solutions, because

the calibration line accurately shows the volume at room temperature.
Also, to keep precision, all utensils used in the makeup of the solution
should be washed repeatedly, and these washings added to the
solution. This ensures a high level of precision, and a fair test overall.
Makeup of solutions
For a solid,
Mol = mass/Mr,
Where Mol is the number of moles of the substance, the mass is
measured in grams using a balance, and the Mr is the relative
molecular mass of the substance
For a liquid,
Planning 26
Mol = volume x concentration.

Equating these two equations gives
Mass/Mr = volume x concentration.
Therefore, mass required = volume required x concentration required
x Mr
Mass of sodium thiosulphate required

The formula for sodium thiosulphate in its pentahyrdrate state is
Na2S2O3.5H2O. The Mr of this is 248.
In this experiment, the volume of sodium thiosulphate required is 100
cm3 = 0.100 dm3 and the concentration required is 0.00500 mol dm-3
Therefore, Mass required = volume required x concentration required
x Mr,
= 0.100 x 0.00500 x 248
= 0.124g
However, this is a very small value, and so, there is a high likelihood
for uncertainties to arise. Therefore, 1.24g of sodium thiosulphate will
be added to a beaker, and then about 50.0cm3 of water added. This
solution will then be transferred to a 100 cm3 volumetric flask using a
glass funnel, and the beaker, glass funnel and stirring rod will then be
repeatedly washed using distilled water. These washings will then be
added to the volumetric flask, until the solution is made up to 100
cm3. This forms 0.0500 mol dm-3 of sodium thiosulphate solution, so a
further ten-fold dilution will be made, by taking 10.0 cm3 out of the
0.0500 mol dm-3 sodium thiosulphate and putting this inside another
100 cm3 volumetric flask. This solution will then be made up to
100cm3 using distilled water.
Mass of potassium iodide required

The formula for potassium iodide is KI. The Mr of this is 166.
In this experiment, the volume of potassium iodide required is 250
Planning 27
Therefore, Mass required = volume required x concentration required

x Mr,
= 0.2 x 0.25 x 166
= 0.830g
However, this is a very small value, and so, there is a high likelihood
for uncertainties to arise. Therefore, 8.30g of potassium iodide will be
added to a beaker, and then about 150 cm3 of water added. This
solution will then be transferred to a 250cm3 volumetric flask using a
glass funnel, and the beaker, glass funnel and stirring rod will then be
repeatedly washed using distilled water. These washings will then be
added to the volumetric flask, until the solution is made up to 250
cm3. This forms 0.200 mol dm-3 of potassium iodide solution, so a
further ten-fold dilution will be made, by taking 25.0 cm3 out of the
0.200 mol dm-3 potassium iodide solution and putting this inside
another 250 cm3 volumetric flask. This solution will then be made up
to 250cm3 using distilled water.
Mass of starch granules required

The starch solution can be made up using a standard amount of starch
granules. In this case, the standard is 0.33g of starch granules added
to 0.250 dm3 of water.
The method to make it up is as follows:
Place starch granules into a beaker, and add about two thirds of the
required volume of distilled water. In this case, the volume required is
0.250 dm3 of water, and so, I will add about 80.0 cm3 of water into the
volumetric flask. Heat and swirl this over a bunsen burner until it
starts to bubble. When it bubbles, add another 100 cm3 of water and
remove the bunsen burner from under the beaker. Keep swirling for
about a minute, and then place down onto a heatproof mat, leaving it
to cool. When it has cooled, the starch should be added to the
volumetric flask using a glass funnel. The beaker and glass funnel
should then be repeatedly washed, and the washings added to the
solution. The distilled water should then be added drop-by-drop until
the bottom of the meniscus is just touching the calibration line. It is
important to let the starch solution cool, as heat causes the volume of
water to rise slightly above the calibration line (as T V) and the
volume would be inaccurate, and thus, the test would not be fair.
The same starch solution cannot be kept throughout the duration of
the experiment, as starch can decompose, and so, a fresh solution of
Planning 28
starch should be made-up each day. This will also need to be stored in
a cool place before use, as the starch-iodine complex becomes
unstable above 35oC.
Volume of hydrogen peroxide required

As hydrogen peroxide does not come as a solid, but as a liquid, a
slightly different approach will be needed to find the right amount of
hydrogen peroxide required in this experiment.
In this experiment, the volume of hydrogen peroxide required is 250
Mols of hydrogen peroxide required = concentration required x
volume required
= 0.03 x 0.25
= 0.00750 mol
The volume required would then equal the number of
moles/concentration given. In this experiment, the concentration of
hydrogen peroxide given is 1.67 mol dm-3.
Volume required = mol/given concentration
= 0.00750/1.67
= 4.50 cm3
This will be obtained using a graduated pipette (with pipette filler)
and transferred to a 250cm3 volumetric flask. The beaker will then be
repeatedly washed using distilled water and these washings will be
added to the volumetric flask. Further distilled water will be added
until the solution is made up to 250 cm3
The hydrogen peroxide will have to be made up each day, as it
decomposes in the presence of sunlight. Also, during its use, it will
need to be stored in a dark and cool place to minimise decomposition.
Sulphuric acid
In this experiment, 0.300 mol dm-3 of sulphuring acid will be required.
The recipe card states that, for small concentration values such as
these, a ten-fold dilution will need to take place from 3.00 mol dm-3. As
acid is very corrosive, gloves and eye protection (including a face
shield if possible) should always be worn. Acid must always be added
Planning 29
to water, and so, initially, the 500 cm3 volumetric flask should be halffilled with distilled water. Next, 81.0 cm3 of concentrated sulphuric
acid will be added to the 500 cm3 volumetric flask, and the solution
then made up to 500 cm3. 50cm3 of this 3.00 mol dm-3 sulphuric acid
solution will be taken out and placed in another 500 cm3 volumetric
flask half-filled with water. This will then be made up to 500cm3 to
give sulphuric acid of 0.300 mol dm-3 concentration.
Risk assessment
Before commencement of any experiment, the potential risks involved
must be considered and eliminated in the experiment (or minimised as
much as possible).
Ways in which to minimise the potential chance of accidents
happening are as follows:
1. Wear goggles to protect eyes
2. Tuck in loose ties
3. Button up loose cuffs on shirts
4. Keep work bench tidy and organised, making sure there are no
loose bits of paper on desks
5. Clean up spills immediately with plenty of water
6. Keep loose coats and scarves away from work area
7. Open windows and keep room well ventilated
8. Wear a laboratory coat to protect clothing
9. If skin comes into contact with liquid wash immediately with plenty
of water.
10.
Tie hair back in necessary
11. Have a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket present in the room
in-case of fire
12.
Ensure that the room is not too crowded
13.
Keep bags well under the table to avoid tripping

Planning 30
14. Always have teachers supervision in-case of an extreme

emergency
15.
No eating or drinking in the laboratory
16. Do not wear hair gel/mousse when working with an open flame
because the compounds contained in these substances may be
flammable
17. Iodine, hydrogen peroxide, sodium thiosulphate, sodium
ethanoate, potassium iodide and acetic acid are all irritants, and
could irritate the skin. If they come into contact with the skin, wash
with plenty of water.
18. Hydrogen peroxide is also a bleaching agent, so wash with
plenty of water or sodium thiosulphate if spilt on clothes.
Planning 31
The hazards of each chemical are identified below (using

HAZCARDS):
Sulphuric Acid:
This can cause severe burns, and solutions between 0.5 mol dm-3 and
1.5 mol dm-3 should be labelled as corrosive. Mixing concentrated
sulphuric acid to water is extremely dangerous when mixed with
water, and dangerous reactions have been known to occur. Therefore,
the concentrated sulphuric acid must always be slowly added to cold
water, and never the reverse.
If
swallowed:
If splashed
in eye:
If spilt on
skin or
clothes:
If spilt in
laboratory:
Wash out mouth and give a glass of water. Do not induce

vomiting. Seek medical attention as soon as possible
Flood the eye with gently running tap water for 10
minutes. Seek medical attention.
Remove contaminated clothing and quickly wipe as much
liquid as possible off the skin with a dry cloth before
drenching the area with a large excess of water. If a large
area is affected or blistering occurs, seek medical
attention.
Wear eye protection and gloves. Cover with mineral
absorbent and scoop it up into a bucket. Add anhydrous
sodium carbonate over the mixture and leave to react.
Add lots of cold water. Rinse the area of the spill several
times with water.
Iodine:
It is harmful by inhalation and by contact with the skin. Avoid contact
with the eyes. The solid has a corrosive action on the skin, causing
burns if left for some time.
If
swallowed:
If vapour
inhaled:
If vapour
affects
eyes:
If solid gets
in eyes:
If spilt on
skin or
clothes:
If spilt in
Wash out mouth and give a glass of water. Seek medical

attention as soon as possible
Remove victim to fresh air. Seek medical attention if
breathing is slightly affected.
Bathe eyes. If discomfort persists, seek medical attention.
Brush off solid immediately. Flood affected area with
water immediately, or bathe in sodium thiosulphate
solution. Seek medical attention if blistering occurs.
Wear eye protection and gloves. Ventilate area of spill.
Planning 32
laboratory:
Spread sodium thiosulphate over area of spill, leave for

an hour, and then mop up and rinse.
Planning 33
Hydrogen peroxide:
If
swallowed:
If liquid
gets in
eyes:
If spilt on
skin or
clothes:
If spilt in
laboratory:
Wash out mouth and give a glass of water. Seek medical

attention as soon as possible
Flood affected area with water immediately. Seek medical
attention if blistering occurs.
absorbent and clear up into a bucket. Rinse several times.
Add water to dilute at least ten times before washing the
liquid down the foul-water drain.
Sodium thiosulphate and potassium iodide:

If
swallowed:
If liquid
gets in
eyes:
If spilt on
skin or
clothes:
If spilt in
laboratory:
Give plenty of water. Seek medical attention as soon as

possible
Flood affected area with water immediately. Seek medical
attention if blistering occurs. Wash off skin with plenty of
water.
absorbent and clear up into a bucket. Rinse several times.
Add water to dilute at least ten times before washing the
liquid down the foul-water drain.
I have created a guideline as to how to carry out the practical, which I

will comply with throughout the experiment. These rules are in place
to ensure that the experiment is carried out safely, and to avoid any
injuries or contamination. It also tries to ensure that I am safe, and
that the people around me are also as safe as possible.
General list of apparatus

required throughout the
experiment
It is necessary to know what apparatus is being used before doing the
experiment. The following apparatus will be used for this experiment:
Planning 34
A graduated pipette:
This helps measure the volume of solution required to a high
degree of accuracy. This will help in trying to make sure that the
data collected is reliable by indirectly making sure that the total
volume is kept the same each time (i.e. 14cm3).
Universal indicator paper:
A mercury thermometer:
A mercury thermometer is essential to this experiment, as it will
determine when the reading should be taken. In the experiment, an
analogue mercury thermometer will be used. This will be used
because it measures to an accurate degree of accuracy (+ or
0.5oC). It will make sure that the data that is collected is reliable as
mercury thermometers provide an accurate measurement of the
temperature. As temperature is also a factor that affects the rate of
a reaction, measuring, and therefore keeping, this constant each
time will allow the effect of changing concentration to be measured
accurately. This enables a fair test.
Test tube rack
Boiling tubes can be stored in the test tube rack to prevent
accidents
A colorimeter
A standard colorimeter on the blue-green filter (470 nm) will be
used. This is because it provides an accurate reading of the
percentage absorbency. The results obtained will be reliable each
time, because, as the colorimeter is the same, the calibration from
the manufacturers will also be the same, causing reliable results to
be attained.
15 boiling tubes
These will ensure that there is enough space for the reaction to
proceed in without the fear of the solutions overflowing the boiling
tube. Also, the boiling tube is easy to use and can easily be placed
on a test tube rack.
Planning 35
A wash bottle of distilled water

This will be used to dilute the solutions to the required
concentration. They will also be used to clean the equipment each
time, resulting in a fair test each time as no contamination will
occur.
Water bath
A water bath will be used to make sure that the solution is at the
stated temperature for the extension task. The starch solution,
hydrogen peroxide, sodium thiosulphate and water will all be
placed in a boiling tube, which will then be kept in a water bath,
before the potassium iodide is added. Just to be doubly sure that
the water bath is at the stated temperature, the mercury
thermometer will be immersed into the water bath, and the
temperature checked. This enables the reaction to take place at the
stated temperature each time, thus, enabling a fair test.
5 volumetric flasks:
1 x 0.100 dm3 flasks,
3 x 0.250 dm3 flask
1 x 0.500 dm3 flasks
The solutions will be made up in the volumetric flasks, to ensure
accuracy, and to make sure no cross-contamination occurs. If
contamination does occur, then the results obtained would be
flawed, and thus, unreliable. The use of separate volumetric flasks
ensures a fair test.
5 beakers
To avoid cross-contamination, the chemicals will be placed inside a
beaker, and not be returned to the volumetric flask. This makes
sure that no contamination of equipment can occur. If
contamination does occur, then the results obtained would be
flawed, and thus, unreliable. The use of separate beakers ensures a
fair test.
Stopwatch
Planning 36
2 cuvettes
For use in the colorimeter.
Before running the experiment, a preliminary experiment will be
performed so that I can become accustomed to the equipment and
carry out the experiment without any flaws. This also enables my
efficiency and confidence with the equipment to increase.
Method 115
This method was initially proposed in Shakhashiri's Chemical
Demonstrations, Vol. 4, pages 42-43. However, for this experiment,
instead of using a buffer comprised of ethanoic acid and sodium
ethanoate, I will use 0.3 mol dm-3 sulphuric acid. This is because the
reaction requires H+ ions, which cannot be provided by this buffer
solution quick enough for this reaction. I will measure the pH (and
therefore, keep it constant each time) by using universal indicator
paper.
Test tube
containing the
solutions
15
Shakhashiri's Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 4, pages 42-43

Planning 37
Chemicals required (these will be made up as

previously discussed):
150 cm3 of 0.0300 mol dm-3 hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

50 cm3 of Starch Solution
100 cm3 0.00500 mol dm-3 sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3)
150 cm3 of 0.0200 mol dm-3 potassium iodide (KI)
150 cm3 of 0.300 mol dm-3 sulphuric acid (H2SO4)
Apparatus
A graduated pipette:
This helps measure the volume of solution required to a high
degree of accuracy. This will help in trying to make sure that the
data collected is reliable by indirectly making sure that the total
volume is kept the same each time (i.e. 14cm3).
Test tube rack
accidents
temperature.
15 boiling tubes
These will ensure that there is enough space for the reaction to
proceed in without the fear of the solutions overflowing the boiling
tube. Also, the boiling tube is easy to use and can easily be placed
on a test tube rack.
Planning 38

occur.
5 beakers
To avoid cross-contamination, the chemicals will be placed inside a
beaker, and not be returned to the stock bottle. This makes sure
that no contamination of equipment can occur. If contamination
does occur, then the results obtained would be flawed, and thus,
unreliable.
Stopwatch
Method
1. First place the solutions of hydrogen peroxide, starch solution,
sodium thiosulphate, sulphuric acid and water into a boiling tube
(A) according to Table 1 (note: keep the potassium iodide separate;
for Table 1, please refer to the appendices). The only
concentrations that change are the volumes of hydrogen peroxide
and water. The total volume stays the same.
2. The boiling tube will then be placed in a test tube rack.
3. Measure the temperature each time, and record this down. The
temperature must be kept constant in every experiment to keep a
fair test.
4. Next, pipette 2cm3 of potassium iodide into a different boiling tube
(B) (using table 1)
5. Pour this (B) into the other (A) and immediately start the timing
from the time the solution is added.
6. Stir.
7. Stop the time when the first blue colour appears and record this in
the table of results.
8. After the reaction finishes, check the pH and record it down to
ensure that the pH is kept constant in each experiment. This
Planning 39
9. Repeat the reaction twice, giving a total of three experiments per

concentration of hydrogen peroxide. This helps to reduce
anomalies and gives an accurate set of results, with the experiment
being a fair test. If there are is an anomalous result, repeat the
reading.
10. Next, plot a graph for the time against the concentration for
each set of (averaged) results. A tangent will then be drawn on the
first part of the graph. The gradient of this tangent will give the
initial rate of the reaction. Doing this for each set of results will
give initial rates for all of the experiments.
11. These would then be plotted against concentration, allowing the
order of reaction to be found.
For the next set of results, the volume of potassium iodide will be
varied, with the volume of hydrogen peroxide and sulphuric acid kept
constant each time.
concentrations that change are the volumes of the potassium
iodide and water. The total volume stays the same.
2. Place the boiling tube into a test tube rack.
fair test.
4. Next, pipette the set volume of potassium iodide into a different
boiling tube (B) (using Table 2).
5. Pour this (B) into the other boiling tube (A) and immediately start
the timing from the time the solution is added.
6. Stir
concentration of potassium iodide. This helps to reduce anomalies
and gives an accurate set of results, with the experiment being a
fair test. If there are is an anomalous result, repeat the reading.
Planning 40

For the next set of results, the volume of sulphuric acid will be varied,
with the volume of hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide kept
constant each time.
concentrations that change are the volumes of the potassium
iodide and water. The total volume stays the same.
2. Place this in the test tube rack.
fair test.
5. Pour this (B) into the other boiling tube (A) and immediately start
the timing from the time the solution is added.
6. Stir
concentration of sulphuric acid. This helps to reduce anomalies and
gives an accurate set of results, with the experiment being a fair
test. If there are is an anomalous result, repeat the reading.
Method 2
Colorimeter
Planning 41
Cuvette containing solution

To corroborate the results from method 1, the measurement of the
absorbency of the solution will now be measured. This absorbency will
be plotted against time, and a tangent from the graph taken to give
the initial rate. These initial rates will be plotted against their
corresponding concentrations. A calibration curve will also be
obtained. In this experiment, a 470nm filter will be used each time.
Chemicals required (these will be made up as

previously discussed):
150 cm3 of 0.0300 mol dm-3 Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)
150 cm3 of 0.0200 mol dm-3 Potassium Iodide (KI)
150 cm3 of 0.300 mol dm-3 of sulphuric acid (H2SO4)
Apparatus
A plastic pipette:
This helps to add each solution drop by drop, to a high degree of
accuracy.
Test tube rack
accidents
temperature.
Planning 42
A colorimeter
A standard colorimeter with a blue-green filter will be used. This is
because it provides an accurate reading of the percentage
absorbency, as the light emitted by the colorimeter is the same as
that absorbed by the substance. The results obtained will be
reliable each time, because, as the colorimeter is the same, the
calibration from the manufacturers will also be the same, causing
reliable results to be attained.
occur.
Stopwatch
2 cuvettes
For use in the colorimeter.
Method
1. First place the solutions of hydrogen peroxide, sodium
thiosulphate, sulphuric acid and water into a boiling tube (A)
according to Table 4 (note: keep the potassium iodide separate; for
Table 4, please refer to the appendices). The only concentrations
that change are the volumes of the hydrogen peroxide and water.
The total volume stays the same.
fair test.
5. Calibrate and reset the colorimeter using a cuvette filled with
distilled water.
6. Place a new cuvette into the colorimeter.
Planning 43
7. Pour the solution from one boiling tube (B) into the other boiling
tube (A) and immediately start the timing from the time the
solution is added.
8. Quickly transfer some of the solution from the boiling tube to the
cuvette in the colorimeter
9. Every ten seconds measure the percentage absorbency of the
solution, and record this in a table.
10. Stop after 120 seconds.
12. Repeat the reaction twice, giving a total of three experiments
per concentration of hydrogen peroxide. This helps to reduce
reading.
13. Next, plot a graph for the time against the % absorbency for
varied, with the volume of hydrogen peroxide kept constant each
time.
fair test.
distilled water.
solution is added.
Planning 44
reading.
varied, with the volume of hydrogen peroxide kept constant each
time.
fair test.
distilled water.
solution is added.
Planning 45

reading.
General points
For both methods, it is important to store the hydrogen peroxide in a
brown stock bottle to stop it decomposing with light.
For both sets of results, draw graphs of time versus concentration (for
method 1), and percentage absorbency against concentration (method
2).
Obtaining a calibration curve

A calibration curve is necessary to corroborate the results of the
results obtained by the colorimeter work. This ensures that, for a
gradual increase in concentration of a coloured solution (in this case,
iodine), the absorbency also gradually increases. That is,
concentration % absorbency. The results for each will be recorded
into a table (Appendix 10). A graph will then be plotted to show the
relationship. 15 measurements will be taken, with the first reading at
0.000100 mol dm-3 and the last reading at 0.001500 mol dm-3, at
0.000100 mol dm-3 intervals. The reason for this is that iodine
solutions of higher concentration are too concentrated and too dark in
colour, and so, give absorbencies of 2.00%. To make the iodine
solution, I will need to follow the recipe sheet. Therefore, according to
that, I will need to make up the iodine solution in the following way:
1.
Measure out 3.00g of potassium iodide and place into a beaker

Planning 46
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Add about 65.0 cm3 of water

Measure out 2.54g of iodine granules and add this to the solution
in the beaker.
Stir using a magnetic stirrer for several minutes.
Pour the solution into a 100 cm3 volumetric flask and make up to
100 cm3
This produces a 0.1 mol dm-3 solution of iodine.
Take out 1.5 cm3 of the iodine solution using a graduated pipette,
and add this to another 100cm3 volumetric flask.
Make up to the 100 cm3 mark.
This makes a 0.001500 mol dm-3 iodine solution
The method to perform the experiment is below:

1. Reset the colorimeter by putting a cuvette filled with distilled
water into the colorimeter and press reset.
2. Put a fresh cuvette into the colorimeter
3. Make up the required solution as table 8 (please refer to
appendices) in a 50 cm3 beaker
4. Pipette some into a cuvette
5. Measure the absorbency and record into a table (Appendix 10)
6. Draw a graph of absorbency against concentration
Extension task - 1
For this the affect of temperature will be looked at. Method 1, the
clock collection method will be used for this. This is because it will be
much easier for the boiling tubes to be kept in a water bath,
compared to putting a cuvette and colorimeter in a water bath. The
step-by-step method outlined in method 1 should be followed again.
The concentration of hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide will be
kept constant each time (see table 7). The only variable will be the
temperature that the solution is in. This will be changed using a water
bath. The time will start when the solutions are mixed, and will be
stopped once the solution turns blue-black. Each experiment will be
repeated at least 3 times.
Extension task - 2
For this, I will experiment by using a different filter (490nm) to the
one I will use throughout the main part of the experiments (470nm)
and test the absorbency (using table 4) of the set solutions. I will then
compare this with the results obtained using the 470nm filter.
Planning 47
Synoptic table
Concept
Unit met
Module
Year
Rate orders
Engineering
proteins
From Minerals
to Elements
2849
A2
2848
AS
Elements of Life
Steel Story
Engineering
Proteins
Engineering
Proteins
Engineering
Proteins
Engineering
Proteins
The Atmosphere
Steel Story
2850
2849
2849
AS
A2
A2
2849
A2
2849
A2
2849
A2
2848
2849
AS
A2
From Minerals
to Elements
Minerals to
elements
2848
AS
2848
AS
Elements of life
Engineering
proteins
Engineering
proteins
The atmosphere
2850
2849
AS
A2
2849
A2
2848
AS
The atmosphere
The atmosphere
2848
2848
AS
AS
Redox reactions
(reduction and
oxidation)
Absorption Spectrum
Half-equations
Rate-concentration
graphs
Rate-determining
step
Rate-mechanisms
Half-life
Intermediates
Reactions
incorporating colour
changes
Ionic lattices
Affect of
concentrations on
rate
The mole
Kinetic theory
Boltzmann
Distribution
Affect of pressure on
rate
Factors affecting rate
Affect of temperature
on rate
Affect of catalysts on
rate
Van der Waals forces
Making up a
Developing fuels 2850 + 2848

and the
atmosphere
Polymer
2848
revolution
Elements of Life 2850
AS
AS
AS
Planning 48
standard solution
Using colorimeter
Measuring the time
taken for a reaction
to reach a particular
stage
Arrhenius equation
Steel Story
Aspects of
Agriculture
2849
2854
A2
A2
Aspects of
agriculture
2854
A2
Planning 49
Preliminary Experiment
To ensure that all my equipment works without glitches and to ensure
that my results will be consistent, I will perform a preliminary
experiment. This helps me to, not only identify areas of improvement
for my experiment, but also assists me to familiarise myself with the
equipment.
I will run this experiment with the following concentrations of
substance:
Hydrogen peroxide: 5.00 cm3
Potassium iodide: 2.00 cm3
Starch solution: 2.00 cm3
Sulphuric acid: 4.00 cm3
Sodium thiosulphate: 1.00 cm3
I will follow method 1 from my plan for this experiment.
Results
pH
Temperature
(K)
Time for reaction to happen

(seconds)
1st
2nd
3rd
Averag
e
60.67
59.7 58.7 59.72
9
1
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294
294 294 294
Planning 50
Changes after the Experiment

Further to my preliminary experiment, I was happy with the way the
experiment was running. However, I need to make the following
changes to my experiment:
Hydrogen peroxide
The reaction was too slow, and therefore, I had to increase the
concentration of the hydrogen peroxide to 0.100 mol dm-3. To do this, I
needed:
Mols of hydrogen peroxide required = concentration required x
volume required
= 0.1 x 0.25
= 0.0250 mol
The volume required would then equal the number of
moles/concentration given. In this experiment, the concentration of
hydrogen peroxide given is 1.67 mol dm-3.
Volume required = mol/given concentration
= 0.0250/1.67
= 15.0 cm3
Potassium iodide
Furthermore, the concentration of the potassium iodide was also too
weak, and so, this also needed to be upgraded to 0.200 mol dm-3. To
do this:
Mass required = volume required x concentration required x Mr,
= 0.200 x 0.250 x 166
= 8.30g
Therefore, 8.30g of potassium iodide will be added to a beaker, and
then about 150 cm3 of water added. This solution will then be
transferred to a 250cm3 volumetric flask using a glass funnel, and the
beaker, glass funnel and stirring rod will then be repeatedly washed
using distilled water. These washings will then be added to the
volumetric flask, until the solution is made up to 250 cm3. This forms
0.200 mol dm-3 of potassium iodide solution, so a further ten-fold
dilution will be made, by taking 25.0 cm3 out of the 0.200 mol dm-3
potassium iodide solution and putting this inside another 250 cm3
Planning 51
volumetric flask. This solution will then be made up to 250cm3 using

distilled water.
Planning 52
Implementing - Method 1
Changing the concentration of hydrogen
peroxide
For the first set of experiments, the following volumes of solutions
were used:
pH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
1st
2nd
3rd
Average
53.13
56.12
58.59
55.95
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
When I initially conducted this experiment, I got the following

anomalous results:
pH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
59.15
63.21
62.63
61.66
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
These were anomalous, because the rate for this set of results was off
the line of best fit. I put these anomalies down to teething errors with
the beginning of the experiment.
For the next set of experiments, the following volumes of solutions
were used:
Implementing

Water: 1.00 cm3
pH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
70.68
72.25
76.81
73.25
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
Implementing

were used:
Water: 2.00 cm3
pH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
92.22
93.22
92.09
92.51
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0

were used:
Water: 3.00 cm3
pH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
141.25
142.94 139.15 141.11
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0

were used:
Implementing

Water: 4.00 cm3
pH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
297.31
301.14 300.17 299.54
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
The table for the average set of results for each concentration for
hydrogen peroxide is below:
Concentration of hydrogen
peroxide (mol dm-3)
0.357
0.286
0.214
0.143
0.0714
Average time taken (seconds)

55.95
73.25
92.51
141.11
299.54
(In the table above, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is worked

out by dividing the volume of hydrogen peroxide in the solution by the
total volume).
Working out the rate of reaction for each

concentration
The rate for a clock reaction can be worked out by dividing the
concentration of iodine produced by the average time taken for the
reaction to occur. Looking at the equation:
I3-(aq) + 2S2O32-(aq) 3I-(aq) + S4O6-(aq)
The stoichiometry shows that, for every one mole of iodine produced,
two moles of S2O32- ions are produced. Therefore, to work out the
concentration of iodine produced, the following analysis can be made:
[S2O32-]/2t,
The thiosulphate concentration for each is 0.00500 mol dm-3, and
therefore, the concentration of the iodine produced is 0.00250 mol
dm-3.
Implementing
Using this equation and the above information, the following table can
be constructed:
Concentration
of hydrogen
peroxide (mol
dm-3)
0.0357
0.0286
0.0214
0.0143
0.00714
Average time
taken
(seconds)
Calculation
for rate
Rate (mol s-1)
55.95
73.25
92.51
141.11
299.54
0.0025/55.95
0.0025/73.25
0.0025/92.51
0.0025/141.11
0.0025/299.54
4.47
3.41
2.70
1.77
8.35
x
x
x
x
x
10-5
10-5
10-5
10-5
10-6
The graphs for hydrogen peroxide are shown overleaf.
Implementing
Changing the concentration of potassium

iodide
were used:
pH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
1st
2nd
3rd
Average
64.75
67.37
66.10
66.07
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0

were used:
Water: 1.00 cm3
PH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
1st
2nd
3rd
Average
80.38
81.97
83.56
81.97
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
Implementing

were used:
Water: 2.00 cm3
PH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
108.16
108.63 108.01 108.27
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0

were used:
Water: 3.00 cm3
PH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
143.32
143.02 141.71 142.68
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0

were used:
Implementing

Water: 4.00 cm3
pH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
303.94
308.87 297.06 303.29
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
Concentration of potassium
iodide (mol dm-3)
0.0714
0.0571
0.0429
0.0286
0.0143

66.07
81.97
108.27
142.68
303.29

total volume).

concentration
I3-(aq) + 2S2O32-(aq) 3I-(aq) + S4O6-(aq)
[S2O32-]/2t,
dm-3.
Implementing
be constructed:
Concentration
of potassium
iodide (mol
dm-3)
0.0714
0.0571
0.0429
0.0286
0.0143
Average time
taken
(seconds)
Calculation
for rate
Rate (mol s-1)
66.07
81.97
108.27
142.68
303.29
0.0025/55.95
0.0025/73.25
0.0025/92.51
0.0025/141.11
0.0025/299.54
3.78
3.05
2.31
1.75
8.24
x
x
x
x
x
10-5
10-5
10-5
10-5
10-6
The graphs for potassium iodide are shown overleaf.
Implementing
Changing the concentration of H+ ions

were used:
pH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
95.15
96.37
96.93
96.15
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0

anomalous results:
pH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
65.03
63.21
62.63
63.62
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
295.0
293.5
292.0
293.5
These were anomalous, because the rate for this set of results was off
the line of best fit. I put these anomalies down to the fluctuation of the
temperature in each experiment.
were used:
Water: 1.00 cm3
Implementing 11
PH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
108.29
106.00 109.27 107.85
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
Implementing 12

were used:
Water: 2.00 cm3
PH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
121.32
122.49 119.21 121.01
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0

were used:
Water: 3.00 cm3
PH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
137.78
136.08 138.96 137.61
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0

were used:
Implementing 13

Water: 4.00 cm3
pH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
st
nd
1
2
3rd
Average
172.04
172.19 173.00 172.41
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
294.0
When I first conducted this experiment, I obtained these anomalies:
pH
Temperature
(K)

(seconds)
1st
2nd
3rd
Average
208.22
208.38 210.64 209.08
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
294.5
293.0
292.0
293.0
I put this down to the fluctuations in the temperature.

Concentration of sulphuric acid
(mol dm-3)
0.179
0.143
0.107
0.0714
0.0357

96.15
107.85
121.01
137.61
172.41

total volume).

concentration
Implementing 14
I3-(aq) + 2S2O32-(aq) 3I-(aq) + S4O6-(aq)
[S2O32-]/2t,
dm-3.
Implementing 15
be constructed:
Concentration
of sulphuric
acid (mol dm3
)
0.179
0.143
0.107
0.0714
0.0357
Average time
taken
(seconds)
Calculation
for rate
Rate (mol s-1)
96.15
107.85
121.01
137.61
172.41
0.0025/96.15
0.0025/107.85
0.0025/121.01
0.0025/137.61
0.0025/172.41
2.60
2.32
2.07
1.82
1.45
x
x
x
x
x
10-5
10-5
10-5
10-5
10-5
The graphs for H+ ions are shown overleaf.
Implementing 16
Implementing - Method 2
Changing the concentration of hydrogen
peroxide
were used:
The concentration of hydrogen peroxide used for this experiment was
0.0357 mol dm-3
0.14
0.32
0.40
0.58
0.73
0.89
1.01
1.10
1.24
1.28
1.32
1.35
294
0.14
0.27
0.41
0.58
0.72
0.87
1.01
1.18
1.22
1.29
1.30
1.35
294
0.13
0.28
0.39
0.57
0.74
0.88
1.02
1.17
1.23
1.28
1.31
1.35
294
Average
absorbency
0.14
0.29
0.40
0.58
0.73
0.88
1.01
1.15
1.23
1.28
1.31
1.35
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Time (seconds) Run 1

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3
Implementing 17

anomalous result:
Time (seconds)
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
Result
0.18
0.42
0.56
0.78
0.99
1.10
1.21
1.31
1.41
1.50
1.58
1.57
294
1.0
As this does not fit the general trend of my results, I put this
anomalous result down to the initial teething errors of beginning the
experiment and getting used to it.
The graph of % absorbency against time for this concentration of
hydrogen peroxide is shown overleaf
Implementing 18

were used:
Distilled water: 1.00 cm3
0.0286 mol dm-3
0.11
0.22
0.35
0.45
0.56
0.72
0.81
0.91
0.98
1.03
1.07
1.12
294
0.11
0.21
0.34
0.48
0.60
0.71
0.81
0.91
1.00
1.03
1.08
1.14
294
0.12
0.26
0.35
0.45
0.56
0.70
0.82
0.92
0.99
1.02
1.07
1.10
294
Average
absorbency
0.11
0.23
0.35
0.46
0.57
0.70
0.81
0.91
0.99
1.03
1.07
1.12
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3

Implementing 20

were used:
0.0214 mol dm-3
0.13
0.21
0.29
0.37
0.45
0.52
0.60
0.66
0.72
0.78
0.84
0.90
294
0.12
0.21
0.29
0.39
0.47
0.55
0.63
0.69
0.76
0.83
0.89
0.95
294
0.11
0.19
0.27
0.33
0.43
0.50
0.58
0.64
0.70
0.76
0.82
0.88
294
Average
absorbency
0.12
0.20
0.28
0.36
0.45
0.52
0.60
0.66
0.73
0.79
0.85
0.91
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3

Implementing 22

were used:
0.0143 mol dm-3
0.08
0.17
0.26
0.36
0.43
0.51
0.61
0.68
0.77
0.82
0.85
0.88
294
0.1
0.18
0.25
0.35
0.46
0.52
0.6
0.68
0.73
0.81
0.85
0.9
294
0.09
0.17
0.25
0.35
0.41
0.5
0.59
0.67
0.75
0.81
0.84
0.89
294
Average
absorbency
0.09
0.17
0.25
0.35
0.43
0.51
0.6
0.68
0.75
0.81
0.85
0.89
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3

Implementing 24

were used:
0.00714 mol dm-3
0.06
0.13
0.18
0.24
0.29
0.35
0.40
0.47
0.52
0.54
0.59
0.63
294
0.06
0.11
0.17
0.23
0.30
0.35
0.42
0.48
0.50
0.55
0.60
0.62
294
0.07
0.12
0.19
0.22
0.30
0.36
0.41
0.46
0.51
0.56
0.58
0.64
294
Average
absorbency
0.06
0.12
0.18
0.23
0.30
0.35
0.41
0.47
0.51
0.54
0.59
0.63
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3

hydrogen peroxide is shown overleaf.
Implementing 26
Changing the concentration of potassium

iodide
were used:
The concentration of potassium iodide used for this experiment was
0.0714 mol dm-3
0.16
0.28
0.43
0.54
0.65
0.75
0.85
0.93
1.01
1.09
1.12
1.17
294
0.14
0.29
0.42
0.55
0.66
0.76
0.88
1.00
0.98
1.08
1.13
1.18
294
0.15
0.27
0.38
0.48
0.68
0.76
0.79
0.90
0.99
1.07
1.12
1.16
294
Average
absorbency
0.15
0.28
0.41
0.52
0.66
0.76
0.84
0.94
0.99
1.08
1.12
1.17
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatur
e (K)
PH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3

potassium iodide is shown overleaf
Implementing 28

were used:
0.0571 mol dm-3
0.13
0.24
0.34
0.44
0.52
0.61
0.71
0.81
0.90
0.90
0.96
1.00
294
0.16
0.29
0.34
0.48
0.56
0.68
0.74
0.81
0.90
0.96
0.98
1.01
294
0.12
0.20
0.29
0.45
0.48
0.63
0.69
0.82
0.89
0.99
0.97
1.00
294
Average
absorbency
0.14
0.24
0.32
0.46
0.52
0.64
0.71
0.81
0.90
0.95
0.97
1.00
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3
Implementing 30

anomalous result:
Time (seconds)
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
Result
0.17
0.35
0.57
0.84
1.01
1.19
1.34
1.45
1.54
1.60
1.65
1.69
294
1.0
anomalous result down to the fact that I had to move the solutions
quickly, introducing errors into the experiment.
Implementing 31

were used:
0.0429 mol dm-3
0.11
0.19
0.26
0.33
0.41
0.48
0.54
0.61
0.67
0.73
0.72
0.78
294
0.10
0.20
0.29
0.34
0.38
0.47
0.55
0.62
0.69
0.76
0.82
0.79
294
0.08
0.15
0.21
0.28
0.44
0.40
0.54
0.61
0.68
0.71
0.76
0.78
294
Average
absorbency
0.10
0.18
0.25
0.32
0.41
0.45
0.54
0.61
0.68
0.73
0.77
0.78
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3

Implementing 33

were used:
0.0286 mol dm-3
0.06
0.11
0.17
0.22
0.27
0.32
0.37
0.41
0.46
0.50
0.54
0.58
294
0.07
0.12
0.18
0.24
0.29
0.34
0.39
0.44
0.49
0.53
0.57
0.62
294
0.04
0.09
0.18
0.18
0.22
0.36
0.38
0.44
0.48
0.52
0.54
0.59
294
Average
absorbency
0.06
0.11
0.18
0.21
0.26
0.34
0.38
0.43
0.48
0.52
0.55
0.60
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3

Implementing 35

were used:
0.0143 mol dm-3
0.02
0.03
0.05
0.07
0.09
0.13
0.16
0.17
0.19
0.20
0.22
0.22
294
0.02
0.05
0.07
0.10
0.09
0.14
0.15
0.18
0.20
0.20
0.20
0.23
294
0.03
0.05
0.08
0.11
0.14
0.12
0.15
0.17
0.18
0.21
0.20
0.21
294
Average
absorbency
0.02
0.04
0.07
0.09
0.11
0.13
0.15
0.17
0.19
0.20
0.21
0.22
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3

potassium iodide is shown overleaf.
Implementing 37
Changing the concentration of H+ ions

were used:
The concentration of sulphuric acid used for this experiment was
0.179 mol dm-3
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatur
e (K)
PH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3
0.10
0.18
0.29
0.37
0.48
0.55
0.63
0.70
0.76
0.82
0.87
0.90
294
0.10
0.17
0.28
0.38
0.48
0.55
0.62
0.69
0.76
0.82
0.86
0.89
294
0.11
0.18
0.28
0.36
0.48
0.56
0.63
0.70
0.77
0.83
0.85
0.89
294
Average
absorbency
0.10
0.18
0.28
0.37
0.48
0.55
0.63
0.70
0.76
0.82
0.86
0.89
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
The graph of % absorbency against time for this concentration of H+

ions is shown overleaf
Implementing 39

were used:
0.143 mol dm-3
0.08
0.16
0.25
0.34
0.41
0.50
0.58
0.67
0.73
0.78
0.81
0.84
294
0.07
0.18
0.26
0.33
0.41
0.50
0.58
0.67
0.73
0.78
0.81
0.84
294
0.08
0.17
0.25
0.33
0.42
0.49
0.57
0.66
0.72
0.79
0.82
0.83
294
Average
absorbency
0.08
0.17
0.25
0.33
0.41
0.50
0.58
0.67
0.73
0.78
0.81
0.84
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3
Implementing 41

anomalous result:
Time (seconds)
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
Result
0.11
0.19
0.26
0.34
0.41
0.48
0.55
0.61
0.67
0.73
0.78
0.83
294
1.0
Implementing 42

were used:
0.107 mol dm-3
0.07
0.15
0.21
0.28
0.35
0.42
0.50
0.56
0.60
0.66
0.70
0.72
294
0.07
0.14
0.21
0.29
0.36
0.41
0.50
0.57
0.60
0.65
0.70
0.73
294
0.06
0.14
0.22
0.28
0.35
0.42
0.49
0.56
0.61
0.63
0.71
0.73
294
Average
absorbency
0.07
0.14
0.21
0.28
0.35
0.42
0.50
0.56
0.60
0.65
0.70
0.73
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3

Implementing 44

anomalous result:
Time (seconds)
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
Result
0.10
0.21
0.29
0.36
0.43
0.50
0.53
0.58
0.64
0.71
0.77
0.82
294
1.0
Implementing 45

were used:
0.0714 mol dm-3
0.06
0.12
0.17
0.24
0.29
0.35
0.39
0.44
0.49
0.53
0.57
0.62
294
0.06
0.13
0.16
0.23
0.30
0.35
0.41
0.46
0.50
0.55
0.59
0.63
294
0.07
0.12
0.18
0.23
0.28
0.34
0.39
0.43
0.48
0.53
0.57
0.61
294
Average
absorbency
0.06
0.12
0.17
0.23
0.29
0.35
0.40
0.44
0.49
0.54
0.58
0.62
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3

Implementing 47

were used:
0.0357 mol dm-3
0.04
0.09
0.13
0.16
0.21
0.25
0.29
0.32
0.36
0.39
0.44
0.45
294
0.05
0.10
0.14
0.18
0.22
0.26
0.30
0.34
0.38
0.41
0.46
0.48
294
0.04
0.10
0.14
0.19
0.23
0.27
0.31
0.35
0.39
0.43
0.42
0.46
294
Average
absorbency
0.04
0.10
0.14
0.18
0.22
0.26
0.30
0.34
0.38
0.41
0.44
0.46
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
% Absorbency
Run 2
Run 3

ions is shown overleaf.
Implementing 49
Calibration curve
The colorimeter was tested using different known concentrations of
iodine at specific increments. The percentage absorbency was then
measured for each. The results are below:
Concentrat
ion (mol
dm-3)
0.00010
0.00020
0.00030
0.00040
0.00050
0.00060
0.00070
0.00080
0.00090
0.0010
0.0011
0.0012
0.0013
0.0014
0.0015
Run 1
0.04
0.10
0.15
0.21
0.27
0.30
0.38
0.44
0.49
0.52
0.56
0.63
0.65
0.70
0.76
Percentage absorbency (%)

Run 2
Run 3
Average
0.06
0.11
0.15
0.20
0.26
0.29
0.34
0.41
0.48
0.50
0.57
0.60
0.64
0.70
0.81
0.06
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.24
0.32
0.34
0.39
0.47
0.49
0.55
0.60
0.63
0.69
0.75
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.26
0.30
0.35
0.41
0.48
0.50
0.56
0.61
0.64
0.70
0.77
The graph for this is shown overleaf.
Implementing 49
Extension task: 1 - Varying the

temperature
An experiment was conducted by varying the temperature. This
enabled a graph to be drawn, and the activation enthalpy to be found
using Arrhenius Equation. This was done using method 1 (the clock
reaction). The results are shown below:
Temperature (oC)
11.0
22.0
31.0
40.5
51.5
62.0
69.5
79.5
Temperature (K)
284.0
295.0
304.0
313.5
324.5
335.0
342.5
352.5
Time (seconds)
645.2
414.6
237.3
156.6
77.9
39.4
22.1
9.6
Implementing 51
Extension task: 2 Investigating a reaction using a

different filter on the
colorimeter
This was done using method 2 (the colorimeter). This is to identify
how one filter varies from another filter. In this case, the 490nm filter
is being compared with the standard 470nm filter I used in this
experiment.
In this experiment, the only variable was the volume of hydrogen
peroxide and water. All other solutions were kept constant at:
Time
(seconds)
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
Temperatu
re (K)
pH
Hydrogen
peroxide =
5 cm3,
distilled
water = 0
cm3
0.08
0.16
0.24
0.31
0.38
0.44
0.50
0.56
0.61
0.66
0.71
0.76
294
Percentage absorbency (%)

Hydrogen
Hydrogen
Hydrogen
peroxide =
peroxide =
peroxide =
3
3
4 cm ,
3 cm ,
2 cm3,
distilled
distilled
distilled
water = 1
water = 2
water = 3
cm3
cm3
cm3
0.05
0.06
0.05
0.13
0.13
0.09
0.19
0.18
0.14
0.24
0.24
0.18
0.30
0.29
0.22
0.35
0.34
0.25
0.40
0.30
0.29
0.44
0.43
0.32
0.49
0.47
0.36
0.53
0.52
0.39
0.58
0.56
0.42
0.62
0.60
0.45
294
294
294
Hydrogen
peroxide = 1
cm3,
distilled
water = 4
cm3
0.02
0.03
0.05
0.07
0.08
0.09
0.11
0.12
0.14
0.15
0.16
0.18
294
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Implementing 52
The graphs for each of these concentrations are shown overleaf.
Implementing 53
Analysis
Implementing 51

Hydrogen Peroxide Iodine Clock

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Hydrogen Peroxide Iodine Clock

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Aims

The aims of this investigation are:

Factors that affect the rates of

Affect of surface area on the rate of reaction

In the above example, reactant 1 can get to the outer atoms of

Reactant 1 can get to all the atoms of reactant 2.

Affect of concentration on the rate of reaction

supposing fixed positions and an equal probability of being hit, the

has a certain amount of kinetic energy and once it collides (perfectly

Affect of the presence of a catalyst on the rate

Now all these particles have

Diagram obtained from

A catalyst works in two ways. One of them is adsorption, and this is

Affect of the pressure on the rate of reaction

gaseous state. If the pressure is higher, the chance for collisions to

iodine is blue-green, so a blue-green filter (470 nm) will be used in

endpoint is a constant because the amount (moles) of thiosulphate

Affect of temperature on the rate of reaction

The area under the graph represents the number of molecules

(u12 + u22 + + uN2)

(u12 + u22 + + uN2)

How can the rate be

to be measured by titration. The measurements made are the

Facts and Practice for A-level: Chemistry, Max Parsonage, 2001

As the concentration increases, the rate of reaction also increases.

Hydrogen Peroxide, in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology

Structural formula obtained from:

Hydrogen peroxide often decomposes exothermically in the presence

Dictionary of Inorganic Compounds, J.E. Macintyre, 1992

The structural formula for potassium iodide is shown below:

Structural formula obtained

Background of Sodium Thiosulphate

Structural formula obtained from:

uncertainty. If the volume of sodium thiosulphate were varied, then

Use of a volumetric flask

It is bad practice to put solids into a volumetric flask. Therefore,

It is important to use a volumetric flask to measure solutions, because

Mol = volume x concentration.

Mass of sodium thiosulphate required

Mass of potassium iodide required

Therefore, Mass required = volume required x concentration required

Mass of starch granules required

Volume of hydrogen peroxide required

Tie hair back in necessary

Ensure that the room is not too crowded

Keep bags well under the table to avoid tripping

14. Always have teachers supervision in-case of an extreme

No eating or drinking in the laboratory

The hazards of each chemical are identified below (using

Wash out mouth and give a glass of water. Do not induce

Wash out mouth and give a glass of water. Seek medical

Spread sodium thiosulphate over area of spill, leave for

Wash out mouth and give a glass of water. Seek medical

Sodium thiosulphate and potassium iodide:

Give plenty of water. Seek medical attention as soon as

I have created a guideline as to how to carry out the practical, which I

General list of apparatus

A wash bottle of distilled water

Shakhashiri's Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 4, pages 42-43

Chemicals required (these will be made up as

150 cm3 of 0.0300 mol dm-3 hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

A wash bottle of distilled water

9. Repeat the reaction twice, giving a total of three experiments per

11. These would then be plotted against concentration, allowing the