An Investigation Into the Rate of Reaction Between Hydrochloric Acid and Magnesium- Planning

GCSE Science

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE RATE OF REACTION BETWEEN HYDROCHLORIC ACID AND MAGNESIUM – PLANNING

The aim of this investigation is to find out the effect of the rate in the reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl(aq)) and magnesium (Mg(s)).

Before beginning the experiment of finding out the effect of the rate of reaction between hydrochloric acid and magnesium, I will have to understand the meaning of rate of reaction and the factors that affect it.

Collision Theory

The rate of a chemical reaction is a measure of how fast the reaction takes place. A chemical reaction only occurs when particles collide (hit each other). The collision theory describes how the rate of reaction increases (the amount of hydrogen produced per second) when the concentration of hydrochloric acid increases. The theory states that if the more concentrated the reactants, the greater the number of collisions between particles increase. As the reaction continues, the concentration of the reacting substances decreases and the rate of reaction decreases. In order for particles to collide and to react with each other there is a minimum amount of energy which is needed to break or form new bonds between the other particles, which is called a successful collision. If the particles have less than this minimum energy required to brake or form new bonds then there would be no reaction and the particles would just simply bounce off each other causing unsuccessful collision. The minimum energy which is required in order for the particles to collide is called the activation energy. It is important to remember that a rapid reaction is completed in a short period of time. Some reactions are very fast e.g. an explosive.

There are factors that may affect the rate of reaction, which are as follows:

Temperature.
Mass of a reactant.
Concentration of acid.
Surface area of a reactant.
Type of acid.

All of these factors will change the rate of reaction because of the Collision Theory.

Investigation

In this investigation I will test different concentrations of hydrochloric acid reacting with magnesium.

In the reaction between hydrochloric acid and magnesium ribbon, the hydrochloric acid will dissolve the magnesium and produce hydrogen gas. All chemical reactions involve reactants which when mixed may cause a chemical reaction which ...

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There are factors that may affect the rate of reaction, which are as follows:

Temperature.
Mass of a reactant.
Concentration of acid.
Surface area of a reactant.
Type of acid.

All of these factors will change the rate of reaction because of the Collision Theory.

Investigation

In this investigation I will test different concentrations of hydrochloric acid reacting with magnesium.

In my case the reactants are hydrochloric acid and magnesium ribbon. The chemical reaction takes place when the magnesium ribbon is dropped into the hydrochloric acid. The products that are formed during this reaction are hydrogen gas and magnesium chloride.

The formula equation for this experiment is:

Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)

Magnesium(solid) + Hydrochloric acid(liquid) → Magnesium Chloride(liquid) + Hydrogen(gas)

Magnesium will react with hydrochloric acid, because it is higher in the reactivity series than hydrogen. When the two chemicals react a displacement reaction will take place and the magnesium will displace the hydrogen in the hydrochloric acid forming magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas.

Reactivity Series

K (Potassium)

Na (Sodium)

Li (Lithium) All too dangerous to react with a strong acid.

Ca (Calcium)

……

Mg (Magnesium)

Al (Aluminium) Manageable metals. These metals will react with hydrochloric acid as they are higher in the reactivity series than hydrogen and so a displacement reaction will take place.

Zn (Zinc)

Fe (Iron)

……

H (Hydrogen)

……

Cu (Copper)

Pb (Lead) None of these metals will react with hydrochloric acid as they are all lower in the reactivity series than hydrogen, therefore a displacement reaction will not happen.

Ag (Silver)

Al (Gold)

Depending on certain factors the rate that this reaction will take place will either increase or decrease.

Question?

My question is to see that if I change the concentration of the Hydrochloric acid for each experiment I will see an increase or decrease in the rate of reaction between Hydrochloric acid and Magnesium ribbon.

An Investigation Into the Rate of Reaction Between Hydrochloric Acid and Magnesium- Planning