Investigating the rate of reaction between hydrochloric acid and chalk.

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Chris Wirt 09/01/01

Investigating the rate of reaction between hydrochloric acid and Chalk (Calcium

Carbonate)

Aim:

The aim of my investigation is to research into how the reaction between

hydrochloric acid and Chalk (Calcium Carbonate can be effected by changing conditions.

Variables:

These are the variables which I could use in my experiment:

* Changing the surface area of the solids(CaCo).

* Changing the concentration of the reactants(HCL).

* Changing the temperature of the reactants(HCL).

Surface area:

When the surface area for the reaction is changed the speed to the reaction will

increase. As far more of the substance will be able to react at the same time, with the

larger surface area the number of collisions between particles will also be far greater.

Concentration:

Increasing the concentration of the reactant will increase the rate of reaction. This is

due to the fact that there will be a far greater amount of particles in the same amount of

space, increasing the chance of a collision between particles.

Temperature:

Increasing the temperature will increase the rate of reaction. As when the

temperature is increased the energy changes to kinetic energy in the chemical particles.

With more kinetic energy the particles will move much faster.

E.g.

Out of these possible variables I am going to change the concentration of the reactant for

my variable. This is because I feel that I will be able to obtain the most interesting results.

List of apparatus:

* Hydrochloric acid (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 Molar strength)

* Chalk (Calcium Carbonate) 0.25g measurements

* Clamp stand

* Boss Bolt

* Gas syringe

* 100ml conical flask

* Stop watch

Safe Test:

I will make this a safe test by doing the following:

* Wearing glasses to prevent chemicals from getting in my eyes and causing damage.

* I will roll up the sleeves to my shirt to make sure that they do not get in the way of the

experiment or knock any objects over causing hazard.

* I will make sure that I tuck my tie into my shirt to avoid it catching of objects and

causing hazard.

* I will make sure that when I am carrying chemicals I am careful not to spill them and to

notify a teacher if I do.

Fair Test:

I will make this test fair by doing the following:

* I will make sure this is a fair test by making sure that I use the same amount of reactant

each time.

* I will make sure that when I do it I use the same amount of Chalk (Calcium Carbonate)

each time.

* I will make sure that I do the test over three times for average and to allow for outlying

results.

* I will make sure that when I do the test I use the same amount of hydrochloric acid each

time.

Prediction:

I predict that as I try this experiment with a higher concentration the reaction of the

chalk (Calcium Carbonate) dissolving will become faster. The lower concentration, reactions

will be slower, so as the concentration of the hydrochloric acid becomes greater, faster the

reaction. I predict that if the concentration of the HCL is doubled then the experiment will

happen twice as fast. This is because twice as many HCL particles will be present than
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previously and there will be twice as much chance of the calcium carbonate colliding with the

concentrated hydrochloric acid. Therefor when the concentration is doubled the time take

for the reaction should be halved. I think that I will be able to see this clearly in my results. I

think that each time the over all amount of gas given off would be the same due to there

being the same amount of Chalk each time. The rate of reaction should continue to increase

until another factor slows ...

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