Austin Community College Chemistry

Saul Sanchez Experiment 8

Title: Rates of Chemical Reactions, II. A Clock Reaction

Goal: To determine the rate-law expression for:
6 I- (aq) + BrO3- (aq) + 6 H+ (aq) _____
> 3 I2 (aq) + Br- (aq) + 3 H2O (l) (rxn 1)

Where: rate = k[I-]m[BrO3-]n[H+]p

We will evaluate m, n, p, and k

In this experiment the only colored compound is I2 - it is typically brown, but in the presence of starch, it
is blue. We will measure the rate of its formation. However, as soon as the reaction starts, we would see
color appear immediately, making measurement of the reaction rate difficult. To determine the reaction
rate, we will introduce a chemical clock. The clock will delay the formation of I 2, and hence the formation
of color in the solution.

I2 + 2 S2O32- _____
> 2 I- + S4O62- (rxn 2)

Reaction 2 is fast compared to the reaction in reaction 1. Hence, the rate of this second reaction depends
on the rate of reaction 1. If the [S2O32-] is very low, it will run out first, and once gone, we will see the
formation of the blue color due to I2 and starch.

The time required for appearance of the blue color is the same as the time required for S 2O32- to disappear,
which in turn depends on the rate of reaction 1. This is how the rate of reaction 1 is determined.

Reaction rate calculation is modified as follows:

Rate = 1000/t t = time in seconds for blue color to appear

Reaction Mixture at Room Temperature (Reagent volume in mL)

Reaction Reaction flask I (250 mL) Reaction Flask II (125 mL)
Mixture 0.010 M KI 0.0010 M Na2S2O3 H2O 0.040 M KBrO3 0.10 M HCl
1 10 10 10 10 10
2 20 10 0 10 10
3 10 10 0 20 10
4 10 10 0 10 20
5 8 10 12 5 15
 Austin Community College Chemistry

Procedure:
Part A:
1) Use a 10-mL graduated cylinder to measure volumes, measure out 10 mL 0.0010 M
Na2S2O3, and 10 mL distilled water into a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask (Reaction Flask I)
2) Measure out 10 mL 0.040 M KBrO3 and 10 nL 0.10 M HCl into a 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask
(Reaction Flask II).
3) To Flask II add three or four drops of starch indicator solution.
4) Pour contents of of Reaction Flask II into Reaction Flask I and swirl the solutions to mix
them thoroughly. It should turn blue in less than 2 minutes.
5) Note the time at the instant that the blue color appears. Record the temperature of the blue
solution to 0.2 degree C
6) Repeat the procedure with the other mixtures in Table 21.1. Do not forget to add the
indicator before mixing the solutions in the two flasks.
7) The reaction flask should be rinsed with distilled water in between runs. Rinse the
graduated cylinder Try to keep the temperature just about the same in all the runs.

Part B:
1) We will take time at about 20 degres C to be that for Reaction Mixture I as
determined at room temperature.
2) Put the flasks into water at 40 degrees C proceed as follows. Make up Reaction
Mixture I as you did in Part A, including the indicator.
3) instead of mixing the solutions into two flask at room temperature put the flasks into
water at 40 degrees C, draw from the hot-water tap into one or more large beakers.
4) Mix the two solutions, nothing the time mixing. Continue swirling the reaction flask.
5) Repeat the experiment at about 10 degrees C cooling all the reactants in water at that
temperature before starting the reaction.
6) Record the time required for the color to change and the final temperature of the
reaction mixture.
7) Repeat once again at about 0 degree C, this time using an ice-water bath to cool the
reactants.