I am going to investigate how particle size affects the rates of reaction.

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                                                                                            RAAID IQBAL

Introduction

I am going to investigate how PARTICLE SIZE affects the rates of reaction.

There are many other key factors that affect the rates of reaction like:

Key factors:

  • Temperature
  • Particle size    (surface area)
  • Concentration
  • Measurements
  • Pressure
  • Catalysts

But I am only going to investigate how Particle Size affects the rates of reaction.

                  I am going to investigate this by using magnesium and hydrochloric acid in my experiment. I will measure the gas produced (hydrogen) to work out how particle size affects the rates of reaction.

Magnesium is a light, shiny grey metallic element, symbol Mg, atomic number 12, found in group two in the periodic table. It is quite reactive giving vigorous reactions towards acids. It is one of the alkaline earth metals, and the lightest of the commonly used metals. It is used in alloys, flash photography, flares, fireworks and flash bulbs because it burns vigorously in air with a bright white light. Magnesium reacts with steam to release hydrogen and it also burns in carbon dioxide gas.

Hydrochloric acid, HCl, is a solution of hydrogen chloride (a colourless acidic gas) in water. The concentrated acid is about 35% hydrogen chloride and is corrosive. The acid is a typical strong, monobasic acid forming only one series of salts, the chlorides. Like most acids, it releases hydrogen ions when it is added to water and certain metals, and has a pH of less than 7. Hydrochloric acid is a common laboratory acid.

      I think the test will show that the smaller the particle the quicker the rate of reaction.          

                                                                                                RAAID IQBAL

Background information

A chemical reaction involves one or more substances (reactants) that react to produce other substances (products).  Chemical engineers exploit chemical reactions to produce materials on a commercial scale. Different reactions happen at different speeds (rates.) Some reactions like explosives are so fast they are almost instantaneous. For example, when a burning splint is put into a mixture of hydrogen and chlorine, there is a loud bang and hydrogen is produced:

H2 (g) + CL2 (g)   2HCL (g)

Other reactions, like the rusting of steel and the weathering of limestone on buildings happens so slowly that it may be years or even centuries before we notice their effects.

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The rate of reactions can be measured in two different ways:

  • Measuring change in mass on scales
  • Measuring gas produced with a gas cylinder

Both are equally good measures of the rate of reaction. To measure change in mass is relatively easy; you just add the reactants together and measure the change in mass. To measure the amount of gas produced with the equipment we have is slightly less accurate, you have to drop the reactant in and then place the bung in the hole. This obviously is not 100% accurate, however it does the job ...

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