A diagram of the apparatus I intend on using and how it will be assembled;
Safety- To ensure that the investigation is safe I will make sure that all equipment it correctly assembled, and I am wearing the appropriate safety wear and that everybody around is either dressed correctly or far enough away. Also the investigation will be performed in a sensible manner and there is no dangerous behaviour.
Prediction
When the experiment is taking place I believe that the magnesium in the hydrochloric acid will begin to bubble and then disappear, I also believe that the increase in temperature of the acid means that the reaction between it and the magnesium will increase in speed, so I feel that the test will show me that as the temperature increases the time for the reaction to completely take place will decrease. I came to my prediction through seeing in past tests and experiments throughout the year that temperature has increased many rates of reaction, so I believe the same will occur in this test.
Data
The results I obtain will be stored in a table; the results will be recorded on both temperature and time enabling me to give a clear graph showing my results. I will record the rate at which the magnesium reacts in hydrochloric acid at temperatures of; room temp (27), 40, 50, 60, 70 degrees, at each temperature, magnesium will be added to the acid, and the rate at which it takes to fully react and disappear will be recorded.
Method
- Collect all equipment.
- Fill the conical flask with 25ml of Hydrochloric acid.
- Heat the acid to the specified temperature.
- Add the magnesium strip (4cm) to the acid and start the stopwatch.
- Stop the stopwatch once the reaction has completely stopped.
- Add the results to the table.
- Repeat the test again, three times for each temperature.
Results
I am pleased with my investigation results and the outcome is what I expected, I completed the tests as accurately as possible but not completely accurate. Overall the investigation was a success and the results needed to be obtained, in order to prove my prediction, where received and the prediction was proven correct.
My results were not completely accurate; this was due to temperatures being at slight differences to what the investigation required e.g. 60degrees could of actually been over and at 63degrees. Other factors affected the investigation; these factors are minor things such as delays in timing response and slight different sizes of magnesium. Many things, not massive factors, but very minor factors give slightly non accurate answers. These inaccuracies are unavoidable and are due to human abilities, factors couldn’t have been made any more accurate unless done by machine.
Evaluation
I am pleased with the investigation results and the way, in which the tests were taken, even though the tests worked well they still were not completely accurate. All results matched my prediction and all results point towards my prediction. My results support my conclusion, as the temperature of hydrochloric acid increases the rate at which the magnesium react decreases. The results show clearly this conclusion and also once again back up my prediction.
To improve my investigation I would carry out the test double the amount of times and at more frequent temperatures, I would also use a water bath to keep the temperature of the acid the same throughout the reaction.
