Investigating the Rate of Reaction of Calcium Carbonate Chips

Investigating the Rate of Reaction of Calcium Carbonate Chips

Introduction:

-------------

In the reaction between calcium carbonate (marble chips) and

hydrochloric acid a reaction occurs and the gas carbon dioxide

escapes.

In this experiment we are aiming to investigate how the rates of

reaction of small and large marble chips change. We will be looking

at both surface area and concentration.

The experiment is done by reacting the CaCO3 with hydrochloric acid

whilst a balance records any change in mass during the set amount of

time.

The speed of the reaction can be measured by measuring how quickly the

carbon dioxide escapes and this is done by weighing the contents of

the beaker. When the two are mixed together calcium chloride water and

carbon dioxide are produced as shown below in the equation of the

reaction:

[IMAGE]Calcium Carbonate + Hydrochloric acid Calcium chloride

+ Carbon dioxide + Water

[IMAGE]CaCO3 + HCL CaCl2 + CO2+ H2O

This experiment is done by conducting the reaction in an open flask on

a balance. Readings will be taken from the balance every 60 seconds,

then from those readings we will be able to plot a graph showing loss

of mass against time. Then another set of graphs will be done showing

the gradient of the slope, which shows us the rate of the reaction.

Scientific Knowledge

There are various ways in which the rate of a reaction can be altered

and in our experiment we are only looking at two. The others include:

1) Raising the Temperature. A raise in temperature can cause the

particles to move faster meaning there is a greater chance of a

collision occurring.

2) Increasing the Pressure of the gas. Increasing the pressure of a

reaction where the reactant is a gas is similar to increasing the

concentration. A gas at higher pressure will have more particles per

dm3 of the gas.