Rates of reaction

The experiments in this section illustrate different methods for measuring the speed of chemical reactions, for investigating the factors affecting the rate of a chemical reaction including the effect of catalysts.

While we are still at an early stage with this website it's probably more useful to look at the page with our complete list of experiments in alphabetical order. See the list on About this website.

We are starting with GCSE-level experiments.

Experiments

• Testing for enzymes

  Hydrogen peroxide is used to detect the presence of enzymes in liver, potato and celery.

• The cornflour ‘bomb’

  A small explosion, caused by the rapid combustion of cornflour, blows the lid off a tin.

• A solid-solid reaction

  Solid lead nitrate and solid potassium iodide are shaken together in a small jar. They quickly react to make yellow lead iodide.

• Involvement of catalysts in reactions

  This experiment shows the effect of a catalyst in the oxidation of potassium sodium tartrate.

• Catalysts for the thermal decomposition of potassium chlorate

  In this experiment various oxide catalysts are used to look at their effect on the thermal decomposition of potassium chlorate.

• Microbes and bread making using yeast

  This experiment investigates how temperature affects the expansion of bread dough.

• Catalysis of the reaction between sodium thiosulfate solution and iron(III) nitrate solution

  This experiment shows changes in the rate of reaction between iron(III) nitrate solution and sodium thiosulfate solution using a range of transition metal ions as catalysts.

• Catalysis of the reaction between sodium thiosulfate and hydrogen peroxide

  This demonstration shows how hydrogen peroxide oxidises sodium thiosulfate, and shows the effect of a catalyst on the reaction.

• Catalysis of the reaction between zinc and sulfuric acid

  This experiment shows the copper catalysed reaction of zinc with sulfuric acid to produce hydrogen.

• Rate of reaction of magnesium with hydrochloric acid

  The speed with which magnesium reacts with dilute acid can be found by measuring the volume of hydrogen gas produced as the reaction proceeds.

• Rates and rhubarb

  A simple experiment showing how the rate of reaction between rhubarb and potassium manganate(VII) changes with surface area and concentration.

• Iodine clock reaction

  Demonstration of the slow reaction between iodide ions and hydrogen peroxide – the time for a blue colour to appear can be varied by altering the conditions.

• Spontaneous exothermic reaction

  The delayed reaction between potassium manganate(VII) and glycerol.