Introduction

The dependence of a reaction on concentration and order of reaction isdescribed by a

rate law that has the following form:

Rate = k [A]x[B]y[C]z

where k is the rate of constant, x is the order of a reaction with respect to reactant A, y
is the order of reaction with respect to reactant B,z is the order of reaction with
respect to reactant C and [ ] represent concentration in moles per litre. The sum of x,y
and z is known as the overall order of reaction. Even though temperature is not
included in the rate law, its plays an important role in the rate of reaction so it must be
held constant during a kinetic experiment. The rate of a reaction must be determined
experimentally and it cannot be determined by looking at the balanced chemical
equation.

In order to determine the speed of the reaction we are going to focus on the
permanganate and simply equate the speed with the time it takes to use up the
permanganate. The method of initial rates will be used to find the exponents x and y.
this method involves measuringa nd comparing the initial rates of reaction when
different initial concentrations are used. Teh initial rate for each being the potassium
permanganate concentration divided by time. There is an assumption made here that
is not always valid: we will be measuring tfinal to determine each rate. For experiments
1 and 2 we can write the rate expressions as :

Rate1 = k [KMnO4]1X[H2C2O4]1y Rate1 = [KMnO4]1/ t1

Rate2 = k [KMnO4]2X[H2C2O4]2y Rate2 = [KMnO4]2 / t2

Taking the ratio of the two rates:

Rate1 / Rate2 = ([KMnO4]1 / [KMnO4]2)X

In these reactions [H2C2O4]1 = [H2C2O4]2, and thus can be cancelled out.

Thus, we can detremine x. In similar manner, y, the order reaction with respect to
oxalic acid can be determined if we compare experiments 1 and 3.
Procedures

Three burettes contained KMnO4, H2C2O4 and distilled water was set up. Each of
burettes was labelled. The exact molarities of KMnO4 and H2C2O4 was recorded. The
required amount of H2C2O4 and water (if any) was placed into a washed and dried
conical flask according to Table 4.1. the amounts was dictated by the experiment that
was doing. If the amount overshoot, we have to start again to get the exact amount as
this lab is very dependent on dispensing the exact quantities.

Table 4.1 : Volume of reagents required

Reagents Exp 1 Exp 2 Exp 3

cm3 cm3 cm3
H2C2O4 20.00 20.00 10.00
KMnO4 10.00 5.00 10.00
H2O 0.00 5.00 10.00

The required amount of KMnO4 was placed into a test tube. The KMnO4 solution was
added to the oxalic acid and the timing started when the permanganate tube was
emptied. The mixture was swirled to mix it and continued swirling until the solution
turns to light yellow. The timer was stopped and the time it actually took for the
reaction to take place was recorded. The step was repeated with a second and third
trial. The average reaction time of those three was recorded. Repeat all the steps
above for expeiment 2 and 3. The rate for each of the three experiments was
determined. The formula was [KMnO4]/taverage. The values of k, x and y were
determined. The full rate equation was
Rate = k [KMnO4]X[H2C2O4]y