Practical: Effect of Surface Area on Rate of Reaction (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (Modular))

Revision Note

Test yourself

Practical: Effect of surface area on rate of reaction

Aim:

To investigate the effect of changing surface area on the rate of reaction

Diagram:

Effect of Surface Area on a Reaction Rate 1, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes
Effect of Surface Area on a Reaction Rate 2, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes
Effect of Surface Area on a Reaction Rate 3, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

Investigating the effect of different size marble chips on the rate of reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid

Method:

  1. Add a fixed volume of hydrochloric acid into a conical flask

  2. Use a delivery tube to connect this flask to an inverted measuring cylinder

  3. Add marble chips into the conical flask and close the bung

  4. Measure the volume of gas produced in a fixed time using the measuring cylinder

  5. Repeat with different sizes of marble chips

Results:

  • Record your results in a table like this

    Size of marble chip 

    Volume of gas produced in 30 seconds (cm3)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

Conclusion:

  • Increasing the surface area of the marble chip, increases the rate of reaction 

  • This is because more surface area particles of the marble chips will be exposed to the dilute hydrochloric acid so there will be more frequent and successful collisions, increasing the rate of reaction

Last updated:

You've read 0 of your 10 free revision notes

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Did this page help you?

Alexandra Brennan

Author: Alexandra Brennan

Expertise: Chemistry

Alex studied Biochemistry at Newcastle University before embarking upon a career in teaching. With nearly 10 years of teaching experience, Alex has had several roles including Chemistry/Science Teacher, Head of Science and Examiner for AQA and Edexcel. Alex’s passion for creating engaging content that enables students to succeed in exams drove her to pursue a career outside of the classroom at SME.

Stewart Hird

Author: Stewart Hird

Expertise: Chemistry Lead

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Topic Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.