OBJECTIVE

 To determine the initial rate for iodine from experimental data.

 To determine the activation energy for iodine clock.

SUMMARY

This experiment was carried out at the temperature of 30⁰C, 40⁰C, 50⁰C, 60⁰C, and
70⁰C between the solution that contained potassium iodide (KI) and sodium thiosulphate
with the solution that contained potassium peroxydisulphate(K2S2O8). This experiment was
conducted to find initial rate and the activation energy. The time taken for the solution to turn
to dark yellow were recorded to calculate the activation energy. Based on the results, the
higher the temperature the higher the rate of reaction. From the results, a graph of ln 1/time
against 1/Temperature is plotted. The gradient of the straight line graph equals to to the
activation energy, Ea divided by the molar gas constant, R. Thus, the activation energy of the
reaction is calculated. The aim of the experiment is to know how long the time for the iodide
concentration will remain throughout the whole reaction.

There were some errors occurred during the experiment which makes the result were
slightly inaccurate. Firstly, the stopwatch was not stopped at the same time the solution turn
to dark yellow so the time taken obtained was not accurate. Next, the eyes must be
perpendicular to the meniscus level of the apparatus to avoid parallax error. Lastly the usage
of glass rod to stir the solution must not mixed with other solution to avoid contamination.
INTRODUCTION

Peroxydisulphate ions are one of a type of powerful oxidizing agents, and it reacts with
iodide ions to form iodine :

S2O82- (aq) + 2 I- (aq) → 2 SO42- (aq) + I2 (aq)

The reaction rate is depends on the concentration of the peroxydisulphate and iodide
ions. The rate of reaction will appear to depend only on peroxydisulphate ions’ concentration
if the concentration of iodide is much higher than peroxydisulphate. This is because it makes
the concentration of iodide becomes harder to change during the experiment. The rate law is
as follows :

_ d[S2O82-] = k`[S2O82-] ….(1)

dt

Where k` , is known as the pseudo-first-order rate constant for the reaction. This will be done
by manipulating the concentration of iodide ion.

Using this equation (integration of equation (1)) :

ln (a0/a) = k`t ….(2)

The change in concentration of S2O82- with time can be monitored based on the principle.
Then the rate constant can be calculated. An indicator is used to show the speed of reaction
proceedings. Suppose that t is the time taken for a fraction of S2O82- to be used up; the
concentration of S2O82- will fall from a0 to a0(1-E). The substitution into equation (2) will be :
 T - 1/k` ln (1/ 1-E) ….(3)

The rate constant is inversely proportional to the time, t, for a fraction E of the reaction to
occur. By varying the condition of the reaction and observing the time take for a fixed
amount of peroxydisulphate to react, the rate contant changes can be determined.

Graph 1 : Graph of rate reaction against time taken for the reaction to occur.

A : Rate constant , B : Time for a fraction E of the reaction to occur

According to Arrhenius Equation, the rate constant (k) for any reaction varies with
absolute temperature (T). Hence :

k = A exp [ -E/RT] ….(4)

ln k = ln A - E/RT ….(5)

Where E is the activation energy of the reaction, R is the molar gas constant (8.314 J/mol.K
and A is the frequency of collision between reacting molecules. The constant (k) is directly
proportional to 1/T.
 Graph 2 : Graph of ln k against 1/T (K)

A : ln k, B : 1/T (K)

A clock reaction is a chemical reaction which produce a significant induction

period during which, has a very low concentration. The end of the induction period makes a
rapid increase in concentration of the clock chemical. This rapid growth can produce
remarkable effects experimentally such as colour changes of the solution. One particular
reaction even produces a flash of light. (Preece et al,1987).

For determination of activation energy of iodine clock, thiosulphate ions (S2O32-) were used
as the clocking reagent, because it can reduce the I2 back to I-.

2 S2O32- (aq) + I2 (aq) → S4O62- (aq) + 2 I- (aq)

As long as there is thiosulphate ion is present, none of the iodine produced will remains since
it is consumed as quickly as it is produced. As soon as the thiosulphate is used up, iodine will
begin to appear in the solution which makes the dark brown solution appears. (CHEM 122L)
MATERIALS

0.2 M Potassium Iodide (KI) solution, 0.05 M Sodium Thiosulphate (Na2S2O3) solution, 0.1
M Potassium Peroxydisulphate (K2S2O8) solution, Iodine Indicator, Water Bath (30ºC, 40ºC,
50ºC, 60ºC and 70ºC).

APPARATUS

Beaker, Pipette, 10 Test Tubes, Thermometer, Glass Rod, Wooden Tong.

PROCEDURE

1. Part A : Five test tubes were obtained and were labelled as A-30ºC, A-40ºC, A-50ºC, A-
60ºC and A-70ºC. 5 ml of 0.05 M sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3) and 10 ml of 0.2 M
potassium iodide (KI) were pipetted into each of the test tube.

2. Part B : Another five test tubes were obtained and were labelled as B-30ºC, B-40ºC, B-
50ºC, B-60ºC and B-70ºC. 10 ml of 0.1 M potassium peroxydisulphate (K2S2O8) were
pipetted in each of the test tube, and 5 drops of iodine indicator were dropped into the test
tubes respectively.

3. All test tubes (from part A and B) were heated in the respective water baths. The contents
of the test tubes were allowed to reach the temperature of the water baths. A thermometer
was used to monitor the temperature.

4. The contents of test tube in Part A was poured into the test tube in Part B once the
temperatures reached the point. The timer was started immediately after the mixing. The
mixture was stirred using a glass rod until the colourless solution turns to dark yellow. The
time was recorded in a proper table.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Temperature (°C) Temperature (K) 1/T (K) Time, t (s) 1

𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
30 303.15 0.0033 282.17 0.0035
40 313.15 0.0032 123.70 0.0081
50 323.15 0.0031 81.58 0.0123
60 333.15 0.0030 37.63 0.0266
70 343.15 0.0029 21.50 0.0465

Table 1.1

1/T (K) ln 1/𝑡

0.0033 −5.642
0.0032 −4.818
0.0031 −4.401
0.0030 −3.628
0.0029 −3.068

Table 1.2

ln 1/time (s) againts 1/T (K)

0
0.0033 0.0032 0.0031 0.003 0.0029

-1

-2

y = 0.6338x - 6.2128
ln 1/t (s) -3

-4

-5

-6
1/T (K)

Graph 1.2
 In this experiment the initial rate and the activation energy for iodine clock was
measured. First of all, five test tubes were obtained and labelled as A-30°C, A-40°C, A-50°C,
A-60°C and A-70°C. 5 ml of 0.05 M sodium thiosulphate (Na2S203) and 10 ml of 0.2 M
potassium iodide (KI) were mixed into each of the test tube. Next, another five test tubes
were obtained and labelled as B-30°C, B-40°C, B-50°C, B-60°C and B-70°C. 10 ml of 0.1 M
potassium peroxydisulphate (K2S208) was pipetted and 5 drops of iodine indicator was
dropped in each of the test tube. After that, all the test tubes from part A and part B were
heated in the water bath. Then, the contents of test tube in Part A were poured into the test
tube in Part B after 5 minutes. The timer immediately started after mixing the solution and
stirred the mixture using glass rod until the colourless solution turn to dark yellow.

When solution in Part A and Part B were mixed peroxydisulphate ions which is the
powerful oxidizing agents react with iodide ions to form iodine. As stated above, 0.1 M of
potassium peroxydisulphate (K2S208) and 0.2 M potassium iodide (KI) were used. It shows
that the concentration of potassium iodide (KI) is higher than the concentration of potassium
peroxydisulphate (K2S208). So, if the concentration of iodide is higher than peroxydisulphate,
the concentration of iodide is difficult to change as in the mixture contained sodium
thiosulphate which act to maintain the concentration of iodide from turn to iodine. However,
as the time goes by the volume of sodium thiosulphate used was finished so the iodide will
still turned into iodine. This was proved when the solution turned from colourless to dark
yellow
At temperature 30°C the time taken recorded for the solution to turn from colourless
to dark yellow was 282.17 second while at temperature of 70°C the time taken recorded for
the solution to turn from colourless to dark yellow was 21.50 second. Based on the result, it
shows that temperature affects the rate of reaction. The higher the temperature the faster the
time taken for the solution to turn from colourless to dark yellow. Graph 1.2 shows the ln
1/time (seconds) against 1/Temperature (Kelvin). The graph was not perfectly linear because
there was an error occurred during experiment. The error that occurred during the experiment
was when the stopwatch was not stopped at the same time the colour of the solution turned to
dark yellow so the actual time taken for the solution to turn to dark yellow could not be
obtained.
 After the graph had been plotted, the value of the gradient must be finding to calculate
the activation energy. As stated in the graph 1.2 y = 0.6638x- 6.212. The equation for the
straight line graph is y = mx + c. M represents the value of the gradient hence the value of the
gradient for the graph is 0.6638. The calculation for the activation energy is shown below:

ln k = ln A - E ln k = m - E = 5.5188
R ln k = 0.6638 E = -5.5188

m = 0.6638 -E = 0.6638 E = - 5518.8 KJ / mol

R = 8.314 J/mol.K 8.314 J/mol.K

The value of the activation energy obtained is – 5.5188. As there was an error occurred
during experiment the value of the activation energy obtained is not accurate. Precaution step
must be taken in order to avoid mistakes during experiment. Firstly, eyes must be
perpendicular to the meniscus level of the apparatus to avoid parallax error. Next, when
taking the time taken for the solution to turn to dark yellow the stopwatch must be stop at the
same time as the colour of the solution changed in order to get the accurate value so that the
actual value of the activation energy could be obtained. Lastly, the usage of glass rod to stir
the solutions also need to be done carefully because if the solution mixed it will affect the
result hence the accurate value could not be obtained.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

In conclusion, the experiment was carried out to find out the effect of temperature in
activation energy and initial rate of iodine clock. When the solution in 30⁰C, the time taken
for the solution which is mixture of solution A and B will turn to dark yellowish is 282.17s
while the time taken for the solution turns to dark yellowish in 40⁰C is 123.70s. When the
temperature is 50⁰C, the time taken for the colour of solution turn to dark yellowish is 81.58s
and when the temperature of the solution is 60⁰C, the time taken is 37.61s. Lastly, when the
temperature of the mixture A and B in 70⁰C, the time taken for the solution turns to dark
yellowish is 21.50s. It shows that the higher the temperature the higher the time taken for the
solutions to turn to dark yellow. The graph ln 1/time against 1/Temperature is plotted. The
graph was not perfectly linear as there is an error occurred during experiment. Stopwatch was
not stopped at the same time the solution turn to dark yellow causing the value is not accurate
hence the graph was not perfectly linear. The activation energy, Ea is calculated from the
gradient of the straight line graph of ln 1/time against 1/Temperature which is found to be

-5518.8 KJ/mol

There are several ways that can be used to prevent from the errors happen when the
experiment is conducted. Firstly, the student must quickly press the stop button on the
stopwatch once the solution changed its colour to dark yellowish. The delay from the student
to press the button will make the result not accurate. To prevent the delay, at least two
stopwatch must be used to take the reading and use the average as the result. Next, the eyes
must be perpendicular to the meniscus level of the apparatus to avoid parallax error. Lastly
the usage of glass rod to stir the solutions also need to be done carefully because if the
solution mixed it will affect the result hence the accurate value could not be obtained.
PRE-LAB QUESTIONS

1. Define the terms below:

a) Initial rate
Initial rate of reaction is the rate at which the reagents are first brought together.
b) Activation energy
The minimum quantity of energy that the reacting species must possess in order to
undergo a specified reaction.

2. Explain the purpose of using water baths in this experiment.

A water bath is a laboratory equipment made from a container filled with heated
water. It is used to incubate samples in water at a constant temperature over a long
period of time. All water baths have a digital or an analogue interface to allow users
to set a desired temperature.

POST-LAB QUESTION

1. Discuss the methodology needs to remain the iodide concentration. Use evidence
from the experimental method as well as the obtained results to justify the
argument.
The concentration of the iodide must be higher than the concentration of
peroxydisulphate so that it will not easily change during the reaction occurs. Based on
the procedure, it is stated that the concentration of Potassium Iodide (KI) is higher than
Sodium Thiosulphate (Na2S2O3). The KI used was 0.2M while the Na2S2O3 used was
0.05M .
REFERENCE

S.J.Preece, J.Billingham and A.C.King. (1999) Journal of Mathematical Chemistry 0.

Retrived from https://www.maths.nottingham.ac.uk/personal/jb/clock.pdf

CHEM 122L. General Chemistry Laboratory, Revision 2.0. Retrived from

https://infohost.nmt.edu/~jaltig/ClockRxnKinetics.pdf