Sekolah Ciputra

Chemistry Lab Report:

Rate of Reaction

Mercy Junfandi

Science
Ms. Indah Kartika
Research Question:
What is the effect of different type of acid to magnesium’s chemical reaction rate?

Aim:
To investigate how different types of acid (Acetic, Hydrochloric, Nitric, and Sulfuric acid) can
affect the rate of reaction magnesium sheet (measured by stopwatch).

Background Information:
Rate of reaction is the rapidity in which a chemical reaction happens, usually observed by the time
of a reactant to vanish.1 There are multiple of factors out there affecting the rate of reaction such
as the concentration of the reactants or the surface area that’s going to be in contact with the acids.1
Changing those elements could lead to different final results, however in this experiment we are
going to focus on changing the reactants (acids) while keeping the other coefficient (magnesium)
constant.

A theory called the collision theory will be used in this investigation.2 In order for any chemical
reaction to happen both the reactants particles are required to collide with one another. When they
are more collision happening, there will be more combination of particles crashing into one another.
More possible combination means that the chance of the reaction to be accomplished will also
increase. Therefore, the rate of reaction between the two reactants will happen faster.

Hypothesis:
The more acidic a solution is, the faster it’s chemical reaction rate will be. This is because within
a more acidic solution it’s pH level will be lower. PH level is the metric measure of the amount of
existing hydrogen ion concentration within a solution. The lower the pH level of a acid solution is
the higher the amount of hydrogen ions. Utilizing the theory of particle collusion, more H+ ions
will increase the opportunity of collusion between the acid and metal particles, which will therefore
increase the chemical reaction rate. (which acid come first)

Table 1. Table of Variables

Variables Unit Manipulation
Independent Different types of acid Milliliters (Ml) We have 4 different
- CH3COOH types of acid as the
(Acetic Acid) independent variable.
- HCL For each type of acid
(Hydrochloric we conduct 4 trials, a
Acid)

1. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2017. reaction rate | chemistry | Britannica.com. [ONLINE] Available at:
1

https://www.britannica.com/science/reaction-rate. [Accessed 09 November 2017].

1
2. Factors Affecting Reaction Rates. 2017. Factors Affecting Reaction Rates. [ONLINE] Available at:
https://www.cdli.ca/sampleResources/chem3202/unit01_org01_ilo03/b_activity.html. [Accessed 09 November 2017].

3. BBC - GCSE Bitesize: Collision theory. 2017. BBC - GCSE Bitesize: Collision theory. [ONLINE] Available at:
2

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway_pre_2011/rocks_metals/7_faster_slower1.shtml.
[Accessed 09 November 2017].
 - H2SO4 total of 16 different
(Sulfuric acid) trials in total.
- HNO3
(Nitric Acid)

Dependent Reaction Rate of Seconds The reaction rate of

Magnesium magnesium will be
measured by a
stopwatch. We start
measuring the
reaction rate the same
time the magnesium
sheet enters the acid
solution.
Controlled Amount of Acid 3 milliliters The amount of acid
will be kept
consistently at 3
milliliters for each
trial.
Size of Magnesium 0.3 x 0.3 cm Different width of the
Sheet magnesium sheet will
impact the final result
of the chemical
reaction rate. This is
because the wider the
size of the magnesium
sheet the more
particles of
magnesium that needs
to be collided.
Temperature of Acid 23 Celsius The temperature is
being kept constant at
23 Celsius room
temperature. If the
temperature increased
it will create the
particles to have more
energy and move
quicker. Which
therefore will increase
the reaction rate of the
magnesium. The
same goes by
lowering the
temperature will
create the particles to
 have less energy and
move slower,
decreasing the
reaction rate of the
magnesium sheet.
Type of metals Magnesium Different metals have
different particle
properties. For
instance Zinc have
lighter density
compared to
magnesium this will
also impacted the time
that they will sink in
the water, when the
time will start.
Concentration of Acid 0.5 M (Molarity) The concentration of
the independent
variable (type of acid)
needs to be kept
constant. When the
concentration of the
acid is increased, the
more particles will
move together. There
will be more collision
within one particle
with another creating
the reaction rate to be
increased. Same goes
with it being
decreased, when
lowering the
concentration less
particles will move at
the same time creating
the reaction rate to
decrease.

Table 2. Table of Apparatus

No. Apparatus Quantity Size Function
1. Stopwatch 4 NONE The stopwatch is needed
in this experiment to
measure the rate of
chemical reaction for
each type of acid. Without
 the stopwatch, we cannot
precisely measure the
amount of time for each
chemical reaction.
2. Scientific test tube 4 15 milliliters The scientific test tube
will be used as a place
where the experiment will
happen. The acid will be
transferred there and the
metal magnesium sheet
will also be placed there.
We need 4 scientific test
tube as there are 4
different trials for each
type of acid.
3. Beaker 4 50 milliliters The beaker will be where
the acid is originally
placed before transferring
it into the scientific test
tube. We need 4 different
beaker as there are 4
different type of acid. We
want to make sure that
four of the different type
of acid is completely
separated and that none of
those acid above will be
mixed together since it
will ruin it’s chemical
compounds and
properties.
4. Tube holder 1 NONE The tube holder will be
used as a container casing
for the scientific test tube.
By doing this, we can
cautiously and clearly
examine the chemical
reaction rate without
having to bother holding
the scientific tube.
5. Dropper 1 NONE The dropper will be used
to transfer the different
type of acid into the
scientific test tube where
the experiment will take
 place for its original
beaker container.
6. Computer 1 NONE The computer will be
used to record the
experiment results into
the table we have
previously made. By
using the computer we
can make sure that the
data is safe, decreasing
the chance of it being lost.

Picture 1. Experiment Set-Up

Procedure:
1. Collect all materials and equipment needed for this experiment; 4 different type of acid
(Sulfuric acid, Nitric acid, Acetic acid, and Hydrochloric acid) each 20 milliliters, 16 sheet
of magnesium (0.3 x 0.3 cm), 4 stopwatch, 4 scientific test tube, 4 beakers, 1 tube holder,
and 1 dropper.
2. Place all the materials and equipment in the experiment area.
3. Make sure that everything is in a good condition (ex. No cracks within the scientific tube
or beaker to reduce any accident from happening).
4. Fill the droppers from the beaker with the acetic acid solution and transfer it into one of
the scientific test tube.
5. Make sure that the amount of acid transferred is 3 milliliters. If it exceeds 3 ml transfer the
remaining acid back to the beaker and if it’s less make sure to fill it until it reaches the sign
of 3 milliliters.
6. Place the metal into the acetic acid solution.
 7. Press the button on the stopwatch the same time when the magnesium sheet enters the acid
solution to start measure the time of the chemical reaction rate.
8. Examine the reaction, when the metal sheet has completely dissolves with the acetic acid
solution, press the stop button on the stopwatch to stop measuring the time.
9. Record the result on the table you’ve made previously in your computer.
10. Repeat step 4-9 with the other 3 trials.
11. Repeat step 3-10 for the remaining 3 acid solution (Hydrochloric acid; Sulfuric acid; Nitric
acid).
12. Clean and tidy up the experiment set-up region.

Table 3. Safety Precautions

Problem Prevention / Solution
Skin irritation through direct skin contact. This might happen when you’re transferring
the acid, cleaning up the experiment set up, or
when the tube or beaker tip over and spill it to
your skin. Direct contact between the skin and
the acid solution can result in pain, itchiness,
redness, burning sensation, and blistering. In
some cases it can create permanent scarring.
To prevent this from happening make sure that
you wear gloves to protect your skin from any
potential danger.
Eye irritation through direct eye contact. Direct contact between the eye and the acid
solution can result in pain, blurred vision,
redness, and swelling in the eye area. To
prevent this from happening make sure that
you wear googles during the experiment to
protect your eye from long life damage and any
possible detriment.

Table 4. Raw Experiment Data Result

Type of Acid Chemical Reaction Rate (Minutes)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Average

CH3COOH 10.59 11.18 12.46 12.17 11.6

HCL 7.08 7.01 6.41 7.16 6.9

H2SO4 1.51 1.35 2.01 2.00 1.72

HNO3 4.06 5.08 4.38 4.47 4.5

Table 5. Processed Experiment Data Result
Type of Acid Chemical Reaction Rate (Minutes)
CH3COOH 11.6
HCL 6.9
H2SO4 1.72
HNO3 4.5

Graph 1. The Effect of Different Type of Acids to a Chemical’s Reaction Rate

Analysis:
From the experiment graph result we can see that there is a high correlation between weak and
strong acid to its chemical reaction rate. The stronger an acid solution is, the faster its chemical
reaction rate. The longest chemical reaction rate was in average 11.6 minutes by the solution of
acetic acid (CH3COOH). Meanwhile the fastest chemical reaction rate was in average 1.72 minutes
by the solution of sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The nitric acid (HNO3) solution requires in average 6.9
minutes of chemical reaction rate and lastly the hydrochloric acid (HCL solution requires in
average 4.5 minutes of chemical reaction time.

Discussion:
The stronger an acid solution is, the faster its chemical reaction rate. The scientific reasoning
behind our experiment data is because a stronger acid contains a lower level of pH level.4 The
lower the pH level of an acidic solution is, the higher amount of hydrogen ions that are present in
that solution.4 CH3COOH is a weak acid with a pH level of 3.4, H2so4 is a strong acid with a pH
level of 2.75, and HNO3 and HCL have the same amount of pH level of 3.01. This explains why
CH3COOH have the longest rate of reaction and why H2so4 have the shortest rate of reaction.
H2so4 have a lower number of pH level which means that more H+ ions are present compared to
the H+ ions that are present in CH3COOH. Increasing the chance of the H+ ions to strike and crash
into the metal particles much more, leading to a faster rate of reaction. 5

Even though HCL and HNO3 have the same amount of pH level, one thing that differentiates these
2 solution is their pKa. pKa or dissociation constant describes the amount of dissociation reaction
of an acid solution7, helping us to predict the rate of movement of the molecules existent in a
substance. The lower the pKa value the stronger the acid. HCL’s pKa value is -7 whereas HNO3
6
pKa value is -1.3, because HCL’s pKa value is significantly lower compared to HNO3’s it allows
and justifies why the reaction time is faster. When the molecules are more dissociated, the reaction
between the metal and acid molecules are much faster, allowing oxidation process triggering the
production of bubbles (H2) and the diminishing of magnesium thus allowing a much faster rate of
reaction.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, my hypothesis was confirmed by the results provided by my experiment. The more
acidic a solution is, the faster the chemical reaction rate will be. This is because the more acidic
an acid is the more hydrogen ions it will contain. Allowing it to increase the collusion rate between
metals and acid, as well as it’s chemical reaction rate. The pKa also plays a tremendous role in the
rate of reaction the more dissociated the molecules are, the faster the oxidation process will be
move allowing the rate of reaction to be faster.

Evaluation:
Although our group’s experiment went thoroughly satisfactorily, there are still a few things that
could be changed during the experiment to utmost the data provided by the experiment to it’s most
meticulous state. The first thing, is that the timing for each trial to be stopped is uncertain. While
the starting time is accurate, the time when the metal sheet reaches the acid solution, the final time
is measured with little guidelines. The only thing we know when to stop the final time is when the
metal sheet is no longer existent and any reaction (ex. Bubbling and fizzling) has stopped. These

4
How pH Affects Enzyme Reaction Rates. 2017. How pH Affects Enzyme Reaction Rates. [ONLINE] Available
at: http://science.halleyhosting.com/sci/ibbio/chem/notes/chpt8/enzfactorspH.htm. [Accessed 12 November
2017].
5
Encyclopedia Britannica. 2017. hydrogen ion | chemistry | Britannica.com. [ONLINE] Available
at: https://www.britannica.com/science/hydrogen-ion. [Accessed 12 November 2017].
6
pH and pKa, Definition of ph, pka Values, pka Definition | Chemistry@TutorVista.com. 2017. pH and pKa,
Definition of ph, pka Values, pka Definition | Chemistry@TutorVista.com. [ONLINE] Available
at: http://chemistry.tutorvista.com/inorganic-chemistry/ph-and-pka.html. [Accessed 12 November 2017].
7
ThoughtCo. 2017. pKa Definition in Chemistry. [ONLINE] Available
at: https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-pka-in-chemistry-605521. [Accessed 12 November 2017].
rough calculation make the results of each trial not precise and could lead to the unreliability of
the final result.

The second thing that needs to be change is during the experiment the transition between each acid
to another is not entirely completed properly. My group didn’t wash the scientific tube when
swapping one acid solution to another. We just simply throw out the remaining substance without
washing it, this could affect the end result as the chemical residue of the previous reactants
(magnesium sheet & acid solution) could play a huge role in the following trials.

Suggestion:
To solve the first problem, next time we would like to utilize a high speed camera that is able to
capture second per second of the experiment. This way, while it is recording we could later on
identify in which period of time the chemical reaction has exactly stop. After identifying, the exact
!"#$%#&'(&)"#
time the chemical reaction ended, we will put it into the formula of [average rate = ].
&)*%
Concentration is usually shown in moles/liter, whereas the time is the time taken to complete the
chemical reaction. By combining both of these methods, we could be more positive that the end
result is accurate and error-free.

To solve the second problem, next time my group needs to make sure that we clean the scientific
tube properly. Rather than just throwing the remaining acid solution and metal, next time we need
to wash it with soap to make sure that no residue is left for the following trial. One of the most
useful product to do this job is the “test tube brush”. This product make sure to get to the very
bottom of the scientific tube, cleaned and scrubbed it carefully.

By: Mercy Junfandi (9B)

Bibliography:

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