What Factors Affect The Rate Of Reaction Essay

FACTORS AFFECTING RATE OF REACTION.

Understanding how Factors affect the Rate of Reactions between Hydrochloric Acid and Magnesium.

Osama Hanif Khimani

Sunway College

Chemistry

SCH4U

Ms. Kimberley Gagnon

16th September 2014

Introduction

There are various factors that can affect the rate of the chemical reaction. According to Helmenstine (n.d.) in general such factors would increase the frequency of collisions amongst particles which will then increase the rate of reaction. Similarly, such factors would decrease the frequency of collisions amongst particles which will then decrease the rate of reaction. This information is obtained by analysing the chemical kinetics of a reaction which depend on various factors: reactant concentrations, temperature, physical states and surface areas of reactants, and

Three test tubes were taken and separately filled with 10 mL of 1.0 Mol. hydrochloric acid. The experiment was initiated by inserting 1 cm magnesium strips in different forms to change the surface area. The first strip was inserted in the form of slivers. The second strip was rolled up and inserted in the test tube and the third strip was inserted as it is. The results are mentioned in table 2 and can be shown on the graph (figure 2). From the graph it can be noted that as the magnesium strip reacted with hydrochloric acid in the form of slivers, it took 269 seconds to completely react. As the surface area was decreased and the magnesium strip was rolled up and reacted with hydrochloric acid it took 127 seconds for magnesium to completely react and when the magnesium strip was put as it is, it took 93 seconds to react. The graph clearly indicates that as the surface area was decreased the rate of reaction increased. This is a contradiction because according to research “Increasing the surface area of a solid reactant increases the reaction rate.” (“Factors Affecting Reaction Rates,”