LIGHTSTICK KINETICS

From Advancing Science, Gettysburg College

INTRODUCTION: General background on rate, activation energy, absolute temperature, and

graphing.
THE RATE LAW: The rate of a chemical reaction is generally expressed by the rate law:
Rate = k[A]a[B]b

[A] and [B] are the concentrations of the reactants in mol/L

a and b are experimentally determined exponents in the rate equation

k is the experimentally determined rate constant that is reaction- and temperaturedependent

TEMPERATURE EFFECTS: Temperature exerts a significant effect on the rate of a chemical

reaction. Increasing the temperature

increases the average speed of the molecules, thereby increasing the collision rate between
the reacting molecules

increases the fraction of the reacting molecules with energy greater than the energy of
activation.

ARRHENIUS: The relationship between the rate constant, k, and the temperature, T, is expressed
by the Arrhenius equation:
k = Ae-Ea/RT

A is the pre-exponential factorrelated to the collision frequency and the fraction of

molecules that collide with the correct orientation

Ea is the energy of activation, the minimum energy the colliding molecules must possess to
have a successful reaction

R is the ideal gas constant in energy units, 8.1344 J/molK

T is the temperature in Kelvin

The exponential term e-Ea/RT expresses the fraction of the reacting molecules with energy
greater than the energy of activation
o As Ea increases, the exponent becomes more negative and the fraction of the
reacting molecules with energy greater than the energy of activation decreases.
Therefore, as Ea increases, the rate constant becomes smaller and the rate of reaction
decreases
o As T increases, the exponent becomes less negative and the fraction of the reacting
molecules with energy greater than the energy of activation increases, resulting in
the rate constant becoming larger and the rate of reaction increasing

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Lightstick Kinetics
ACTIVATION ENERGY FROM A SLOPE: Taking the natural logarithm of both sides of the
Arrhenius equation gives
ln k
y

= (-Ea/R) (1/T) + ln A
= m
x
+ b

Notice how it can be viewed with some creativity as being the equation of a straight line with
dependent variable ln k (a.k.a. y) and independent variable 1/T (a.k.a. x)
Graphing ln k verses 1/T (remember, T in Kelvin) gives a straight line with a slope of -Ea/R. The
value of activation energyEais the slope of this line.

Applying our knowledge of the rate and temperature relationship to lightsticks

to find ACTIVATION ENERGY

The energy of activation for the long-term, light-producing reaction in a lightstick will be
determined by monitoring the light intensity of the lightstick as a function of
temperature.

The light-producing reaction follows first order kinetics, where [X] is the reactant
concentration. (first order meaning that there is only one reactant affecting the reaction rate)
Rate = k [X]

The Arrhenius equation gives us an expression for k, which we substitute:

Rate = Ae-Ea/RT[X] usually written Rate = A[X]e-Ea/RT

ILLUMINATIONA MEASURE OF REACTION RATE: The illumination, I, at a

fixed point from the lightstick should be proportional to the rate of the chemiluminescence
reaction. Providing a proportionality constant, c, gives another equation for Rate:
Rate = c I

Illumination is
usually
Setting the two expressions for Rate equal to each other does this:
symbolized as
-E /RT
cI = A[X]e a
E. We use I
so as not to
Dividing both sides of the equation by c isolates the illumination:
confuse
illumination
I = (A[X]e-Ea/RT ) / c
with activation
energy,
SLOPE, AGAIN: Taking the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation and Ea.

simplifying gives us reason to graph ln(I) vs 1/T:

ln I = (-Ea)/R (1/T) + ln(A[X] / c)
y =
m x
+
b
A graph of ln(I) verses 1/T (T in Kelvins) ideally should give a straight line with a slope being
-Ea/R. The value of Ea is determined from the slope of the linear regression line. (multiply by -R
-8.1344 J/molK)

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Lightstick Kinetics

LAB PURPOSE
The purpose of this experiment is to study the reaction rate of a chemical reaction (by monitoring
illumination of a light sensor) as it varies with temperature (by monitoring a temperature sensor)
and determine the energy of activation of the chemiluminescent (light-producing) reaction utilized
within lightsticks (by mathematical/graphical analysis of illumination and temperature data).

EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS

Laptop computer with Logger Pro

Light sticks (2?)

LabPro with AC adapter

Pre-drilled film canister

LabPro USB computer cable

Pre-drilled wood block

Vernier Light Sensor

Scissors

Vernier Temperature Probe

Disposable Pipette

Water bath (50C)

Disposable gloves

18x150 mm test tube (approx.)

SAFETY

Always wear an apron and goggles in the lab

Gloves should be worn because the dye in the lightstick will stain

PROCEDURE

Prepare the sensors for data collection

1. Connect the light sensor to CH-1 of the LabPro
2. Connect the temperature probe to CH-2 of the LabPro

Be sure the light sensor

range switch is set at
0-600 lux.

3. Connect the LabPro to the computer using the USB cable provided
4. Plug in the LabPro and wait for its happy Im on! song.

Prepare the computer software to record and analyze data

1. Ensure that the LoggerPro 3.3 software is running on the computer
2. Set up the data collection table

First, you should see: If your connections are properly done, the LoggerPro
software will (should?) start up with a 3-column data table: Time, Illumination, and
Temperature
(NOTE: Columns x and y may appear briefly until sensors are recognized)

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Lightstick Kinetics

You will need to add these columns to the table

1. Logarithm of Illumination ln(I)
2. Abs Temp (Tab)
3. 1/(Abs Temp) 1/Tab

See the instruction

box at the end of the
lab to learn how to
add columns.

3. Set up the graph of ln(illumination) vs. 1/(abs temp)

Delete one of the default graphs that should be on the computer screen (if you have
the LabPro and sensors installed properly).
(Note: clicking once on a graph activates it; then pressing <Delete> zaps it.)

In the remaining graph window, set up the axes labels and scales
o mouse-over the vertical (y-) axis label and left-click; the list of data column
names will appearselect/click on Log of Illumination
o mouse-over the horizontal (x-) axis label and left-click; the list of data
column names will appearclick on 1/(abs temp)
o mouse-over the graph (just about anywhere)and right-click, then select
Autoscale from the dropdown list
(Alternatively, you may select Graph options, then the Axes Options
tab, and set scaling to Autoscale for each axis)

4. Set up the data collection timing parameters

Click on the toolbar icon that looks like a clock on a graph (a slow mouse-over
displays Data Collection)

Ensure that the Collection page shows the following then click Done:
o Set Mode to Time Based
o Set Length to 600 seconds

Careful here

o Set Seconds per sample to 30

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(The samples/second value will self-adjust to match.)

Lightstick Kinetics
Prepare the apparatus (note that the centered hole in the block is at the top)

Film
canister

Temperature
Probe

Test tube
Light Sensor

Computer

2 1
LabPro

PREPARE THE APPARATUS

1. Prepare a 50C water bath
2. Activate the lightstick:
a. Snap the lightsticks internal glass vial, and shake well
b. Wait 10 minutes for the short-term light-emitting reaction to finish so only the light
from the long-term reaction is being measured
c. Continue with the next few steps while you wait
3. Set up the experiment-specific apparatus as much as possible at this time to match
Figure 1, using the pre-drilled wooden block and other items shown
a. Insert the temperature probe through the hole in the film canister
[ and then into the test tube]
b. Place the light sensor into the horizontal hole of the wood block.
4. Following your 10-minute wait, cut off the top of the lightstick with a pair of scissors
and transfer approximately 5 ml of the contents into the test tube using a pipette
5. Place the test tube with contents, including the temperature probe, in the water bath
until the meter reads 50 C. (Alternate planUse a standard lab thermometer instead
of the Vernier Temperature Probe for this reading if your instructor directs you to do
so.)
6. Remove the test tube assembly from the water bath, drying the outside surface

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Lightstick Kinetics
7. Insert the test tube and light sensor assembly into the top hole in the wood block,
making sure that the film canister shields the test tube from any incoming light

Collect reaction rate and temperature data

1. Click on the Green collect button on the toolbar
2. Pay attention to the data as its being collected to make sure that it makes sense
indicating that your equipment setup is probably correct

DATA ANALYSIS:
Find the linear equation that best matches your data
1.

Click on the data point in the upper left of the graph window, hold down the mouse
button and drag to the data point in the lower right of the graph window, and then
release the mouse button.

2.

Follow the menu bar drop-down path: Analyze Linear Fit

a.

3.

A regression box containing slope (M), intercept (B), and a correlation value
(COR) will appear on your graph

If you are connected to a printer, you have several options for printing
a. Data table and graph together (can view in Print Preview)
b. Data table alone
c. Graph alone

DATA ANALYSIS

Determine the Activation Energy

1.

According to our substituted Arrhenius equation:

a. the slope should be equal to -Ea/R
b. where R has a value of 8.3144 J/moleK
c. thus allowing us to calculate the value of Ea in both J/mole and kJ/mole.

2.

Using the actual value in kJ/mole, your percent error should be calculated.

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Lightstick Kinetics

Lightstick Kinetics Pre-lab

Name
Name
Pd/Course
Date
1.

The following data was collected for the first order reaction:
2 N2O5 (g) 2 N2O4 (g) + O2 (g)
Determine graphically the energy of activation for the reaction. Show your calculations.

Temperature (C)
0.0

Rate Constant, k (sec-1)

7.87 X 103

25.0

3.46 X 105

45.0

4.98 X 106

65.0

4.87 X 107

ln k

Temperature (K)

1/Temperature (K-1)

Slope of the regression line (m)

Y intercept (b)
Correlation factor (cor)
Ea (kJ/mol)

2.

Calculate the rate constant at 35.0 C. Show your calculations.

3.

At what temperature (C) will the rate constant be 8.00 X 106 sec-1?
calculations.

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Show your

Lightstick Kinetics

Light Stick Kinetics Data Sheet

Name
Name
Pd/Course
Date

Attach your graphs and data tables, formatting your report as instructed by your teacher.
Slope of the regression line (m)
Y-intercept (b)
Correlation factor (cor)
Experimental value for Ea (kJ/mol)
Accepted value for Ea (kJ/mol)
Percent Error

CALCULATIONS: (include a sample of each type of calculation performed by LoggerPro)

QUESTION:
1.

How did the light intensity vary with temperature? Why does this happen?

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