Surface area and rate: practical
I can carry out a fair test to investigate how the rate of reaction depends on the surface area of a solid reactant.
Surface area and rate: practical
I can carry out a fair test to investigate how the rate of reaction depends on the surface area of a solid reactant.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The changing rate of a reaction can be found by measuring the mass of gas produced as the reaction progresses.
- Smaller marble chips have a larger surface area than larger chips of the same mass.
- The larger the surface area, the faster the rate of reaction.
Keywords
Rate of reaction - Rate of reaction is the speed with which a chemical reaction takes place.
Surface area to volume ratio - The surface area to volume ratio is the surface area of a solid relative to its volume.
Independent variable - The independent variable is the single variable that is changed in an investigation.
Dependent variable - The dependent variable is the single variable that is measured or observed in an investigation.
Control variables - The control variables are variables that are kept constant in an investigation.
Common misconception
That a larger surface area produces a larger volume/mass of product.
The experiment should help students realise they produce the same mass of carbon dioxide when using the same mass of calcium carbonate chips and powder.
Equipment
Mass balance, conical flask, stopwatch, hydrochloric acid, calcium carbonate chips, calcium carbonate powder, cotton wool and eye protection.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
the single variable that is changed in an investigation.
the single variable that is measured or observed in an investigation.
are kept constant in an investigation.