Discussion
The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of increasing surface area on the rate of reaction. I hypothesized that the greater the surface area the faster the reaction will be. My hypothesis was correct and is proven through the recorded results of the experiment: the greater the surface area the faster the reaction and thus; more oxygen is produced.
There were obvious limitations to the experiment to achieve very accurate results and this resulted from such things as difficulties in cutting the potato cubes to accurate dimensions, and also incorrect reading of the meniscus when measuring the amount of oxygen produced (eye-level should be directly level with the meniscus and not be viewed at an angle). Another limitation that arose for our group experiment was the rubber tubing attached to the stopper. There appeared to be holes in the tube which prevented the production of the gas, oxygen.
Other problems that arose were the unexpected results that were recorded in comparison to other group results as evident in the table of results recorded for the class. Group 4’s results were outliers in comparison to other results. Reasons for this could be from experimental errors such as incorrect conduction of experiment (such as not fully filling up the measuring cylinder with water where oxygen is collected) or incorrect reading of meniscus.
As for the accuracy of data, my group conducted two tests to determine accuracy of data. The data that was recorded for my group was very accurate as the results attained were very close readings to each other and this is evident in the table of results for the group results.
There were some design faults to the experiment through the apparatus to be used to conduct the experiment such as easy leakage of water through the rubber tubing and also the difficulty in setting the measuring cylinder where oxygen is collected. It was hard to set it into the water bowl without letting escape from it.
In conclusion, there were a lot of issues that were discussed such as the limitations, accuracy of data, unexpected results and design faults of the experiment which provoked experimental errors.
New directions or approaches for research would be better if it was in groups just like I this experiment but probably with only two people per group would be better as the experiment can consequently, be conducted faster and there is bound to be more cooperation between only two people. Also, background information and research on the topic in the case of experiments could be researched so as to minimize problems and know what is expected. In the case of other forms of research teachers can provide background information about the topic to teachers and set a certain criteria so that the students know what is expected of them. Another different approach towards research could be that the assignment be assigned to individuals and not groups so that the one person is ensured to do all the research and not rely on others.
Conclusion
From the observations made on the experiment on ‘the investigation of increasing surface area on the rate of reaction’ , it is correct to state that: there is faster rate of reaction or (the rate of reaction is increased) with increasing surface area.
A greater surface area means that more surfaces are exposed in smaller cubes (in smaller cubes, for e.g.2[½ x ½ x ½ cm cubes ]have greater surface area than a cube measuring 1 x1x 1cm) even though they are the same volume, as reaction can take place faster on smaller surfaces and thus, more oxygen is produced.
Therefore, all the above proves that my hypothesis was correct when I hypothesized “that the higher the surface area the quicker the reaction will take place”.
