Lab report: Factors affecting the rate of a reaction – Vitamin C clock reaction
Leonardo Sardagna
01/06/2024
Introduction:
The Vitamin C clock reaction, also known as the iodine clock reaction, is a chemical
experiment that illustrates the principles of reaction kinetics and the factors that affect the
rate of a reaction. The reaction involves the oxidation of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) by iodine
in the presence of starch, which serves as an indicator. The endpoint of the reaction is
marked by a sudden color change to blue-black due to the formation of the starch-iodine
complex. There are several factors that affect the rate of this reaction. The first one is
concentration of reactants.The rate of reaction increases with the concentration of
ascorbic acid. More molecules of vitamin C lead to more frequent collisions with iodine
molecules, increasing the reaction rate. Similarly, increasing the concentration of iodine
increases the reaction rate. More iodine molecules available mean more collisions and a
faster reaction. Another factor is temperature. The rate of reaction generally increases with
temperature. Higher temperatures provide reactant molecules with more kinetic energy,
resulting in more frequent and energetic collisions, thus increasing the reaction rate.
According to the Arrhenius equation, the reaction rate increases exponentially with
temperature. Another factor is the presence of a catalyst. Catalysts are substances that
increase the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process. In the case of the
Vitamin C clock reaction, a suitable catalyst can lower the activation energy, allowing the
reaction to proceed faster. Lastly, the last factor is surface area. If the reactants are in
different phases (e.g., solid vitamin C tablets in a liquid iodine solution), increasing the
surface area of the solid reactant (by crushing the tablets) can increase the reaction rate by
providing more area for the reaction to occur.
Aim:
The aim of this experiment is to investigate the factors affecting the rate of the Vitamin C
clock reaction. By systematically varying conditions such as the concentration of reactants
(ascorbic acid), we aim to understand how this variable influences the reaction rate. This
experiment will provide insights into the principles of reaction kinetics and demonstrate the
relationship between different factors and the rate of chemical reactions.
Variables:
Dependent: Time taken for the reaction to occur, so when the blue-black color appears
Independent: Concentration of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
Controlled: Temperature, volume of reactants, the concentrations of iodine solution,
hydrogen peroxide, and starch solution
First Reaction:
1. Iodine + Ascorbic Acid → Hydrogen Iodide + Dehydroascorbic Acid
𝐼2(𝑎𝑞)+C6H8O6(𝑎𝑞)→2HI(𝑎𝑞)+C6H6O6(𝑎𝑞)I2 (aq)+C6 H8 O6 (aq)→2HI(aq)+C6 H6 O6 (aq)
2. Dehydroascorbic Acid + Water → 2,3-Diketogulonic Acid
C6H6O6(𝑎𝑞)+H2O(𝑙)→C6H8O7(𝑎𝑞)C6 H6 O6 (aq)+H2 O(l)→C6 H8 O7 (aq)
Second reaction:
1. Hydrogen Peroxide + Hydrogen Iodide → Iodine + Water
H2O2(𝑎𝑞)+2HI(𝑎𝑞)→𝐼2(𝑎𝑞)+2H2O(𝑙)H2 O2 (aq)+2HI(aq)→I2 (aq)+2H2 O(l)
2. Iodine + Starch → Iodine-Starch Complex (Blue-black color)
Safety:
Iodine Solution:
● Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from splashes.
● Use gloves (preferably nitrile) to avoid skin contact.
● If iodine solution comes into contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of water
and soap.
● If it gets into the eyes, rinse thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes and seek
medical attention.
● If inhaled and breathing becomes difficult, move the person to fresh air and seek
medical attention.
Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂)
● Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from splashes.
● Use gloves (preferably nitrile) to avoid skin contact.
● Wear a lab coat or apron to protect your clothing and skin.
● If hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of
water.
● If it gets into the eyes, rinse thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes and seek
medical attention.
● If ingested, do not induce vomiting; seek medical attention immediately.
● If inhaled and breathing becomes difficult, move the person to fresh air and seek
medical attention.
Materials:
● Measuring cylinder 100ml, 50 ml (± 0,10ml)
● Volumetric flask 100 ml (± 0,10ml)
● Funnel
● Distilled water
● Pipette
● Balance (± 0,1g)
● Spoon
● 2 Beaker 100 ml
● Stopwatch
● Goggles
● Gloves
● Iodine 5ml
● Starch 5g
● Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) 10 ml, 3%
● Ascorbic acid (C6H8O6) 5 ml
Calculations:
3% Concentration of Hydrogen peroxide in 100ml= 0. 03 × 100 = 10𝑚𝑙
Mass of 0.005 mol of Ascorbic acid (C6H8O6)=
0, 005 × (6 × 12, 01 + 8 × 1. 01 + 6 × 16) = 0. 88 𝑔 = 1𝑔
Procedure:
1.Prepare Solution A:
- Pour 100 mL of ascorbic acid (C₆H₈O₆) solution into a measuring cylinder.
- Measure 5 mL of iodine solution using another measuring cylinder.
- Mix the ascorbic acid and iodine solutions into a volumetric flask.
- Label this solution as "Solution A".
Solution A
2. Prepare Solution B:
- Weigh 5 grams of starch using a balance.
- Pour 100 mL of distilled water into a measuring cylinder.
- Add the starch into a beaker and then pour in the distilled water.
- Stir the mixture thoroughly until the starch is completely dissolved in the water.
- Label this beaker as "Solution B".
Solution B
3. Prepare Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions:
- Using a volumetric flask, dilute the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) solution to the required
concentrations as shown in the table below.
4. Conduct the Reaction:
- Measure 20 mL of Solution A using a measuring cylinder.
- Pour the first hydrogen peroxide solution (Sample A) into a beaker.
- Add the 20 mL of Solution A to the beaker containing Sample A.
- Immediately start the stopwatch and mix the solution until a color change is observed.
- Record the time it takes for the color to change.
5. Repeat the Procedure:
- Repeat the above steps for each of the different hydrogen peroxide samples.
- Ensure that all measurements and procedures are consistent for each sample to ensure
accurate results.
6. Record and Analyze Data:
- Record the times taken for the color change for each sample.
- Plot a graph of reaction time against hydrogen peroxide concentration.
Tables:
Samples 1 2 3 4 5
Volume of 10 20 30 40 50
H2OH 3%,
ml
Volume of 10 10 10 10 10
solution B,
ml
Volume of 40 30 20 10 0
H2O
Sample time, s
1 99.8
2 58.8
3 42.8
4 33.8
5 26.8
Graph:
Conclusion:
1.The reaction whose rate is being measured in the Vitamin C clock reaction is the oxidation
of vitamin C (ascorbic acid, C₆H₈O₆) by iodine (I₂). The overall reaction can be summarized
as follows:
C6H8O6+I2→C6H6O6+2I−C6H8O6+I2→C6H6O6+2I−
Ascorbic acid reduces iodine to iodide ions while being oxidized to dehydroascorbic
acid.Once all the ascorbic acid is consumed, the excess iodine (I₂) reacts with iodide ions (I⁻)
to form triiodide ions (I₃⁻).The triiodide ions then react with starch to form a blue-black
complex, indicating the endpoint of the reaction.The time it takes for the blue-black color to
appear is measured, which indicates the point at which all the ascorbic acid has been
oxidized, and the excess iodine is free to react with starch.The rate of the reaction is inferred
from the time taken for the color change to occur. Shorter times indicate a faster reaction
rate, while longer times indicate a slower reaction rate.
In summary, the rate being measured is the rate at which ascorbic acid is oxidized by iodine,
which can be indirectly observed by the time it takes for the color change to occur in the
presence of starch.
2. The second reaction needs to occur faster, because the formation of the blue-black
complex needs to occur almost instantaneously once the ascorbic acid is exhausted. This
ensures a clear and sudden color change, making it easier to measure the time to endpoint
accurately.
3. The first reaction needs to occur slower, because the slower oxidation reaction allows for
precise measurement of the time it takes for the reaction to reach the endpoint (color
change). If this reaction were too fast, it would be challenging to measure the rate
accurately, and small differences in reactant concentrations would be harder to detect.
4. The key differences between a clock reaction and other color-changing reactions lie in the
distinct, sudden color change at a specific time. Because In a clock reaction, the color
change happens instantaneously after a certain period, which can be predicted and
measured accurately. This characteristic "delayed" color change is what defines a clock
reaction. While in any other color-change reaction the change in color occurs gradually as
the reaction proceeds. The color intensity typically changes continuously with time and the
progress of the reaction.
5. The rate of reaction and the time it takes for a reaction to occur are inversely related. Rate
of reaction refers to how quickly reactants are used up or products appear, typically
measured in terms of concentration change per unit time (e.g., molarity per second). On the
other hand, the time of reaction is the duration it takes for a reaction to reach a specific point,
such as completion or the appearance of a product. When the rate of reaction is high, the
reaction progresses rapidly, resulting in a shorter time for the reaction to reach its endpoint.
Conversely, when the rate of reaction is low, the reaction proceeds more slowly, leading to a
longer time to reach the endpoint. In practical terms, if a reaction completes quickly (e.g., in
30 seconds), it indicates a high rate of reaction. Conversely, if the reaction takes longer (e.g.,
120 seconds), it suggests a lower rate of reaction.
6. According to collision theory, the rate of a chemical reaction is dependent on the
frequency of collisions between reactant molecules that possess sufficient energy to
overcome the activation energy barrier. The relationship between the concentration of
reactants and the rate of the reaction can be explained as follows: When the concentration
of reactants is increased, there are more reactant molecules available in the reaction
mixture.This higher concentration leads to an increased probability of collisions occurring
between reactant molecules.With more collisions happening per unit time, there is a greater
likelihood of successful collisions. Consequently, the rate of the reaction increases as there
are more successful collisions per unit time. Conversely, if the concentration of reactants is
decreased, there are fewer reactant molecules present in the reaction mixture. With fewer
reactant molecules available, the probability of collisions between them decreases. As a
result, the frequency of effective collisions leading to a reaction decreases. Consequently,
the rate of the reaction decreases because there are fewer successful collisions per unit
time.
Evaluation:
Overall, the experiment on the Vitamin C clock reaction provides valuable insights into
reaction kinetics and the factors affecting reaction rates. However, several aspects of the
experiment could be improved for better results and enhanced understanding: The precision
and consistency of measurements and procedures are crucial for obtaining accurate results.
Standardizing procedures, using calibrated instruments, and performing multiple trials would
improve the reliability of the data. Conducting the experiment in a controlled environment
with stable temperature and lighting conditions would minimize external influences on
reaction rates, ensuring more reliable results. While the experiment focuses on the
concentration of ascorbic acid as the independent variable, exploring additional factors such
as pH, temperature, and the presence of catalysts could provide a more comprehensive
understanding of the reaction kinetics. Seeking input and feedback from peers or instructors
through a peer review process could help identify potential areas for improvement and
ensure the rigor and validity of the experiment. By addressing these areas for improvement,
the experiment on the Vitamin C clock reaction could yield more accurate and insightful
results, contributing to a deeper understanding of reaction kinetics and the factors
influencing chemical reactions.
