The effect of concentration on a reaction rate with hydrolic acid over the magnesium chip.

Essay by meetaHigh School, 10th gradeA, September 2004

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The effect of concentration on a reaction rate

Aim: In this experiment I have been offered a choice to investigate absolutely anything that I desire to see the diverse effects therefore I have decided to investigate the concentration of the hydrochloric acid with the magnesium chip. I will be altering the concentration of the acid to explore the rates at which it reacts with magnesium, and to see at which concentration more quantity of hydrogen gas is emitted. Besides this investigation there are other key variables that could be used such as the size of the magnesium chips, increasing the temperature, increasing the surface area of the magnesium chip and a catalyst could be used.

Introduction: In my experiment the reactants are hydrochloric acid and the magnesium strip. The chemical reaction takes place when the magnesium strip is dropped into the hydrochloric acid. During this reaction the products that are formed are magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas and the symbol equation for this reaction is:

Mg + 2HCl = MgCl2 + H2

The word equation:

Magnesium + Hydrochloric acid = Magnesium Chloride + Hydrogen

Magnesium is a solid; hydrochloric acid and magnesium chloride are aqueous and hydrogen is in the form of a gas.

Magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid, because it is higher in the reactivity series to hydrogen. When the two chemicals react a displacement reaction usually takes place and the magnesium will displace the hydrogen in the hydrochloric acid forming magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas.

Recording Results: There are several different ways in which I could record my results.

I could measure the amount of gas evolved with a gas syringe then use these results to calculate the rate of the reaction.

I could gauge the weight before and after the experiment by placing the conical with the...