Chapter 1: Rate of Reaction

1. Rate of Reaction
- Rate of reaction is the speed at which reactants are converted into products in a
chemical reaction.
- Different chemical reactions occur at different rates.
Fast reaction Slow reaction
- The time taken for a fast reaction is short. - The time taken for a slow reaction is
- The reactants are quickly converted to the long.
products. - The rate of reaction for a slow reaction is
- The rate of reaction is said to be high low.
- Examples: - Examples:
- Fading of dyes on a shirt under hot sun - A piece of newspaper turning yellow
- Cooking a chicken using a microwave oven - The weathering of limestone by acid rain
- Burning of petrol in a car engine - Rusting of a water pipe
- Striking a match
- Ripening of tomatoes
2. Observable changes for measuring rate of reaction
- During the reaction of magnesium ribbon
Precipitation with dilute hydrochloric acid, HCl, two
formation
visible changes are
Change in
Volume of
mass during
- Decrease in the mass of marble chips
a gas
liberated the reaction (reactant)
Observable - Increase in the volume of carbon dioxide
changes
gas, CO2 (product)

Pressure Colour Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq)  MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

changes change

Temperature
changes

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3. Rate of reaction is measured by:
change in selested quantity
Rate of reaction = time taken
Example: Magnesium ribbon and dilute hydrochloric acid
decrease in mass of magnesium
ribbon (reactant)
Rate of reaction = time taken

increase in volume of
hydrogen gas (product)
Rate of reaction = time taken
4 Average rate of reaction
- is the average value of the rate of reaction within a specified period of time.
5. Rate of on reaction at a give time
- is the actual rate of reaction at that instant
- It is also known as the instantaneous rate of reaction
- Gradient of the curve at that instant

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 Activity
Aim:
To determine the average rate of reaction and the instantaneous rate of reaction
Apparatus:
150 cm3 conical flask, 50 cm3 measuring cylinder, stopper with delivery tube, burrette, retort
stand and clamp, stopwatch, basin and electronic balance
Materials:
5 g of granulated zinc, 0.1 mol dm–3 hydrochloric acid and water.
Procedure:
1. 25 cm3 of 0.1 mol dm–3 hydrochloric acid is measured and pored into a conical flask.
2. About 5 g of granulated zinc is weighed using an electronic balance.
3. A burette is filled full with water. It is then inverted into a basin containing water and
clamped vertically using a retort stand.
4. The water level in the burette is adjusted to 50 cm3 mark.
5. The set up of the apparatus is shown in Figure 1.

6. The granulated zinc is added into the conical flask containing hydrochloric acid.
7. The conical flask is closed immediately with a stopper which is joined to delivery tube. At
the same time, the stopwatch is started.
8. The conical flask is shaken steadily throughout the whole activity.
9. The volume of gas collected in the burette by downward displacement of water is recorded
at 30-second intervals for a period of 5 minutes.
10. The results are recorded in a table.
Results:
Time (s) 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Burette reading
50.00 38.00 30.00 26.00 23.00 20.00 18.50 17.50 17.00 17.00 17.00
(cm3)
Volume of gas
3
0.00 12.00 20.00 24.00 27.00 30.00 31.50 32.50 33.00 33.00 33.00
(cm )
Calculation:
From your graph,

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 1. To calculate the average rate of reaction:
a) Average rate of reaction for the overall reaction
b) Average rate of reaction in the first minute
c) Average rate of reaction in the second minute
2. To calculate the instantaneous rate of reaction:
a) Instantaneous rate of reaction at 30 seconds
b) Instantaneous rate of reaction at 90 seconds
Observation Inference
1. Gas bubbles are produced. 1. Hydrogen gas is produced.
2. Liberation of gas is the fastest at the 2. The reaction is the fastest at the
beginning. Then, liberation of gas beginning. The reaction slows down and
slows down and stops at 240 s. then is complete at 240 s.
3. From the graph plotted, it can be 3. The rate of reaction decreases with time.
seen that the gradient of the curve The rate of reaction becomes zero at 240s.
decreases with time. The gradient
becomes zero at 240 s.
Conclusion:
The rate of reaction decreases with time and then becomes zero.
Explanation:
1. Reaction between hydrochloric acid and zinc produces hydrogen gas and zinc chloride
solution.

2. The instantaneous rate of reaction at 30 seconds is higher than that of 90 seconds. This is
because
a) the concentration of hydrochloric acid is higher at 30 seconds
b) the total surface area of granulated zinc is larger at 30 seconds
3. The rate of reaction decreases with time because the concentration of hydrochloric acid and
the total surface area of granulated zinc decreases with time. When all the concentration of
hydrochloric acid is completely reacted, the rate of reaction becomes zero.

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 Size of Concentration
Reactants of Reactants

Factors Affecting
the
Rate of Reaction

Temperature
and Catalysts
Pressure

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B Factors Affecting the Rate of Reaction
I Effect of surface area on the rate of reaction
1. For a fixed mass of solid reactant, the smaller the size of the reactant, the larger will be the
total exposed surface area, thus the higher will be the rate of reaction.
Examples:
i. CaCO3 (s) + 2HCl (aq)  CaCl2 (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
ii. Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq)  Mg Cl2 (aq) + H2 (g)
iii. Zn (s) + H2SO4 (aq)  ZnSO4 (aq) + H2 (g)

Experiment
Aim:
To investigate the effect of size of a reactant on the rate of reaction
Problem statement:
Does small size of marble chips increase the rate of reaction?
Hypothesis:
The smaller the size of marble chips, the higher the rate of reaction.
Variables:
Manipulated variable: size of marble chips
Responding variable: Rate of reaction
Controlled variables : Mass of marble chips, volume and concentration of HCl acid,
Temperature
Apparatus:
50 cm3 measuring cylinder, 150 cm3 conical flask, stopper with delivery tube, basin, burette,
electronic balance and stopwatch
Materials:
0.1 mol dm–3 hydrochloric acid, 2 g of large marble chips, 2 g of small marble chips and water
Procedure:
1. 40 cm3 of 0.1 mol dm–3 hydrochloric acid is measured and pored into a conical flask.
2. About 2 g of large marble chips are weighed using an electronic balance.
3. A burette is filled full with water. It is then inverted into a basin containing water and clamped
vertically using a retort stand.
4. The water level in the burette is adjusted to 50 cm3 mark.
5. The set up of the apparatus is shown in Figure 2.

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 6. The large marble chips are added into the conical flask containing hydrochloric acid.
7. The conical flask is closed immediately with a stopper which is joined to delivery tube. At the
same time, the stopwatch is started.
8. The conical flask is shaken steadily throughout the whole experiment.
9. The volume of gas collected in the burette by downward displacement of water is recorded at
30-second intervals for a period of 5 minutes.
10. The results are recorded in a table.
11. The experiment is repeated using 2 g of small marble chips to replace 2 g of large marble
chips. All the conditions remain unchanged.
Results:
Experiment 1: Large marble chips
Time (s) 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Burette reading
50.00 43.00 38.00 34.00 30.00 27.50 25.00 23.00 21.00 20.00 19.00
(cm3)
Volume of gas
0.00 7.00 12.00 16.00 20.00 22.50 25.00 27.00 29.00 30.00 31.00
(cm3)

Experiment 2: small marble chips

Time (s) 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Burette reading
3
50.00 39.00 32.00 27.00 22.50 19.00 16.00 13.50 11.50 10.00 9.00
(cm )
Volume of gas
3
0.00 11.00 18.00 23.00 27.50 31.00 34.00 36.50 38.50 40.00 41.00
(cm )

Calculation:
From your graph,
1. To calculate the average rate of reaction at 200 seconds:
a) Experiment 1
b) Experiment 2
c) By comparison, the average rate of reaction for experiment 2 is higher than experiment 1 at
300 seconds.
2. To calculate the instantaneous rate of reaction at 120 seconds:
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 a) Experiment 1
b) Experiment 2
c) By comparison, the instantaneous rate of reaction for experiment 2 is higher than
experiment 1 at 120 seconds.
Observation Inference
1. Gas bubbles are produced. 1. Carbon dioxide gas is produced.
2. Liberation of gas is the fastest at the 2. The reaction is the fastest at the
beginning and it slows down later. beginning. The reaction slows down and
then is complete at 240 s.
3. From the graph plotted, it can be 3. The rate of reaction for the experiment
seen that the initial gradient of the using small marble chips is higher that the
curve for the experiment using small rate of reaction for the experiment using
marble chips is higher than the initial large marble chips
gradient of the curve for the
experiment using large marble chips.
Conclusion:
1. small marble chips have a higher rate of reaction.
2. The hypothesis is accepted.
Explanation:
1. The reaction between hydrochloric acid and marble chips produces carbon dioxide gas, calcium
chloride solution and water.

2. Based on the graphs plotted, the curve for experiment 2 is steeper than experiment 1
3. This means the rate of reaction for experiment 2 (using small marble chips) is higher than
experiment 1 (using large marble chips). This is because small marble chips have a larger total
exposed surface area.
4. The curves becomes less steep with time due to the decrease in concentration of hydrochloric
acid and mass of marble chips.
5. If both experiments are continued until the reaction is completed, the following graph will be
obtained.

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6. Both experiments produce the same maximum volume of carbon dioxide gas. This is because
both experiments use the same
a) concentration and volume of hydrochloric acid
b) mass of marble chips (calcium carbonate)
7. The maximum volume of carbon dioxide gas collected is less than the theoretical volume
because a small volume of carbon dioxide gas has dissolved in the water when it is collected in
the burette.
8. To overcome the problem, one should pass the carbon dioxide gas through the water for a few
minutes before starting the experiment. This is to saturate the water with carbon dioxide before
collecting the gas in the burette.

Use of collision theory to explain the effect of the size of reactant /

total surface area on the rate of reaction
1. When the size of a fixed mass of solid reactant is smaller, the total surface area exposed to
collision with the particles of the other reactants is bigger.
Thus, the frequency of collision among the reacting particles at the surface of the solid
reactant increases.
This leads to an increase in the frequency of effective collision and hence, a higher rate
of reaction.

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II Effect of Concentration on the Rate of Reaction
1. The higher the concentration of liquid reactant, the higher the rate of reaction.
Examples:
i. Na2S2O3 (aq) + H2SO4 (aq)  Na2SO4 (aq) + S (s) + SO2 (g) + H2O (l)
ii. CaCO3 (s) + 2HCl (aq)  CaCl2 (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
iii. CaCO3 (s) + 2HNO3 (aq)  Ca(NO3) (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)

Experiment
Aim:
To investigate the effect of concentration on the rate of reaction
Problem statement:
Does high concentration of sodium thiosulphate solution, the shorter the time taken for the
mark ‘X ‘ to disappear from sight?
Hypothesis:
The higher the concentration of sodium thiosulphate solution, the shorter the time taken for the
mark ‘X ‘ to disappear from sight.
Variables:
Manipulated variable: Concentration of sodium thiosulphate solution
Responding variable: Time taken for the mark ‘X ‘ to disappear from sight
Controlled variables : Temperature, total volume of the reacting mixture, concentration and
volume of sulphuric acid, size of conical flask
Apparatus:
10 cm3 measuring cylinder , 50 cm3 measuring cylinder, 150 cm3 conical flask and stopwatch
Materials:
1.0 mol dm–3 hydrochloric acid, 0.2 mol dm–3 sodium thiosulphate solution, distilled water and
white paper with a mark ‘X ‘ at the centre
Procedure:
1. 45 cm3 of 0.2 mol dm–3 sodium thiosulphate solution is measured using a 50 cm3
measuring cylinder and pored into a conical flask.

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 2. The conical flask is placed on top of a piece of white paper with a mark ‘X ‘ at the centre.
3. 5 cm3 of 1.0 mol dm–3 sulphuric acid is measured using a 10 cm3 measuring cylinder.
4. The sulphuric acid is poured quickly and carefully into the conical flask. At the same time,
stopwatch is started immediately.
5. The mixture in the conical flask is swirled for a few time. It is then placed back on the white
paper.
6. The mark ‘X‘ is observed vertically from the top through the solution as shown in Figure 3.
7. The stopwatch is stopped immediately once the mark ‘X‘ disappear from sight.
8. The time t required for the mark ‘X‘ to disappear from sight is recorded.
9. The experiment is repeated four more times using different volumes of 0.2 mol dm–3
sodium thiosulphate solution which is diluted with different volumes of distilled water as
shown in table below. All other conditions remain unchanged.
10. The results are recorded.
Results:
Set I II III IV V
Volume of 0.2 mol dm–3 sodium thiosulphate
45 40 30 20 10
solution, V1 (cm3)
Volume of distilled water (cm3) 0 5 15 25 35
Volume of 1.0 mol dm–3 sulphuric acid (cm3) 5 5 5 5 5
Total volume of the mixture, V2 (cm3)
Concentration of sodium thiosulphate solution
that reacts, M2 (mol dm–3)
 MV 
 M 2  1 1 
 V2 

Time taken (s) 18 20 27 41 82

1
( s 1 )
Time
Observation Inference
1. A yellow precipitate formed 1. A yellow precipitate formed is sulphur
2. A pungent smell is produced 2. Sulphur dioxide gas is produced
3. When the concentration of sodium 3. When the concentration of sodium
thiosulphate decreases, the time taken thiosulphate decreases, the production
for the mark ‘X‘ to disappear from sight of the yellow precipitate of sulphur
becomes longer. becomes slower. Thus, the rate of
reaction decreases

Conclusion:
1. An increase in concentration of sodium thiosulphate increases the rate of reaction
2. The hypothesis is accepted.

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 Explanation:
1. The reaction between sulphuric acid and sodium thiosulphate solution produces sodium
sulphate solution, sulphur, sulphur dioxide gas and water.
Chemical equation:

Ionic equation:

2. Based on the graph I, the curve implies that as the concentration of sodium thiosulphate
solution becomes lower, the time taken for the mark ‘X‘ to disappear from sight becomes
longer.
3. Based on graph II, the straight line implies that the concentration of sodium thiosulphate
1
solution is directly proportional to .
Time
4. In other words, the concentration of sodium thiosulphate solutions is direct proportional to
the rate of reaction.
5. Conical flask of the same size and shape are used in this experiment. If a bigger conical
flask is used, the time taken for the mark ‘X‘ to disappear from sight becomes longer.
6. This is because bigger conical flask has a larger base area. The mixture of 50 cm3 solution
becomes shallower. A bigger amount of yellow precipitate is needed to turn the mark ‘X‘
invisible from sight.
7. If the experiments is repeated using 1.0 mol dm–3 ydrochloric acid to replace 1.0 mol dm–3
sulphuric acid, the rate of reaction will decreases.
8. This because hydrochloric acid is a strong monoprotic acid whereas sulphuric acid is a
strong diprotic acid. Although the concentration of acids is the same, the concentration of
hydrogen ions in sulphuric acid is twice the concentration of hydrogen ions in hydrochloric
acid.
Use of collision theory to explain the effect of concentration on the rate of reaction
1. When the concentration of the solution of a reactant increase, the number of particles per
unit volume of the solution of this reactant also increase.
2. with more particles per unit volume of the solution, the number of collisions per unit time
between the reacting particles increases.
3. Thus, the frequency of effective collision increases and hence, the rate of reaction
increases

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III Effect of temperature on the rate of reaction
1. As the temperature of the reactant increases, the rate of reaction increases.
2. At higher temperature, the reactant particles have greater kinetic energy resulting in a higher
speed of movement and thus more frequent effective collisions.
3. Cooling a mixture will slow down the particles and fewer collisions take place.
4 Temperature is directly proportional to the rate of reaction. That is, the higher the temperature,
the higher the rate of reaction.
Experiment
Aim:
To investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of reaction
Problem statement:
Does high temperature of sodium thiosulphate solution decrease the time taken for the mark
‘X ‘ to disappear from sight?
Hypothesis:
The higher the temperature of sodium thiosulphate solution, the shorter the time taken for the
mark ‘X ‘ to disappear from sight.
Variables:
Manipulated variable: Temperature of sodium thiosulphate solution
Responding variable: Time taken for the mark ‘X ‘ to disappear from sight
Controlled variables : Concentration and volume of sodium thiosulphate solution,
concentration and volume of sulphuric acid, size of conical flask
Apparatus:
10 cm3 measuring cylinder , 50 cm3 measuring cylinder, 150 cm3 conical flask, stopwatch,
thermometer, Bunsen burner and wire gauze.
Materials:
1.0 mol dm–3 hydrochloric acid, 0.2 mol dm–3 sodium thiosulphate solution, distilled water and
white paper with a mark ‘X ‘ at the centre
Procedure:
1. 50 cm3 of 0.2 mol dm–3 sodium thiosulphate solution is measured using a 50 cm3
measuring cylinder and pored into a conical flask.
2. The temperature of the solution is measured using a thermometer.
3. The conical flask is placed on top of a piece of white paper with a mark ‘X ‘ at the centre.
4. 5 cm3 of 1.0 mol dm–3 sulphuric acid is measured using a 10 cm3 measuring cylinder.
5. The sulphuric acid is poured quickly and carefully into the conical flask. At the same time,
stopwatch is started immediately.
6. The mixture in the conical flask is swirled for a few time. It is then placed back on the white
paper.
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 7. The mark ‘X‘ is observed vertically from the top through the solution as shown in Figure 4.
8. The stopwatch is stopped immediately once the mark ‘X‘ disappear from sight.
9. The time t required for the mark ‘X‘ to disappear from sight is recorded.
10. The experiment is repeated using 50 cm3 0.2 mol dm–3 sodium thiosulphate solution at
350C, 400C, 450C and 500C respectively. All other conditions remain unchanged.
11. The results are recorded.
Results:
Set Temperature (0C) Time, t (s) 1
(s–1)
Time
I 30.0 50
II 35.0 28
III 40.0 20
IV 45.0 15
V 50.0 12
Observation Inference
1. A yellow precipitate formed 1. A yellow precipitate formed is sulphur
2. A pungent smell is produced 2. Sulphur dioxide gas is produced
3. When the temperature of sodium 3. When the temperature of sodium
thiosulphate decreases, the time thiosulphate decreases, the
taken for the mark ‘X‘ to disappear production of the yellow precipitate of
from sight becomes shorter. sulphur becomes faster. Thus, the
rate of reaction increases

Conclusion:
1. An increase in temperature of sodium thiosulphate increases the rate of reaction
2. The hypothesis is accepted.
Explanation:
1. The reaction between sulphuric acid and sodium thiosulphate solution produces sodium
sulphate solution, sulphur, sulphur dioxide gas and water.
Chemical equation:

Ionic equation:

2. Based on the graph I, the curve implies that as the temperature of sodium thiosulphate
solution becomes higher, the time taken for the mark ‘X‘ to disappear from sight becomes
© MHS 2010 14
 shorter.
3. Based on graph II, the straight line implies that the temperature of sodium thiosulphate
1
solution is directly proportional to .
Time
4. In other words, the temperature of sodium thiosulphate solutions is directly proportional to
the rate of reaction.
Use of collision theory to explain the effect of Temperature on the rate of reaction
1. When the temperature increase, the average kinetic energy of the reacting particles
increases.
2. The particles move faster and collide more often with one another. The frequency of
collision among the reacting particles increases.
3. Particles also have more energy to overcome the activation energy.
4. These changes increase the frequency of effective collision.
5. Hence, the rate of reaction increase.

Use of collision theory to explain the effect of Temperature on the rate of reaction
1. when the pressure of gaseous reactant increases, the particles are compressed to
occupy a smaller volume. The number of gas particles per unit volume increases.
2. The frequency of collision among the reacting particles increases.
3. This increases the frequency of effective collision.
4. Hence, the rate of reaction increases.

Lower pressure results in less collision among Higher pressure results in more collision
particles as the particles are far from one among particles as the particles are pushed
another. near to one another.

© MHS 2010 15
 IV Effect of catalyst on the rate of reaction
1. A catalyst is a substance which alters the rate of a chemical reaction while it remains
chemically unchanged at the end of the reaction.
2. A positive catalyst increases the rate of reaction whereas a negative catalyst (inhibitors)
decreases the rate of reaction.
3. Most catalysts are transition elements or compounds of transition elements such as iron,
nickel and copper (II) sulphate, CuSO4.

Only a small amount of Alters the rate of reaction

catalyst is needed to
increases the rate of
reaction. An increase in
the quantity of catalyst
will increase the rate of It is specific in its action. It
reaction but only a very Catalyst can only catalyse a
slight increase particular reaction

During a reaction, catalyst

remains chemically Does not change the
unchanged but may quantity of products formed
undergo physical
changes. For example,
catalyst may turn into
powder during the reaction

Experiment
Aim:
To investigate the effect of catalyst on the rate of reaction
Problem statement:
Does the presence of a catalyst increase the rate of reaction?
Hypothesis:
The presence of a catalyst increase the rate of reaction.
Variables:
Manipulated variable: the presence of the catalyst
Responding variable: Rate of reaction
Controlled variables : Mass of zinc granules, volume and concentration of HCl acid,
Temperature

© MHS 2010 16
 Apparatus:
50 cm3 measuring cylinder, 150 cm3 conical flask, stopper with delivery tube, basin, burette,
electronic balance and stopwatch
Materials:
0.1 mol dm–3 hydrochloric acid, 5 g of zinc granules, 0.5 mol dm–3 copper (II) sulphate solution
and water
Procedure:
1. 50 cm3 of 0.1 mol dm–3 hydrochloric acid is measured and pored into a conical flask.
2. About 5 g of granulated zinc is weighed using an electronic balance.
3. A burette is filled full with water. It is then inverted into a basin containing water and
clamped vertically using a retort stand.
4. The water level in the burette is adjusted to 50 cm3 mark.
5. The set up of the apparatus is shown in Figure below.

6. The granulated zinc is added into the conical flask containing hydrochloric acid.
7. 5 cm3 of 0.5 mol dm–3 copper (II) culphate solutions is added to the conical flask.
8. The conical flask is closed immediately with a stopper which is joined to delivery tube. At
the same time, the stopwatch is started.
9. The conical flask is shaken steadily throughout the whole experiment.
10. The volume of gas collected in the burette by downward displacement of water is recorded
at 30-second intervals for a period of 5 minutes.
11. The experiment is repeated without adding 5 cm3 of 0.5 mol dm–3 copper (II) culphate
solutions to the conical flask.
12. The results are recorded in a table.

Results:
Experiment 1: With 5 cm3 of 0.5 mol dm–3 copper (II) culphate solutions (with catalyst)
Time (s) 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Burette reading
50.00 37.00 29.00 23.00 19.00 16.00 14.00 12.00 10.50 9.50 9.00
(cm3)
Volume of gas
3 0.00 13.00 21.00 27.00 31.00 34.00 36.00 38.00 39.50 40.60 41.00
(cm )

© MHS 2010 17
 Experiment 2: Without 5 cm3 of 0.5 mol dm–3 copper (II) culphate solutions (without catalyst)
Time (s) 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Burette reading
50.00 43.00 38.00 34.00 30.00 27.00 25.00 22.00 21.00 19.00 18.00
(cm3)
Volume of gas
3
0.00 7.00 12.00 16.00 20.00 23.00 25.00 28.00 29.00 31.00 32.00
(cm )
Calculation:
From your graph,
1. To calculate the average rate of reaction at 200 seconds:
a) Experiment 1
b) Experiment 2
c) By comparison, the average rate of reaction for experiment 2 is higher than experiment
1 at 300 seconds.
2. To calculate the instantaneous rate of reaction at 120 seconds:
a) Experiment 1
b) Experiment 2
c) By comparison, the instantaneous rate of reaction for experiment 2 is higher than
experiment 1 at 120 seconds.
Observation Inference
1. Gas bubbles are produced. 1. Hydrogen gas is produced.
2. Liberation of gas is the fastest at the 2. The reaction is the fastest at the beginning
beginning and it slows down later. and then it slows down.
3. From the graph plotted, it can be 3. The rate of reaction for the experiment
seen that the gradient of the curve for using a catalyst is higher that the rate of
the experiment with a catalyst (copper reaction for the experiment without a
(II) sulphate solution) is higher than catalyst.
the gradient of the curve for the
experiment without a catalyst.
Conclusion:
1. The presence of catalyst increase the rate of reaction.
2. The hypothesis is accepted.
Explanation:
1. The reaction between hydrochloric acid and zinc produces hydrogen gas and zinc chloride
solution.

2. Based on the graphs plotted, the curve for experiment 1 is steeper than experiment 2.
3. This means the rate of reaction for experiment 1 (using catalyst) is higher than experiment
© MHS 2010 18
 2 (without catalyst).
4. The curves becomes less steep with time due to the decrease in concentration of
hydrochloric acid and mass of zinc granules.
5. If both experiments are continued until the reaction is completed, the following graph will
be obtained.

6. Both experiments produce the same maximum volume of hydrogen gas. This is because
both experiments use the same
a) concentration and volume of hydrochloric acid
b) mass of zinc granules

Use of collision theory to explain the effect of catalyst on the rate of reaction
1. When a positive catalyst is used in a chemical reaction, it provides as alternative path
with a lower activation energy.
2. More colliding particles are able to overcome the lower activation energy.
3. The increases the frequency of effective collision.
4. Hence the rate of reaction increases.

© MHS 2010 19
 Activation energy
1. According to the kinetic theory of matter, particles of matter are in continuous motion and
constantly in collision with each other.
2. During a reaction, the particles of the reactants, whether atoms, molecules or ions, must
collide with each other for bond breaking and then bond formation to occurs.
3. Only those collisions which achieved a minimum amount of energy, called activation
energy, and with the correct orientation, will result in a reactions.
4. These collisions are known as called effective collisions.
5. If the particles collide with energy less than the activation energy needed for reaction or
with the wrong orientation, they simply bounce apart without reacting.
6. These collisions are known as ineffective collisions.

7. In the energy profile diagram, the activation energy is the difference is energy between the
energy of the reactants and the energy shown by the peak of the curve,
8. It is the energy barrier that must be overcome by the colliding particles of the reactants in
order for reaction to occur.
9. The number of effective collisions occurring in one second is called the frequency of
effective collision.
10. when the frequency of effective collision is high, the rate of reaction is high.

© MHS 2010 20