Chemistry IA | BANG PHAM

How do different catalyst solutions of transition metal compounds (Copper

(II) sulfate, Iron (II) sulfate) affect the speed of reaction between Sodium
thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) and Iron III Nitrate (Fe (NO3)3)?

INTRODUCTION
My first time to know about Chemistry was by watching a random video on a social network. I do
not remember what reacted to the experiment that a researcher did, but I am still impressed by how
surprised the solution changed color from colorless to shiny gold. So, when I got the IA
requirements, I decided to look for some experiments that can change the colors, then to know
how it works. Some keywords that I have learned from 3 quarters of IB Chemistry such as
geometry, transition metals, redox, and factors that affect reaction speed guided me to look for an
experiment that I know about. Then, an idea appeared, which is to invest in how different catalyst
solutions of transition metal compounds affect the reaction speed between Sodium thiosulfate and
Iron (III) nitrate. I wonder what the products’ colors look like, and how the catalysts work.
Transition metals have unique electronic structures and the ability to form complexes with other
molecules, which means, they can catalyze many reactions by lowering the activation energy
required, including reaction between Sodium thiosulphate and Iron (III) nitrate. By introducing
different transition metals into the reaction mixture, we can observe how the rate of the reaction is
affected and gain insights into the catalytic activity of these metals. Sadly, I can find only Copper
(II) sulfate and Iron (II) sulfate to do this experiment, due to the dangers, and ran out of Cobalt (II)
chloride. So, this IA research will use my data from real experiments but add in the data I research
about the effect of Cobalt (II) chloride to vary the trials and make a more reliable conclusion.
In this experiment, I will be investigating the transition metals-catalyzed redox between Sodium
thiosulphate and Iron (III) nitrate:
2𝐹𝑒(𝑁𝑂3 )3 + 3𝑁𝑎2 𝑆2 𝑂3 → 𝐹𝑒2 (𝑆2 𝑂3 )3 + 6𝑁𝑎𝑁𝑂3 (No catalyzed)
The dependent data are quantitative (time) and quanlitative (color change); independent data are
different catalysts in same amount of mol and the concentration of reactants. Doing many trials
for each experiment (no catalysed, catalysed with Iron (II), catalysed with Cu (II)) and time how
long it takes to become colorless. We will then describe the experimental procedures used to
investigate the effect of different transition metals on the reaction rate and present the results of
our experiments later in this report. Once we determine which catalyst boosts the reaction speed
up, and how the products look like, we can explain what happened. Finally, we will discuss the
implications of our findings, and suggest areas for further research.
RESEARCH QUESTION

How do different catalyst solutions of transition metal compounds (Copper (II) sulfate, Iron
(II)) sulfate affect the speed of reaction between
Sodium thiosulfate (𝑁𝑎2 𝑆2 𝑂3 ) and Iron III Nitrate (𝐹𝑒(𝑁𝑂3 )3 )?

BACKGROUND
ACTIVATION ENERGY, TRANSITION METALS, AND CATALYSE
For a reaction to take place, or a collision strong enough
to break down and form new bonds, the particles must
have a certain minimum value for their kinetic energy,
known as the activation energy. This energy is
necessary for overcoming repulsion between molecules,
and often for breaking some bonds in the reactants
before they can react (Catrin Brown & Mike Ford,
2009). There are many ways to lower activation energy
such as adding catalyst, increasing temperature,
increasing concentration of reactants, decreasing
pressure, adding surface area.
In this experiment, we do all trials in the same condition Figure 1. Effect of Catalyst on lower activation energy
(same temperature, pressure) and use reactants
(Sodium thiosulfate and Iron (III) Nitrate) in same concentration, surface area from same
container. Thing different from each trial group is kind of catalyst (Iron II or Copper II).
Catalysts lower the activation energy of a chemical reaction by providing an alternative
pathway with a lower activation energy than the uncatalyzed reaction (ChemTalk, 2019). In an
uncatalyzed reaction, the reactants must collide with enough energy and in the correct orientation
to overcome the activation energy barrier and form the products. However, in the presence of a
catalyst, the reactants can interact with the catalyst to form an intermediate species or transition
state that requires less energy to convert into the final products. This alternative pathway lowers
the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed and allows more reactant molecules to
overcome the barrier and form products in a given amount of time.
As Introduction mentioned that both of catalysts used for this experiment are transition metals.
They are a group of elements that have partically filled d-orbital so often called as d-block in the
period table. With that unique orbital and structural properties, transition metals are excellent
catalysts in various mechanisms such as Redox, adsorption, ligand exchange and acid-base
catalyst. In this experiment, Iron II and Copper II catalyse with its redox property as they have
multiple oxidation states which are experimentally observed.
 Figure 2. Ionisation energy of different transition metals

As the less IE (ionization energy) the element is, the easier to take or gain an electron from it. In
this experiment, we take care on Fe, Co and Cu, which we can see have their IE Fe > Co > Cu.
(Chemistry, 2020)

ON EXPERIMENT
The reaction between Sodium Sodium thiosulfate (𝑁𝑎2 𝑆2 𝑂3) and Iron III Nitrate (𝐹𝑒(𝑁𝑂3 )3 ) can
be specify step-by-step in the following parts (Please note that 𝑁𝑂3 and 𝑆2 𝑂3 are resonance
strutures that the double bond can swap with single bond).
Step 1: Reactants are soluted into ions on solution.

Figure 3. Iron (III) Nitrate solution Figure 4. Sodium Thilosulfate solution

 Step 2: Iron (III) ion reacts with thilosulfate ion, initially the iron (III) and thiosulfate ions
form an unstable complex (which is dark violet in colour).
2 Na2S2O3 + Fe (NO3)3 → 2 NaNO3 + Fe2(S2O3) 3 + 2 NaHSO4)
Step 3: Thilosulfate acts as a reducing agent, reduce Iron (III) into Iron (II), form FeS 2O3
which is colorless becausee Fe (2+) is shielded by water which block the light wave reach
d-orbital; HSO4- doesn’t have d-orbital so it is also colorless. This process can be boosted
with catalyst.
Fe2(S2O3) 3 → 2 Fe (3+) + 2 S2O3 (2-) + H2O → 2 Fe (2+) + 4 HSO4 -

HYPOTHESIS
Because Iron (III) has lost three electrons to become a Fe 3+ ion, resulting in a configuration of
[Ar]3d5 which is half-filled 3d subshell, more stable than Fe 2+ which has less stable configuration
and larger radius due to the presence of two more electrons, so the process of reduction Iron (III)
into Iron (II) by thiosulfate is not spontaneous and request energy to overcome the energy barrier
between the two oxidation states. So, we suppose that the reaction speed will be faster if we add-
in catalysts. Morever, as copper (II) is greater stability in aqueous solution and more potential
oxidation, it can catalyse a redox reaction better than what Iron (II) can do, which can lead to result
that the reaction speed without catalyst is lowest speed, then catalysed by Iron (II) and the fastest
one is catalysed by Copper (II).
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Variables
Variable Impact upon How it changed /
investigation measured / controlled
Independent Presence of an amount of As background knowledge All of solution taken from
variables catalyst. has mentioned, the school’ lab with teacher
presence of catalyst boosts support, make sure the
No catalyst up the reaction speed. In concentration is certain. Used
1ml of CuSO4 (0.1M) and no this experiment I change different pipette to take exact
FeSO4 only the presence of each amount of solution.
1ml of FeSO4 (0.1M) and no catalyst on trials to know
CuSO4 how effect they do

Dependent Time that reaction finish. As background knowledge Measure by phone’s timer. I
variables Determinated right after has mentioned, Iron (III) prepared every reactants on
everything mixed and stop will be reduced by designed amount, one hand
when the aq totally turn thiosulfate under different mix the reactants and add-in
colorless. (By second) catalysts. To know the time catalyst (or not), another hand
of reaction, take place, I touch to begin the timer.
can determinate which
catalyst works better and To know when the reaction
find out why. We know finish, I drew a cross under the
that the presence of bottom of cylinder and
catalyst reduce cost time of observe the change of color
reaction but not the energy from the top. Until I can see
requested.
 the cross clearly 4 sides, the
reaction finish.
Controlled Temperature Higher temperature Let everything participate on
Variables provides higher kinetic this experiment rest in room
energy for molecules in the temperature for a while (20
solution. The faster it minutes), time to do trials as
moves, the more it collide, closed to each other as much
and the reaction is more as possible.
likely to happen. Or, in
other word, the reaction No shaking or provide heat for
speed is faster the cylinder in any ways. Let
the cylinder stay stabe.
Ratio of concentration and The change of All of solution taken from
volume between Sodium concentration and volume school’ lab with teacher
thiosulfate and Iron (III) can change the reaction support, make sure the
nitrate (10ml: 10ml) (0.1M) speed. concentration is certain. Used
different pipette to take exact
If there is an excess of amount of solution.
thiosulfate ion, there are
more likely to form
Fe2(S2O3)3 rather than
FeS2O3 which is not
colourless and on the
contrary FeS2O3 more than
Fe2(SO3)3.

Also, the higher the

concentration, molecules
easier to collide, break and
form bond => increasing
reaction speed.
Uncontrolled Pressure Pressure can affect the rate It is too hard to control it on a
Variables of reaction as stronger simple lab. However, all of the
pressure make faster the trials doing at the same place
reaction is. so might minimise this bad
effect.

Materials
Item name Degree of accuracy Associated uncertainty
Eyes protection (glasses) - -
Dropping pipette 5ml ±0.01ml
Glass measuring cylinder 50ml ±0.01ml

Chemical Volume Concentration

Na2S2O3 200ml 0.1M
Fe (NO3)3 200ml 0.1M
FeSO4 20ml 0.1M
CuSO4 20ml 0.1M
METHOD
Preparation
Prepare all the above materials, to minimize the time gap between steps and also reduce the risks
of experiment, we must:
1. Wear blouse, eyes glasses protection.
2. Draw a cross in a small white paper, then stick the paper to the bottom of 50ml cylinder.
3. Set up the marked cylinder in a place that stable.
4. Pour 10ml of Sodium Thiosulfate 1M to the marked cylinder (*)
5. Prepare 10ml of Iron (III) nitrate 1M on a pipette.
Start the experiment
If the experiment’ trials are non-catalysed, we continue from step 5:
6. Quickly drop prepared 10ml of Iron (III) nitrate 1M to the marked cylinder. (*)
7. Start the timer and set the eye straight into the cylinder from its top.
8. Take note data until it turns colorless then stop the timer.
9. Repeat the process for 6 times.
If the experiment’ trials are catalysed, we continue from step 5:
6. Quickly drop 1ml of catalyst (CuSO 4 or FeSO4) into the marked cylinder (*) avoid them
oxidated by oxygen in the air.
7. Continue as step 7, 8, 9.

Figure 5. Set up observation position to timing the reaction.

SAFETY, ETHICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
SAFETY
As most of the reactants are toxic, and the position to observe is straight to the way solution can
vaporize right into our eyes, and repeat many trials increase the chance to interact with chemical
by skin. So, safety requirements are necessary.
Chemical Risk How to avoid / minmise Disposal
Fe (NO3)3 1M Inhalation of iron (III) Wearing appropriate Do not mix it
nitrate dust or vapors may personal protective with other
cause respiratory irritation, equipment (such as gloves chemical
such as coughing or and eye protection), without
shortness of breath. working in a well-ventilated knowledge
Ingestion of iron (III) nitrate area, and avoiding ingestion about how they
may cause gastrointestinal or prolonged skin contact. will react. Try
upset, including nausea, Iron (III) nitrate should be to dispose it
vomiting, and diarrhea. Skin stored in a cool, dry, and with lot of
and eye contact with iron well-ventilated area, away water to dilute
(III) nitrate solutions may from incompatible solutions as
cause irritation or substances such as reducing they go into
dermatitis. agents or flammable the sink.
materials.
CuSO4 1M Inhalation of copper (II) Wearing appropriate Do not mix it
sulfate dust or vapors can personal protective with other
cause respiratory irritation, equipment (such as gloves chemical
such as coughing or and eye protection), without
shortness of breath. working in a well-ventilated knowledge
Ingestion of copper (II) area, and avoiding ingestion about how they
sulfate can cause or prolonged skin contact. will react. Try
gastrointestinal upset, Copper (II) sulfate should to dispose it
including nausea, vomiting, be stored in a cool, dry, and with lot of
and diarrhea. Skin and eye well-ventilated area, away water to dilute
contact with copper (II) from incompatible solutions as
sulfate solutions can cause substances such as reducing they go into
irritation, dermatitis, and agents or flammable the sink.
conjunctivitis. materials.
FeSO4 1M Although its toxicity is Wearing appropriate Do not mix it
generally lower than other personal protective with other
iron compounds, but equipment (such as gloves chemical
ingestion of ferrous sulfate and eye protection), without
can cause gastrointestinal working in a well-ventilated knowledge
upset, including nausea, area, and avoiding ingestion about how they
vomiting, and diarrhea. or prolonged skin contact. will react. Try
Inhalation of ferrous sulfate Copper (II) sulfate should to dispose it
dust or vapors can cause be stored in a cool, dry, and with lot of
respiratory irritation, such as well-ventilated area, away water to dilute
 coughing or shortness of from incompatible solutions as
breath. Skin and eye contact substances such as reducing they go into
with ferrous sulfate agents or flammable the sink.
solutions can cause materials.
irritation, dermatitis, and
conjunctivitis.

ETHICAL
This experiment uses not too dangerous chemical to human beings or any animals and does no bad
impact on them as there is no animal participate on the experiment for a sample. Generally, it is
considered as ethical.
In the original experiment, it requested to use Cobalt (II) which is a toxic heavy metal that can be
harmful to humans at certain levels of exposure (much more dangerous than Copper (II) and Iron
(II). To stay safety and ethical, the Cobalt chemical has been removed from this experiment,
however, the result of the reaction catalysed with Cobalt will be taken from other research paper
and use as a part of data to discuss in the analysis and conclusion parts.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
This experiment is done inside school lab, under observation and support from teacher to make
sure there is no waste (specially chemicals) go directly to the environment. Although FeSO 4 can
react and bring bad effects to nature, we dispose of it carefully and work on a low concentration.

RESULT AND ANALYSIS

Quantitative Data
Catalyst Time
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
None 53.2s 50.5s 59.5s 49.3s 55.3s 60.1s
1ml CuSO4 (0.1M) 5.3s 4.7s 5.3s 4.5s 5.5s 4.9s
1ml FeSO4 (0.1M) 33.0s 29.7s 36.1s 35.9s 33.0s 36.5s
 Time needed to the solution turns colorless under effect of different catalysts.
70
59.5 60.1
60 53.2 55.3
50.5 49.3
50
Time (second)

40 36.135.9 36.5
33 33
29.7
30

20

10 5.3 4.7 5.3 4.5 5.5 4.9

0
None Catalysed with CuSO4 Catalysed with FeSO4

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Trial 6

Quanlitative Data
Before the experiments, sodium thiosulfate was colorless, iron (III) nitrate was brown-yellow,
sodium sulfate was sky-blue, and iron (II) sulfate was light green. At the beginning, right after
sodium thiosulfate mixed with iron (III) nitrate, the solution turned dark brown on all experiments.
However, when some visible brown flow began to mix well, it turned colorless most quickly at
experiments with copper sulfate, then iron (II) sulfate and slowest one was no catalyst.
There was no precipitation at the bottom, these solutions seem to be tottally turned into aqueous.
Observation no gas bubble appeared also.
Calculations
Average time (AT) of each experiment (6 trials)
𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 6 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠
𝐴𝑇 =
6
Uncertainty for the average (AU)
ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
𝑈𝑀 =
2
Percentage uncertainty (PU)
𝑈𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 (𝐴𝑈 )
𝑃𝑈 (%) = × 100%
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 (𝐴𝑇 )
Standard deviation (SD or σ)
 ∑(𝑥 − 𝜇)2
σ= √
𝑁

In this formula,

x is each value from the population.

𝜇 is the population average (mean).

N is the size of the population.

Standard error (SE)

σ
SE =
√𝑁

Processed Data
AT (s) AU (s) PU SD SE
None 54.65 5.4 9.88% 4.11 1.68
Catalysed with CuSO4 5.03 0.2 3.98% 0.36 0.15
Catalysed with FeSO4 34.03 3.4 10% 2.41 0.98

Average time the solution turns colorless under effect of different catalysts.
60
54.65

50

40
Time (second)

34.03

30

20

10 5.03

0
None Catalysed with CuSO4 Catalysed with FeSO4
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
Trends, Pattern and Relationships
Observe the graph, we can say that there is a significant change in average time the solution turns
colorless under different catalysts. When there is nothing added in, it takes 54.65s, when there is
FeSO4 lowering the reaction time to 34.03s, more effectively, CuSO 4 catalysed the reaction fast
into 5.03s. So, the presense of transition metals make sense on catalyse this redox reaction.
In some researchs, the presence of Cobalt (II) reduces the reaction time less effectively than iron
about 5% which means 35.73s in this experiment. As background research has mentioned,
transition metals have multiple oxidation states. Copper (II) has a partially filled d-orbital in its
+2-oxidation state, which makes it effective in facilitating electron transfer. The reduction potential
of copper (II) is higher than that of iron (III), which means that copper (II) has a greater tendency
to accept electrons and undergo reduction. This property allows copper (II) to act as an effective
catalyst in the reaction between sodium thiosulfate and iron (III) nitrate. Cobalt (II) also has a
partially filled d-orbital in its +2-oxidation, but its reduction potential is lower than that of copper
(II). This means that cobalt (II) has a lower tendency to accept electrons and undergo reduction,
which may make it less effective as a catalyst in this specific reaction. However, it shows us
another trend made from oxidation state posibilities: the more it is the better catalysed ability the
transition metal is.
No catalyst FeSO4 catalyst CuSO4 catalyst
100.0% time needed 62.2% time needed 9.2% time needed

Reliable
We have 6 trials for each experiment, a quite small number for a population on research. In standard
deviation and standard error, there are 2 big number for no-catalyst and catalysed-FeSO4 results
which show a less reliable evidence to prove this reaction took that time. But to compare to the
size of bar chart, the error bar seems have a fine range which means even there might be a bigger
trend to bigger or smaller possible values group, these values are still on acceptable range to
determinate the rank order of reaction speed.
CONCLUSION
Effect of transition metal catalysts on colorless turning process
FeSO4 catalyst reduces 37.8% time needed, CuSO4 catalyst reduces 90.8% time needed. The
catalytic activity of a metal is determined by several factors, including its oxidation state, electronic
configuration, coordination geometry, and accessibility of the active site. While copper, iron, and
cobalt all have similar numbers of common oxidation states, they differ in other factors that can
affect their catalytic activity.
One reason copper may work better than iron and cobalt in certain catalytic reactions is its
electronic configuration. Copper has a partially filled d-orbital in its +2-oxidation state, which
makes it more effective in certain reactions that involve the transfer of electrons. Additionally,
copper can exhibit redox activity even in its +1-oxidation state, which can make it useful in certain
catalytic processes.
Another reason copper may be more effective in certain catalytic reactions is its accessibility.
Copper can form highly porous structures, such as copper zeolites, that provide a large surface area
for catalytic reactions to occur. In contrast, iron and cobalt are typically more limited in the types
of structures they can form.
Mechanism of colorless turning process is thilosulfate reduces iron (III) into iron (II). This process
is not spontaneous as mentioned in background research but even with the provide of energy by
increasing kinetic, the change to collide and react between them is still low by its geometry and
gap of oxidated / reducted energy. The presence of these transition metals provides reduction an
easier way to be oxidated, and the oxidation compounds are easier to receive electron from the
transition metals. If a transition metal have multiple oxidation states, it can changes easily into
suitable form for best kinetic for the reaction happens.
Hypothesis and research question confirm.
In the hypothesis, we got main ideas that answered in the experimentally analysis. The speed of
reaction is faster when there is catalyst, especially lower ionisation energy one so effectiveness of
catalyst is Fe < Co < Cu.
So back to the research question we can say that all of these catalyst boost up the speed of redox
reaction, where Fe is worst, Co is better and Cu is the best. Effectiveness depends on
ionisation energy, multiple oxidation states, element properties and compounds’ geometry.
EVALUATION
Good points
Source Influence on the result
Clear method Step-by-step both method and explanation of mechanism allows me to work
on it quickly and simply. Although to repeatsame trials but request to wash
again the cylinder took a lot of time but it was reduced at all.
Ethical and not All the chemicals are not poisonous directly and strong enough to affect me
dangerous during the experiment. It is also good to share for other students next year
work on it easier.
Various and clear There are more than 5 calculations on this research, provide good insight and
calculations data for a more significant and reliable results.
Uncertainity and need to improvement.
Source Influence on the result Suggested improvement
Gap time Did not able to determinate the Need support from another
(uncertainity of uncertainity of time because it depent too researcher who can timing
time) much on human reaction. I was not sure individually than doing
the time I pressed start and stop were experiments.
correct and the gap time (time that Need to use a better
reaction must be counted or removed) stopwatch than a phone.
was not possible to determinated as
uncertainity value.
The change of the Did not able to determinate the change of Need a light sensor that
colour color in each trial were the same. Some measure ability of aborption
trials might seem colorless earlier and light in the solution.
later than it was truthly perfect colorless
in same way. It makes the quanlitative
data less reliable and significant. Also,
make the timing worse.
Poor variety of There is only bar chart graph, provide Need to research more and
graphs only the information about the speed of find various data for a more
reaction but not relationship between objective conclusion.
oxidation number and reaction rate or
other mechanism.

References
Catrin Brown & Mike Ford. (2009). Chemistry IB Diploma textbook. Pearson Baccalaureate.
Chemistry. (2020). Retrieved from BYJU'S: [Link]
ChemTalk. (2019). Catalyst & Activation energy. Retrieved from ChemTalk:
[Link]
energy/#:~:text=A%20catalyst%20lowers%20the%20activation,difference%20between%
20reactant%20and%20product.