Chemistry B3 – Unit 5: Acids and Bases

THE EFFECT OF THE

CONCENTRATION OF
HYDROCHLORIC ACID ON
THE RATE OF REACTION
Dev Verma

Abstract:
The experiment was conducted on the 10th of March, 2017. The research question for this
experiment was the effect of concentration of hydrochloric acid on its reaction with
magnesium and the rate at which water is displaced by 45ml. This experiment uses the water
displacement method to observe the hydrogen that is produced from a reaction between
hydrochloric acid and magnesium. The hypothesis for this experiment was that ‘as the molar
concentration of hydrochloric acid increases, the rate of the reaction with magnesium also
increases provided the temperature, surface area and other influential factors are kept the
same.’ The independent variable for this experiment was the concentration of hydrochloric
acid and the dependent variable was the time it takes for water to get displaced by 45ml.
The experiment yielded results that matched the hypothesis and the graph made from the
raw data showed an overall negative correlation between the time taken for the reaction to
take place and the concentration of hydrochloric acid. The lab report concludes with the
agreement between the hypothesis and the conclusion that is achieved by this experiment.
Chemistry Rate of Reaction Dev Verma

MARCH 10, 2017

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Chemistry Rate of Reaction Dev Verma

Criterion B: Inquiring and Designing

Introduction:

This experiment explores the effect of the concentration of Hydrochloric acid which reacts with
magnesium on the production of hydrogen gas. The concept that this experiment investigates
is the rate of reaction, and whether changing the concentration of one of the reactants also
increases the rate at which the products are formed. This experiment uses the water
displacement method to measure the rate at which water is displaced due to the production of
hydrogen gas. The experimental setup uses common apparatus so that it is easy to follow and
repeat. The nitty-gritty of the experiment is explained in the following sections.

Research Question:

How does the concentration of hydrochloric acid affect the rate at which the reaction takes
place with magnesium to produce hydrogen gas, if the temperature and other factors are kept
the same?

Background Information:

The rate at which a chemical reaction occurs is defined as the time it takes for the concentration
of the reactants to decrease and the concentration of products to increase.1 This experiment
uses hydrochloric acid as the first reactant, and magnesium as the second reactant.
Hydrochloric acid is a simple acid that is formed via the covalent bonding of a single molecule
of hydrogen and chlorine. It is a strong acid that is also produced naturally in the stomach as
gastric acid, and it is required in the process
of digestion2. Magnesium is the 12th element
on the periodic table, a lustrous gray metal
with 12 protons and 12 neutrons in its neutral
state. Its 12 electrons reside in three s2
orbitals.
Figure 1 - Measuring the volume of an irregular object.
Source: MacGillivray, Ken. "Ken MacGillivray - Lecture Notes,
Chemistry and Measurement." Ken MacGillivray - Lecture
Notes, Chemistry and Measurement. Ken MacGillivray, n.d.
Web. 05 Mar. 2017.

1
Laidler, Keith J. "Reaction Rate." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 06 May 2008.
Web. 05 Mar. 2017
2
Writer, Leaf Group. "HCL Acid in Stomach." Healthy Eating. SF Gate, 19 Sept. 2012. Web. 05 Mar. 2017.

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Chemistry Rate of Reaction Dev Verma

The experiment makes use of the water displacement method,

which is used to measure the volume of irregularly shaped
objects3, as shown in the image on the last page.4 It can also
be used to collect gas that is released as a product of a
reaction, as shown in the diagram on the right.5 This
arrangement is called a pneumatic trough5. The gas that is
produced pushes the water and gets collected on the top of
the water, thus ‘displacing’ water downward. The volume
of the gas can be calculated using the scale of either the
case that is holding the water (i.e. graduated cylinder) or
a calibrated scale. Nevertheless, there are many factors
Figure 2 - Measuring collected gas. Source:
involved! Because water is always in equilibrium with Libretexts. "6.3: Dalton's Law." Chemistry
its vapor, the gas that is collected is a collection of the LibreTexts. Libretexts, 24 Feb. 2017. Web. 04
product and H2O vapor. To calculate the pressure that is Mar. 2017.
exerted on the water, one uses Dalton’s Law of Partial
Pressures5, which states that the total pressure that is exerted on a substance is the sum of the
pressures exerted by each of the gas molecules in the gas. This is beyond the scope of this
laboratory experiment, and thus this report won’t talk much about that principle.

Aim:

The aim of this laboratory report is to experiment and test whether a higher concentration of a
reactant influences the rate of reaction. This experiment makes use of the reactants
hydrochloric acid and magnesium and measures the time that it takes for the reaction to take
place and produce hydrogen. The hydrogen that is produced is measured via the water
displacement method. The hydrogen displaces 45ml of water across the experiment, and thus
this is a constant.

Hypothesis:

As the molar concentration of hydrochloric acid increases, the rate of the reaction with
magnesium also increases provided the temperature, surface area and other influential factors
are kept the same.

3
"Finding Volume: The Water Displacement Method." Finding Volume—The Water Displacement Method |
Chapter 3: Density | Middle School Chemistry. ACS Chemistry for Life, n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2017.
4
MacGillivray, Ken. "Ken MacGillivray - Lecture Notes, Chemistry and Measurement." Ken MacGillivray -
Lecture Notes, Chemistry and Measurement. Ken MacGillivray, n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2017.
5
Libretexts. "6.3: Dalton's Law." Chemistry LibreTexts. Libretexts, 24 Feb. 2017. Web. 05 Mar. 2017.

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Chemistry Rate of Reaction Dev Verma

Scientific Reasoning:

The scientific principle that supports my hypothesis is the Collision Theory6. The collision
theory states that for a reaction to occur, the atoms or molecules need to collide. It is important
to note that not all collisions result in a chemical reaction. For a chemical reaction to take place,
the reactants need to collide with a minimum internal energy that is equal to the activation
energy of the reaction.7 Along with that, the colliding atoms or molecules should have a specific
orientation to be able to react. Thus, per the collision theory, the rate of reaction is equal to the
frequency of effective collisions. In gases, the degree of accuracy – by the application of the
kinetic theory – of the calculations of molecular or atomic collisions falls within the uncertainty
boundaries, and because of this reason, this theory only applies to gas – phase reactions.

Variables:

Variable Name Control

Independent Concentration of The concentration of the
Hydrochloric Acid. hydrochloric acid will be
pre-prepared by the lab
assistants and they are to be
of molarities 0.5, 1, 1.5 and
2.
Dependent Time, it takes for water to The water will displace at a
displace downward by 45ml. certain rate which is the rate
of production of the
Hydrogen gas. Higher the
rate, lesser the time required
for water to displace
downward by 45ml.
Controlled Displacement of water, The time that it takes for
Mass of Magnesium strips, water to displace downward
Surface area of the by 45ml will be recorded
magnesium strips, across the experiment.
Temperature of the water, The mass of the magnesium
Initial temperature of the strips will be kept constant
concentrated acids, at 0.08 ± 0.02 grams.
Initial volume of water. The surface area will also be
kept the same. The 5cm long
and 0.5cm wide magnesium
ribbon will be folded in half
twice.

6
Chemistry Class Notes.
7
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Collision Theory." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia
Britannica, Inc., 20 July 1998. Web. 06 Mar. 2017.

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Chemistry Rate of Reaction Dev Verma

The temperature of the water

and the concentrated acids
will be at room temperature.
The initial volume inside the
graduated cylinder will be
~250ml ± 2ml.

Apparatus:

 Required: 5cm * 0.5cm magnesium ribbon X 12; Extra: 3 ribbons.

 Required: Large open water container/trough (diameter: 30cm +, height: ~15cm).

 Required: 60ml of 0.5M Hydrochloric acid; Extra: 60ml extra in case of errors.

 Required: 60ml of 1M Hydrochloric acid; Extra: 60ml extra in case of errors.

 Required: 60ml of 1.5M Hydrochloric acid; Extra: 60ml extra in case of errors.

 Required: 60ml of 2M Hydrochloric acid; Extra: 60ml extra in case of errors.

 Required: Steady source of water (cannot be determined quantitatively).

 Required: Weighing machine.

 Required: 25-30ml graduated cylinder.

 Required: 250ml graduated cylinder.

 Required: Stopwatch.

 Required: Small china stool (height ~5cm) with a hole in the middle.

 Required: Conical flask.

 Required: Cork.

 Required: Clamp.

 Required: Glass delivery tube.

 Required: Safety goggles.

 Required: Gloves.

 Required: Lab coat.

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Chemistry Rate of Reaction Dev Verma

Formula and Key Terms:

1. 2HCl + 2Mg  2MgCl + H2. The chemical equation shows that 2 molecules of
hydrochloric acid will react with 2 molecules of magnesium to form 2 molecules of
magnesium chloride and a diatomic hydrogen molecule.
2. Displacement: The distance between the final point and the initial point.
3. Rate of reaction: The time that it takes for the concentration of reactants to decrease
and the concentration of the products to increase.

Method:

1. Take the water trough and fill it 90% to the top.

2. Place the clamp behind the trough.
3. Place the china stool inside the water trough.
4. Insert the smaller end of the delivery tube into the china stool, and the other into the
cork.
5. Take a magnesium strip, and fold it in half twice. Be careful while folding; the
magnesium strip may break into two separate pieces.
6. Take the 25-30ml graduated cylinder and measure 20ml of 0.5M Hydrochloric acid
using it.
7. Pour the 20ml of 0.5M Hydrochloric acid into the washed conical flask.
8. Fill the 250ml graduated cylinder to the brim, then place your hand over it and turn
it upside down.
9. Dip the back of your hand into the trough and make sure that the mouth of the
cylinder is also submerged. Remove your hand.
10. Move the cylinder over the mouth of the delivery tube and place it on the china
stool.
11. Using the clamp placed behind, tighten the upside down graduated cylinder.
12. Your experimental setup should look like this8:

Figure 3 - Experimental Setup. Source: Clicked by myself.

8
Image clicked by myself.

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Chemistry Rate of Reaction Dev Verma

13. Drop the magnesium piece and quickly close the flask with the cork. Also, start
the stopwatch.
14. Wait till the water displaces by 45ml, and then stop the stopwatch.
15. Note down the time that is displayed.
16. Empty the 250ml graduated cylinder.
17. Wash the conical flask.
18. Wash the 25-30ml graduated cylinder.
19. Repeat steps 5 – 18 for 1M, 1.5M and 2M of hydrochloric acid.
20. Record the times in the sample data table provided.
21. Repeat steps 19 – 20 so to obtain three trials.
22. Experiment completed.

SAMPLE DATA TABLE AS MENTIONED IN THE METHOD

Molar
Reading 1 (seconds, Reading 2 (seconds, Reading 3 (seconds,
Concentration of
±0.1s) ±0.1s) ±0.1s)
Hydrochloric Acid

0.5M

1.0M

1.5M

2.0M

Safety Method:

 Avoid direct contact with the hydrochloric acid, and thus use gloves for this purpose.
Acids are corrosive to skin!
 Wear a lab coat to prevent any kind of stains.
 Use safety goggles to prevent any acid or fumes to enter the eyes.
 Do not inhale the strong fumes released from the reaction after opening the conical
flask.

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Chemistry Rate of Reaction Dev Verma

Criterion C: Processing and Evaluating

Results:

Molar
Reading 1 (seconds, Reading 2 (seconds, Reading 3 (seconds,
Concentration of
±0.1s) ±0.1s) ±0.1s)
Hydrochloric Acid

0.5M 46.00 37.25 40.28

1.0M 36.00 32.81 42.54

1.5M 28.34 25.63 22.28

2.0M 17.18 11.59 17.90

Data Presentation:

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Chemistry Rate of Reaction Dev Verma

Analyzing Raw Data:

The data above shows that as the molar concentration of hydrochloric acid increases, the time
taken for water to displace by 45ml decreases. It shows that the concentration of hydrochloric
acid in moles is indirectly proportional to the time that it takes for the reactants to react and
produce hydrogen gas as the product. This relationship can be shown via the following
1
equation: 𝐶𝐻𝐶𝑙 ∝ 𝑇. The arrow bars represent the uncertainty range of the experiment and it is
of ± 0.1s.
Also, reading 1 and reading 2 are closely similar, and when one looks at the graph, it seems as
if the same points have been shifted downward by some number. On the contrary, reading 3
has a very drastic rate of change of slope (second derivative). This could have been caused by
multiple factors; It can be, that while conducting the experiment, the experimenter was not very
careful with the timings or with the initial volume of the water inside the 250ml graduated
cylinder.
Nevertheless, by just looking at the graph, one can easily decipher that the concentration of
hydrochloric acid is inversely proportional to the time that it takes for the reaction.

Processing the Data:

Data Table:

Molar concentration of hydrochloric acid Average of all the readings (± 0.3

seconds)
0.5M 41.18
1M 37.12
1.5M 25.42
2M 15.56

(THE GRAPH IS ON THE NEXT PAGE)

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Chemistry Rate of Reaction Dev Verma

Graph:

Discussion:

The graph above shows the average values of all the readings for each of the molar
concentrations. One can clearly see three intervals in this graph, where the curve decreases
greatly. The relation can be approximated as a function too, with three separate cases for the
three intervals:
𝑓(𝑥) = −8.12𝑥 + 45.24 ∀ 0.5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1.0
𝑓(𝑥) = −23.4𝑥 + 48.82 ∀ 1.0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1.5
𝑓(𝑥) = −19.72𝑥 + 35.28 ∀ 1.0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1.5
From the functions, one can see that the second interval has the highest derivative of the time
taken for a reaction to complete as a function of the molarity of the acid. Though these functions
are approximations of the real graph, they are close, and thus, they can be used to show the
trends in this graph. The uncertainty range makes up for the error that can be caused by the
measurement of the experimenter, and even after including the errors, one can still see a
constant trend: As the concentration of hydrochloric acid increases, the time for the reaction
decreases, which means that the rate of reaction increases.

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Chemistry Rate of Reaction Dev Verma

Conclusion/Analysis:

From the above observations, a clear trend is observed which indicates that the increase in the
concentration of hydrochloric acid causes the rate of reaction to increase, and the time required
for the reaction to decrease. Scientifically speaking, this is what happens per the collision
theory. As mentioned in the section titled ‘Scientific Reasoning,’ the collision theory states that
the rate of reaction in an experiment is determined by the frequency of successful collisions.
Successful collisions are those collisions in which the reactants are at the correct orientation
and have a minimum internal energy for the reaction to successfully occur. By increasing either
of the reactants we increase the probability of successful reactions.
From the experiment’s observations, we reach a conclusive result that by increasing the
molarity of hydrochloric acid, we increase the rate at which hydrogen is produced. This
indicates that as we increase the concentration of hydrochloric acid and keep the other reactant
the same, there are more hydrochloric acid molecules to interact with the magnesium atoms to
produce magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas. As we increase the molarity, the products are
formed more quickly.
Thus, I accept my hypothesis, that ‘as the molar concentration of hydrochloric acid increases,
the rate of the reaction with magnesium also increases provided the temperature, surface area
and other influential factors are kept the same.’

Evaluation (Lab Report):

Limitations
This laboratory experiment doesn’t measure
the amount of the product formed
(magnesium chloride), but the by-product
(hydrogen gas) that is released from the
chemical reaction of hydrochloric acid and
magnesium.
This experiment uses 25-30ml graduated
cylinder to measure the accurate quantities
of hydrochloric acid.
The water inside the graduated cylinder
(250ml) was not always the same. This can
affect the experiment, because if there is
more space at the top of the graduated
cylinder initially, then the time taken for the
water to be displaced by 45ml would be
inaccurate.
The experiment made use of normal tap
water, and that contains some molecules
that are unnecessary and extra. They may
Improvement
Could use laboratory weighing machine
throughout the experiment and set the mass
of the conical flask as zero. When the water
has been displaced by 45ml, both the time
that is taken for water to do so along with
the mass of the substance inside the conical
flask could be recorded.
Could have used biuret for much accurate
measurements of hydrochloric acid used for
this experiment.
Ensure the initial volume of water before
beginning the reaction.
The solution for this problem is to use
distilled water across all trials and readings.

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Chemistry Rate of Reaction Dev Verma

can impact the results of the experiment, as

the other product/by – product may bond
with the molecules present in tap water.
Cleaning of the delivery tube after each Clean the delivery tube after each trial or
experiment. If not done (as in the case of reading.
this experiment), the results may be
inaccurate as some of the hydrogen that is
left from the previous reaction may add up
to the next reaction, which may provide
results that are not desired or are inaccurate
and imprecise.

Bibliography:

Laidler, Keith J. "Reaction Rate." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.,

06 May 2008. Web. 05 Mar. 2017
2
Writer, Leaf Group. "HCL Acid in Stomach." Healthy Eating. SF Gate, 19 Sept. 2012. Web.
05 Mar. 2017.
3
"Finding Volume: The Water Displacement Method." Finding Volume—The Water
Displacement Method | Chapter 3: Density | Middle School Chemistry. ACS Chemistry for
Life, n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2017.
4
MacGillivray, Ken. "Ken MacGillivray - Lecture Notes, Chemistry and Measurement." Ken
MacGillivray - Lecture Notes, Chemistry and Measurement. Ken MacGillivray, n.d. Web. 05
Mar. 2017.
5
Libretexts. "6.3: Dalton's Law." Chemistry LibreTexts. Libretexts, 24 Feb. 2017. Web. 05
Mar. 2017.
6
Chemistry Class Notes.
7
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Collision Theory." Encyclopædia Britannica.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 July 1998. Web. 06 Mar. 2017.
8
Image clicked by myself.

END OF LAB REPORT

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