Investigation to find out if changes in concentration of acid affect the rate of a chemical reaction

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Investigation to find out if changes in concentration of acid affect the rate of a chemical reaction

PLANNING –

Title – Investigation to find out if changes in concentration of acid affect the rate of a chemical reaction.

Introduction – The rate of reaction can be defined as the speed at which a reaction takes place. The rate of reaction tells us how quickly a chemical reaction has happened. There are many things that can affect the rate of reaction, (some of these are shown in figure 1 below.) In this coursework I am going to investigate what effect the change in acid concentration has on a chemical reaction. I will do this through a series of experiments, where I will change the concentration of hydrochloric acid by mixing it with water. I will measure the reaction by recording the amount of gas given off in 60 seconds for each experiment. I plan to keep the total amount of liquid used in the experiments at a constant 20ml. This way I can measure the concentration of the acid I use each time.

Aim – To find out if the rate of reaction is effected by the concentration of an acid.

Variables – I have decided to focus on the effect concentration of acid has on the rate of reaction. To get accurate results, I have to make sure all my experiments are run fairly. To achieve this I will keep all my variables constant, except the one I’m investigating, the concentration of the acid.

The temperature, equipment and amount of substances I use will be kept the same for all my experiments. I will also make sure the substances
I use are all prepared in the same way before each experiment. This will avoid change in surface area. (E.g. I wont crush a substance one time and keep It whole the next) In all my experiments I will keep the magnesium whole. To control the temperature of the acid, I will use a thermometer to monitor it and make sure the temperature is the same for each experiment I do. (this will most likely be at room temp. around 27degrees.) All my equipment will be kept identical to any other one of my experiments, and I will use the same size measuring cylinder (20ml) to measure out the acid and water.

The concentration of the acid is the only variable I will change throughout my investigation. I will do this by weakening the solution with water, starting with a very acidic solution and gradually diluting it. This will be done by measuring the water and acid in the

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