DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2020-21

TERM 2 GRADE: 09

TOPIC: RATES OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS

IGCSE Questions:

1. Copper (II) sulfate can be prepared by adding excess copper (II) carbonate to sulfuric acid. Why is an
excess of copper (II) carbonate added?
A to ensure all the copper(II) carbonate has reacted
B to ensure all the sulfuric acid has reacted
C to increase the rate of reaction
D to increase the yield of copper(II) sulfate

2. Which changes increase the rate of reaction?

1 increasing the concentration of the reactants
2 increasing the particle size of a solid reactant
3 increasing the temperature
A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

3. Which statement about the effect of concentration and temperature on the rate of a reaction is not
correct?
A If the concentration of a reactant is increased, the rate of reaction increases because more particles have
sufficient energy to react.
B If the concentration of a reactant is increased, the rate of reaction increases because there are more
collisions between particles per second.
C If the temperature is increased, the rate of reaction increases because there are more collisions between
particles per second.
D If the temperature is increased, the rate of reaction increases because more particles have sufficient
energy to react.

4. A student investigates the rate of reaction between marble chips and hydrochloric acid. The mass of the
reaction flask is measured. The graph shows the results of two experiments, P and Q.

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Which change explains the difference between P and Q?
A A catalyst is added in P.
B A higher temperature is used in P.
C Bigger marble chips are used in Q.
D Hydrochloric acid is more concentrated in Q.

5. The diagram shows an energy level diagram for a reaction.

The diagram shows that the reaction is ......1...... .

Increasing the temperature increases the rate of reaction. A reason for this is that the ......2....... .
Which words correctly complete gaps 1 and 2?

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6. A student was investigating the reaction between marble chips and dilute hydrochloric acid.

Which changes would reduce the rate of reaction?

7. The rate of reaction between magnesium and excess dilute hydrochloric acid was followed by
measuring the mass of magnesium present at regular time intervals.
Two experiments were performed. Both experiments used 0.1g of magnesium ribbon. The acid in
experiment 1 was less concentrated than in experiment 2.
Which graph shows the results of the experiments?

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 SECTION B

1. Hydrogen peroxide decomposes slowly at room temperature to form water and oxygen.
The reaction is catalyzed by manganese (IV) oxide.

2H2O2 → 2H2O + O2

A student used the apparatus shown below to study how changing the concentration
of hydrogen peroxide affects the speed of this reaction.

Apart from the volume of hydrogen peroxide, state two things that the student must keep the same in
each experiment.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.

......................................................................................................................................................................
[2]

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 SECTION C

1. The speed of reaction between excess magnesium and dilute hydrochloric acid was investigated using
the apparatus below.

The volume of hydrogen produced was measured every minute for six minutes.
(a) Use the gas syringe diagrams to complete the table.
Table of results

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(b) Plot the results on the grid below. Draw a smooth line graph.

(c) Why is the volume of gas given off the same at 5 minutes and 6 minutes?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(d) Which point appears to be inaccurate? Explain why.

……………………………………………………………..…………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………..………… [2]

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(e) Sketch on the grid the graph you would expect if the experiment were repeated using the same volume
of acid which was half as concentrated. [2]

2. A student investigated the effect of temperature on the speed of reaction between hydrochloric acid
and aqueous sodium thiosulfate. When these chemicals react they form precipitate, which makes the
solution go cloudy. The formation of this precipitate can be used to show how fast the reaction proceeds,
using the set up shown below.

Five experiments were carried out.

Experiment 1
By using a measuring cylinder 50 cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulfate was poured into a flask. The
temperature of the solution was measured. The conical flask was placed on the printed text.
10 cm3 of hydrochloric acid was added to the flask and the timer started. The time taken for the printed
text to disappear from view was recorded in the table. The final temperature of the mixture was measured.

Experiment 2
50 cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulfate was poured into a conical flask. The solution was heated
until the temperature was about 30 ºC. The temperature of the solution was measured.
10 cm3 of hydrochloric acid was added to the flask and Experiment 1 was repeated.
The final temperature of the liquid was measured.

Experiment 3
Experiment 2 was repeated but the sodium thiosulfate solution was heated to about 40 ºC before adding
the hydrochloric acid.
The initial and final temperatures were measured.

Experiment 4
Experiment 2 was repeated but the sodium thiosulfate solution was heated to about 50 ºC
before adding the hydrochloric acid. The initial and final temperatures were measured.

Experiment 5
Experiment 2 was repeated but the sodium thiosulfate solution was heated to about 60 ºC before adding
the hydrochloric acid.
The initial and final temperatures were measured.

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Use the thermometer diagrams to record all of the initial and final temperatures in the table.

(a) Complete the table of results to show the average temperatures.

Table of results

(b) Plot the results obtained on the grid and draw a smooth line graph.

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(c) (i) In which experiment was the speed of reaction greatest?

………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………

(ii) Explain why the speed was greatest in this experiment.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………

(d) Why was the same volume of sodium thiosulfate solution and the same volume of hydrochloric acid

used in each experiment?

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………

(e) (i) From your graph, deduce the time for the printed text to disappear if Experiment 2 was to be

repeated at 70 ºC. Show clearly on the grid how you worked out your answer.

……………………………………………………….……………………………………………………[2]

(ii) Sketch on the grid the curve you would expect if all the experiments were repeated using 50 cm3 of

more concentrated sodium thiosulfate solution.

[1]

(f) Explain one change that could be made to the experimental method to obtain more accurate results.

Change

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Explanation …………………………………..……………………………………………………………

[2]

3. An experiment was carried out to measure the temperature changes during the neutralisation of sodium
hydroxide solution with dilute hydrochloric acid. Both solutions were allowed to stand in the laboratory
for about 30 minutes. 25 cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution was added to a polystyrene beaker and the
temperature was measured. 10 cm3 of hydrochloric acid was added to the beaker and the highest
temperature reached measured.
The experiment was repeated using different volumes of acid.
(a) Why were the solutions left to stand for about 30 minutes before the experiments?

………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………[1]

(b) Why was a polystyrene beaker used instead of a glass beaker?

………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………[1]

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The results of the experiments are shown plotted on the grid below.

(c) What type of chemical reaction occurs when sodium hydroxide is neutralised by hydrochloric acid?

………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………[1]

(d) (i) Which point appears to be inaccurate?

………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………[1]

(ii) Draw two straight lines through the points and extend them until they cross. [2]

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(iii) What volume of hydrochloric acid was needed to neutralise 25 cm3 of the sodium hydroxide

solution?

………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………[2]

4. Two students investigated the speed of reaction between excess calcium carbonate and dilute
hydrochloric acid using the apparatus below.

Large lumps of calcium carbonate were used.

The volume of carbon dioxide produced was measured every minute for five minutes.

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(a) Use the measuring cylinder diagrams to complete the table of results.

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(b) Plot the results on the grid below and draw a smooth line graph.

(c) Which point appears to be inaccurate? Explain why.

.........................................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................................. [2]

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(d) Sketch on the grid, the graph you would expect if the experiment was repeated using small lumps of
calcium carbonate.

5. Hydrochloric acid reacts with aqueous sodium thiosulfate to form a precipitate, which makes the
solution turn cloudy.
The formation of the precipitate can be used to show how fast the reaction proceeds, using the
apparatus shown below.

Student used this method to investigate the effect of changing the concentration of the sodium thiosulfate
solution on the speed of the reaction.
The student used different concentrations of sodium thiosulfate solution.
All other variables were kept the same.
(a) Give two variables which were kept the same in the investigation.

1 .....................................................................................................................................................

2 .......................................................................................................................................................

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(b) The results of the experiments are shown plotted on the grid below.

(b) Draw a line of best fit on the grid. [1]

(c) Suggest two reasons why not all of the points lie on the line of best fit.

1 ........................................................................................................................................................

2 .................................................................................................................................................. [2]

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(d) From your graph, deduce the speed of reaction when the concentration of sodium thiosulfate is
0.075 mol / dm3. Show clearly on the graph how you worked out your answer.

..................................................................................................................................................... [2]

(e) Explain why the speed of reaction increases when the concentration of sodium thiosulfate is increased.
.........................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(f) Sketch on the grid the line you would expect if the experiments were repeated at a higher temperature.
[1]

6. A student investigated the rate of reaction between magnesium ribbon and two different solutions
of dilute sulfuric acid, solution G and solution H. The acid was in excess in both experiments.
Two experiments were carried out.
Experiment 1
● The apparatus was set up as shown in the diagram.

Using a measuring cylinder, 50cm3 of solution G were poured into the conical flask. A piece of
magnesium ribbon was added to the conical flask and the bung replaced.
● The timer was started immediately and the total volume of gas collected in the measuring
cylinder was measured every 20 seconds for 180 seconds (3 minutes).
Experiment 2
● Experiment 1 was repeated using 50cm3 of solution H instead of solution G.

(a) Use the measuring cylinder diagrams to record the volumes of gas collected in Experiment 1.

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[3]

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(b) Plot the results for Experiments 1 and 2 on the grid and draw two smooth line graphs.
Clearly label your graphs.

[4]

(c)Which experiment had the faster rate of reaction? Suggest a reason why the rate was faster in

this experiment.

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..................................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................ [2]

(d) The average rate of this reaction can be calculated using the equation shown.

average rate = volume of gas/cm3

time taken/s

For Experiment 1, calculate the average rate of reaction for the frst 30 seconds of the reaction.

Include the units.

rate = ............................

units = ............................ [3]

(e) Why, eventually, will no more gas be produced?

........................................................................................................................................................ [1]

(f) Suggest the effect on the rate of reaction of using the same mass of magnesium powder

instead of magnesium ribbon. Explain your answer.

..............................................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................ [2]

(g) Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using a measuring cylinder to measure the

volumes of solution G and solution H.

advantage ................................................................................................................................................

disadvantage ......................................................................................................................................[2]

(h) Suggest one improvement to these experiments.

...............................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................... [1]

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7. A student investigated the rate of reaction between hydrochloric acid and aqueous sodium
thiosulfate. When these chemicals react they form a precipitate which makes the solution go
cloudy. The formation of this precipitate can be used to show how fast the reaction proceeds.
Five experiments were done using the apparatus shown below.

(a) Experiment 1
Using a measuring cylinder, 50cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulfate was poured into a conical flask. The
conical flask was placed on a printed sheet of paper.
10cm3 of the hydrochloric acid was added to the solution in the conical flask and the stopclock started.
The time taken for the printed words to disappear from view was measured.
(b) Experiment 2
Using a measuring cylinder, 40cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulfate was poured into a conical flask,
followed by 10cm3 of distilled water. The conical flask was placed on the printed sheet.
10cm3 of the hydrochloric acid was added to the solution in the conical flask and the stop clock started.
The time taken for the printed words to disappear from view was measured.
(c) Experiment 3
Experiment 2 was repeated using 35cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulfate and 15cm3 of
distilled water.
(d) Experiment 4
Experiment 2 was repeated using 30cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulfate and 20cm3 of
distilled water.
(e) Experiment 5
Experiment 2 was repeated using 20cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulfate and 30cm3 of
distilled water.
(f) Use the stop clock diagrams to record the times in the table.
Complete the table.

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(g) Plot the results on the grid and draw a smooth line graph.

(h) (i) From your graph, deduce the time for the printed words to disappear if Experiment 2

was repeated using 25cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulfate and 25cm3 of distilled water.

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Show clearly on the grid how you worked out your answer.

.................................................................................................................................................................. [3]

(ii) Sketch on the grid the curve you would expect if the experiments were repeated at a

lower temperature. Label this curve ‘lower temperature’. [1]

(i) (i) In which experiment was the rate of reaction greatest?

................................................................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) Explain why the rate of reaction was greatest in this experiment.

...................................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................... [1]

(j) A student did a sixth experiment using 60cm3 of aqueous sodium thiosulfate.

Why would this not be an appropriate volume to use in this series of experiments?

...................................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................. [2]

(k) Suggest and explain the effect of

(i) using a burette to measure the volume of the hydrochloric acid,

.................................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................ [2]

(ii) using a 100cm3 conical flask.

.................................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................... [2]

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