Rates of Reaction N13 (Disappearing Cross)

Name:Ajauni Anderson
Experiment #13
Title: Rates of reaction
Date: October 2, 2024
Aim: To investigate the effect of concentration on rate of reaction (using sodium Thiosulphate
and sulphuirc acid)
Materials/Apparatus:
Pencil, stopwatch, white paper, distilled water, 3 beakers, 3 Measuring cylinders, 0.5M sulphuric
acid (H₂SO₄), 16.0 gdm ⁻³ of Sodium thiosulphate (Na₂S₂O₃)
Method/ Procedure:
1. A cross was drawn in the middle of the white paper, using the pencil.
2. 50 cm⁻³ of (16.0 gdm-3) Sodium thiosulphate was measured using the measuring
cylinder. It was then poured into an empty beaker.
3. The beaker was centered onto the cross that was drawn prior
4. 50 cm⁻³ of 0.5M sulphuric acid was added to the beaker on the cross. The stopwatch was
started immediately after the last drop.
5. The cross was viewed through the beaker from above. The time on the watch was stopped
immediately after the cross disappeared.
6. The time was then recorded
7. The procedure was repeated 6 times.

8. The volume of sodium thiosulphate was reduced each time by 5cm-3. Water was added
to maintain the 50 cm⁻³ in the measuring cylinder at all times
9. The times were recorded and the results were tabulated.

Diagram showing apparatus set-up
Observation/Results
The mixture became cloudy, which blocked the vision of the cross from above. The color of the
substance formed at the end of the reaction was a pale yellow. This substance was in a liquid
state
Experiment Volume of acid/ Volume of Volume of Time 1/t

number cm³ thiosulphate/ cm³ water/ cm³
1 50 cm³ 50 cm³ 0 cm³ 55 seconds 1/55.12=0.018
2 50 cm³ 45 cm³ 5 cm³ 67 seconds 1/67=0.015

3 50 cm³ 40 cm³ 10 cm³ 76 seconds 1/76=0.013
4 50 cm³ 35 cm³ 15 cm³ 86 seconds 1/86=0.012
5 50 cm³ 30 cm³ 20 cm³ 112 seconds 1/112=0.009
6 50 cm³ 25 cm³ 25 cm³ 136 seconds 1/136=0.007
7 50 cm³ 20 cm³ 30 cm³ 187 secs 1/187.14= 0.005
Discussion:
Rate of reaction measures how fast a reactant is used up or how quickly a product is formed
during a chemical reaction. A higher concentration of sodium thiosulphate means more
particles are available to collide with the sulfuric acid particles, leading to more frequent
collisions and faster reaction rates. When the concentration of thiosulphate is reduced (by
adding water), the number of collisions between reactant particles decreases, causing the
reaction to slow down. This is why it takes longer for the cross to disappear when the
concentration of sodium thiosulphate is lower. The pale yellow product is sulfur
Molecular equation:
Ionic equation:
Conclusion:
As the concentration of sodium thiosulphate decreases, the rate of reaction also decreases.
Limitations/sources of errors:
 The time may have not been stopped immediately after the disappearance of the cross
 The measurements may have not been a hundred percent accurate
Precautions:
 Ensure gloves are worn
 Ensure lab coats are worn
 Ensure acid is handled with care
Reflection:
I learnt that the lower concentration of reactants, the slower the reaction rate will be.
Rate of reaction can be used when cooking. The rate of reaction determines how quickly
ingredients change. For instance, baking a cake involves chemical reactions between baking
powder and other ingredients to produce carbon dioxide, which makes the cake rise. The
temperature and time you bake the cake affect these reactions.
Treatment of Results:
C. . Explain why the cross disappears.
The cross disappears because a precipitate of sulfur (S) forms as a product of the reaction
between sodium thiosulphate and sulphuric acid. The sulfur forms a cloudy suspension in the
solution, obscuring the cross from view when the solution becomes opaque.
D. Write a balanced equation for the reaction.
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sodium thiosulphate (Na₂S₂O₃) and
sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) is:
E. Write the ionic equation for the reaction.
F. Identify the variables in the experiment. Identify the variables in the experiment.
Controlled-The volume of sulphuric acid
Manipulated- The concentration of sodium thiosulphate
Responding variable- The time it takes for the cross to disappear
G. General statement about the effect of concentration on time and reaction rate.
Based on the experimental data, as the concentration of sodium thiosulphate decreases, the time
taken for the cross to disappear increases. This indicates that the reaction rate decreases with
lower concentrations. So:
High concentration = Faster reaction rate
Low concentration = Slower reaction rate

Rates of Reaction N13 (Disappearing Cross)

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Name:Ajauni Anderson

Title: Rates of reaction

Date: October 2, 2024

7. The procedure was repeated 6 times.

9. The times were recorded and the results were tabulated.

Experiment Volume of acid/ Volume of Volume of Time 1/t

1 50 cm³ 50 cm³ 0 cm³ 55 seconds 1/55.12=0.018

2 50 cm³ 45 cm³ 5 cm³ 67 seconds 1/67=0.015

 The measurements may have not been a hundred percent accurate

 Ensure gloves are worn

 Ensure lab coats are worn

 Ensure acid is handled with care

C. . Explain why the cross disappears.

D. Write a balanced equation for the reaction.

E. Write the ionic equation for the reaction.

Controlled-The volume of sulphuric acid

Manipulated- The concentration of sodium thiosulphate

Responding variable- The time it takes for the cross to disappear

High concentration = Faster reaction rate

Low concentration = Slower reaction rate

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