RATE OF

REACTIONS
PART ONE
Chemical reaction
❑ A chemical reaction is the processes where one or more
substances(reactants) change into one or more new
substances (products).
❑ The substances that go into a chemical reaction are
called the reactants
❑ Atoms in the reactants rearrange to form new
molecular structures.
❑ The substances produced at the end of the reaction are
known as the products.
❑ Chemical reactions occur when chemical bonds
between atoms are formed or broken.
❑ Chemical changes are generally permanent, meaning
the original substances cannot be easily recovered.
Limiting and excess reagent

❖ In an experiment the substance that is totally

consumed when the chemical reaction is
complete is known as a limiting reagent.

❖ It is the reactant in a chemical reaction that

limits the amount of product that can be
formed.

❖ The reaction reaches completion when all

the limiting reactant is consumed.

❖ The reactant that remains when the limiting

reagents has been used up is known as the
excess reactant
Reaction Rate
❖ During the reaction shown below, reactants A and B
are consumed while the concentration of product C
and D increases.
A+B→C+D
❖ The reaction rate can be determined by measuring
how fast the concentration of A or B decreases, or
by how fast the concentration of C and D increases
❖ Reaction rate is defined as the change in
concentration of reactants or products per unit
time.
❖ It may also be defined as the amount or moles or
reactants used or products formed per unit of time.
Collision Theory

o The collision theory provides us with the ability to

predict what conditions are necessary for a
successful reaction to take place.

o According to the theory, for a reaction to occur:

o The particles must collide with each other.

o The particles must have correct orientation

o The particles must collide with sufficient energy

to break the existing bonds and to form new
ones.
Collision Theory and Rate of Reaction

❑ For a reaction to occur, the particles that are reacting

must collide with one another.

❑ However, not every collision is going to lead to a

successful reaction.

❑ Only a fraction of all the collisions that take place cause

a chemical change.

❑ These are called successful or effective collisions.

❑ For an effective or successful collision to occur the

reacting particles must collide, with sufficient energy
and at the proper orientation

❑ The rate of the reaction depends on the frequency or

number of effective collisions occurring per unit time.

❑ A high reaction rate means there are more effective

collisions per unit time.
The energy of a collision

o If reactant particles do not possess the required

activation energy when they collide, they bounce off
each other without reacting.

o Only collisions which have energies equal to or greater

than the activation energy result in a reaction.

o Activation energy (𝐄𝐚 ) is defined as the minimum

energy needed for a reaction to take place
Activated Complex

❖ During the course of a reaction, particles form an

unstable, intermediate, short-lived group of atoms,
before they can form the final product .

❖ An activated complex, also known as a transition

state, is an unstable, high-energy intermediate state
that forms during a chemical reaction when bonds
are breaking and forming.

❖ It's a brief point in time where reactants are at their

highest potential energy level, and it's the structure
that corresponds to the peak of the activation
energy barrier
Exothermic reactions

➢ An exothermic reaction is a reaction in which energy

is released in the form of light or heat.

➢ In an exothermic reaction, energy is transferred into

the surroundings, and the temperature of the
surroundings increases

➢ In an exothermic reaction, the energy of the

reactants is greater than the energy of the products
as shown in the potential energy vs reaction pathway
graph
Note:
❖ The amount energy absorbed or released in
reaction is called the heat of a reaction or
enthalpy of the reaction ∆H

❖ It is the difference between the energy of the

products and the reaction.

∆H = Eproducts − Ereactants

❖ For an exothermic reaction, ∆𝐇 < 𝟎(negative)

Endothermic reactions

▪ The endothermic reaction is a reaction where

the system absorbs the energy from its
surrounding in the form of heat and the
temperature of the surroundings decreases

▪ In an endothermic reaction, the energy of the

reactants is less than the energy of the products
as shown in the potential energy vs reaction
pathway graph

▪ Note:

∆H > 0 (positive) for an endothermic reaction

FACTORS THAT AFFECT
THE RATE OF A
REACTION
Surface area or state of division of a solid

❑ The rate of a chemical reaction increases when the

surface area of a solid reactant is increased.

❑ The surface area of a solid can be increased by

cutting the solid reactant into small pieces, or by
grinding it into a powder.

❑ If the surface area of a reactant is increased more

particles are exposed to the other reactant, more
effective collisions can take place and the rate of the
reaction increases.
▪ For example, powdered calcium carbonate powder
(𝐂𝐚𝐂𝐎𝟑 ) reacts much faster with hydrochloric acid (HCl)
and produces carbon dioxide more rapidly than when
calcium carbonate pieces (marble lumps or chips) react
with hydrochloric acid.

▪ The equation below shows the reaction:

CaCO3 (s) + 2HCl (aq) CaC l2 (aq) + H2 O(l) + CO2 (g)

▪ The volume of CO2 (g) produced can be measured as

alongside
The amount of CO2 (g) (product formed) can be
Note the following about the curves:
plotted against time to produce the following curve.

• The reactions are fastest in the beginning, the curve are

steepest at start

• Carbon dioxide( the gaseous product) is produced faster in

powdered calcium carbonate than in the marble chips. The
curve for the greater surface area is steeper than for the
smaller surface area.

• After a few minutes both reactions slow down as reactants

are used up. The graph becomes horizontal showing that
the reaction has come to completion.

• If the mass of calcium carbonate and the amount and

concentration of hydrochloric acid is the same in both
experiments, the total volume of gas released will also be
the same. Both graphs reach the same point.
Concentration of aqueous solutions

❖ An increase in the concentration of a reactant

increases reaction rate

❖ The rate of a reaction because more of the reacting

particles are present to form the reaction products
i.e. there are more particles per unit volume.

❖ The chances of effective collisions are therefore

higher and the reaction rate is increased. The higher
the concentration of reactants, the faster the rate of
a reaction will be.
❖ For example, in the reaction below:

CaCO3 (s) + 2HCl (aq) CaC l2 (aq) + H2 O(l) + CO2 (g)

❖ Concentrated HCl will react faster with CaCO3 as

CO2 bubbles are produced faster in the concentrated acid
than in dilute HCl.

❖ The amount of CO2 gas released can be plotted against time

to produce the following curve:
Pressure of gaseous reactants

▪ Increasing pressure increases the rate of reaction, in

reactions involving gases.

▪ Pressure is increased by decreasing volume

▪ An increase in pressure leads to more reactant

particles per unit volume, the molecules have less
space in which they can move.

▪ Since there are more molecules in a smaller volume,

the chances of effective collisions are greater, and the
rate of the reaction increases.
Temperature

o The rate of chemical reaction will increase if the

temperature is increased.

o Temperature is the measure of the average kinetic

energy of particles.

o An increase in temperature will raise the average

kinetic energy of the reactant molecules.

o Therefore, a greater proportion of molecules will have

the minimum energy necessary for an effective
collision i.e. at higher temperatures particles have
energy that is greater than or equal to the activation
energy.

o Therefore particles, move faster and collide frequently.

o As a result, there are more successful collisions per

unit time and the rate of the reaction increases.
The Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution

❖ In any system, particles present will have a

different range of energies.

❖ In a gaseous mixture, the energy of the

molecules varies greatly.

❖ Some of the molecules will be moving extremely

fast, some will be moving with moderate speeds,
and some will hardly be moving at all.

❖ The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution represents

the number of particles with specific energies as
shown alongside
• An increase in temperature will raise the average
kinetic energy of the reactant molecules.

• Therefore, a greater proportion of molecules will

have energy greater than the activation energy.

• At a higher temperature, the peak moves to a

higher energy with a lower height.

• The area under the graph represents the total

number of particles and must not change when
the temperature changes. It is only the
distribution of particles that changes
Catalyst

o A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a

chemical reaction without itself undergoing a
permanent change.

o A positive catalyst is a substance that speeds up a

chemical reaction without being consumed or
permanently altered in the process.

o It achieves this by lowering the activation energy of the

reaction (providing an alternative path of lower
activation energy), allowing more reactant molecules to
overcome the energy barrier and convert into products
more rapidly
The effect of a catalyst Maxwell-Boltzmann curve ❖ In the presence of a catalyst, the proportion of particles that
have enough energy to react is increased
❖ In the diagram below, only those particles represented by ❖ With a lower activation energy, a greater percentage of
the area to the right of the activation energy will react reactant molecules can have effective collisions, and the
when they collide. reaction rate increases as shown below
❖ The great majority do not have sufficient energy and will
simply bounce apart.
Nature of reactants

❖ During a chemical reaction, the bonds in the reactant

molecules must be broken first before the bonds of the
product molecule are formed.

❖ The bond energy needed to break the existing bonds in

reactant molecules varies.

❖ Organic molecules are generally larger than inorganic

molecules and more bonds must be broken before a
reaction can take place.

❖ The rates of organic compounds are often slower than

inorganic reactions.
The Scientific method

❑ Scientists search for answers to questions and solutions to

problems by using a procedure called the scientific method

❑ The scientific method is a systematic approach to understanding

the natural world, involving making observations, formulating
hypotheses, and designing experiments; which leads to additional
observations, hypotheses, and experiments in repeated cycles
Components of a Scientific Method

Investigative question

❑ The purpose of scientific investigations is to answer a

question, specifically by either proving or disproving a
theory or hypothesis.

❑ This a scientific question posed for which you seek to find

and answer, either by designing an experiment, testing an
existing product or by doing a survey

❑ An investigative question must have both the

independent and dependent variables in it

❑ For example

1. How does surface area ( independent variable) affect the

rate of a reaction? ( dependent variable)

2. What is the relationship between the temperature

(independent variable) and the rate of reaction?
(dependent variable)
Hypothesis

❖ A hypothesis is a tentative, testable prediction to answer

to an investigative question.

❖ A hypothesis should be specific and should relate directly

to the question that one is asking.

❖ The hypothesis may not be correct, but it puts the

scientist’s understanding of the system being studied into
a form that can be tested.

❖ For example, one could hypothesize and say “ an

increase in surface area increases the rate of a reaction”

❖ The experiment tests whether the prediction is accurate

and thus whether the hypothesis is supported or not.

❖ It is important for the experiment to be a fair test by

making sure that only one factor at a time is changed
while keeping all other conditions the same.
Independent variable
• The independent variable is the variable the
experimenter changes or controls and is assumed to
have a direct effect on the dependent variable.
• The factors that affect reaction rate are independent
variable
• When graphing data for an experiment, the
independent variable is plotted on the 𝒙-axis

Dependent variable
▪ The dependent variable is the variable that is being
measured, tested or affected during an experiment.
▪ The dependent variable responds to the independent
variable.
▪ When graphing data for an experiment, the dependent
variable is plotted on the 𝒚-axis.
▪ Reaction rate is a dependent variable
Controlled variable

❖ In scientific experiments, a controlled variable is any

factor that is kept constant and unchanged throughout
the investigation.

❖ These variables are not the primary focus of the

experiment, but they are carefully managed to ensure
that any observed changes in the dependent variable
are truly due to the independent variable being tested

❖ Controlled variables are very important because they

allow a scientist to know that the experiment is only
testing one variable.

❖ For an example, in the case where you investigating

the effect of surface area ( marble powder and marble
chips), mass of the marble powder and chips must be
controlled as well as the concentration of the
hydrochloric acids
Conclusion

❑ A conclusion is a statement based on experimental

measurements and observations

❑ It is a short statement that discusses the overall

results of an experimental procedure and explains
whether the proposed hypothesis at the beginning
of the experiment was correct or not.
 MEASURING THE
RATE OF A REACTION
Measuring mass loss per unit time

❖ The change in mass of a reactant or product can be

followed during a reaction.
❖ In a reaction where carbon dioxide is a product, the
amount of carbon dioxide that leaves the conical flask
can be measured by noting the change in mass of the
reactants as shown below.

CaCO3 (s) + 2HCl (aq) CaCl2 (aq) + H2 O(l) + CO2 (g)

The cotton wool allows carbon dioxide gas only to escape.

In this method the average rate can be measured as:

∆ mass in grams
average rate of reaction =
∆t in seconds or minutes

The units of measurement will be gs −1 or gmin−1 .

Measuring the volume of gas produced per unit time

❖ In a reaction that has one of its products as a gas, the

volume of gas produced per unit time may be measured
by collecting the gas in a gas syringe.

❖ This method is useful when a gas leaves the reaction

container.

❖ The volume of a gas is measured using a gas syringe

❖ By measuring the volume at set time intervals, we can

graph the data and hence determine the rate of the
reaction.
∆ volume in cm3
average rate of reaction =
∆t in seconds or minutes

The units of measurement will be cm3 s−1 or cm3 min−1

Precipitation reactions
o Precipitation is defined as the creation of a solid from a
solution.
o When the reaction occurs in a liquid solution, the solid
formed is called the 'precipitate' .In reactions where a
precipitate is formed, the amount of precipitate formed in
a period of time can be used as a measure of the reaction
rate.
o In the reaction between sodium thiousulfate (Na2 S2 O3 )
and dilutes hydrochloric acid (HCl), a yellow precipitate
of sulphur (S) forms and this can be used to measure the
rate of a reaction.
The equation for the reaction is shown below.

Na2 S2 O3 aq + 2HCl (aq) 2NaCl aq + SO2 g + H2 O l + S(s)

❖ The reaction of sodium thiosulphate and hydrochloric acid produces

sulphur dioxide gas, SO2 g which is a skin and eye irritant.
❖ This reaction must therefore take place in a well ventilated area.
Changes in color

❑ In some reactions there is a change in colour which

tells us that the reaction is occuring.

❑ The faster the colour change the faster the reaction

rate.

❑ For example, when ethanoic acid (acetic acid) is titrated

with sodium hydroxide, an indicator such as
phenolphthalein is added.

❑ The solution is clear in an acidic solution and changes to

pink when the reaction is complete. If the concentration
of the base were increased, the colour change would
happen faster (after a smaller volume of base was
added), showing that a higher concentration of base
increased the reaction rate.
 RATE OF
REACTIONS
PART TWO
PAST EXAM PAPERS
2010 November Paper 2 Q 6.1 6.1.5 A measure of the average kinetic energy of the
particles in a gas (1)
6.1 The collision theory explains why chemical reactions 6.1.6 The net amount of energy released or absorbed
occur and why they take place at different rates. Some of the during a chemical reaction (1)
terms used in the collision theory and reaction rate are given
below.

Give ONE term for each of the following descriptions by

choosing a term from the list above. Write down only the term
next to the question number (6.1.1 – 6.1.6) in the ANSWER
BOOK.
6.1.1 A chemical substance that speeds up the rate of a
chemical reaction by lowering the net activation
energy (1)
6.1.2 A collision in which the reacting particles have sufficient
kinetic energy and the correct orientation (1)
6.1.3 The factor responsible for increasing the rate of a reaction
when a solid is broken up into smaller pieces (1)
6.1.4 The temporary unstable state that is formed during the
course of a chemical reaction . (1)
2008 Preliminary Paper 2 Q 8
A leaner investigates a way to increase the rate at which
hydrogen gas develops in the reaction between zinc and
hydrochloric acid.
8.1 By changing one reaction condition she obtains the graph
below, in which
• Curve X denotes the initial condition
• Curve Y denotes the changed condition that produced a
higher reaction rate

8.1.1 Which reaction condition did the learner change? (2)

8.1.2 Apply the collision theory and explain why the
changed condition results in a higher reaction rate. (3)
CONTINUED…….
8.2 She then changes another condition in which the effect is
represented by the graph below.
Once again:
• Curve X denotes the initial condition
• Curve Y denotes the changed condition that produced a
higher reaction rate

8.2.1 Which reaction condition did the leaner change? (2)

8.2.2 What is the name of the energy value denoted by the
following:
(a) P (1)
(b) Q (1)
Stoichiometry formulas
❖ Stoichiometry formulas are used to calculate the amounts of
reactants and products in a chemical reaction based on a
balanced chemical equation.

❖ Key formulas include those for calculating moles, molar mass,

volume ,concentration and using mole ratios from the balanced
equation
mass of substance m
❖ number of moles = i. e. n = M
molar mass

number of moles n
❖ concentration = volume
i. e. c = V

❖ combining the first and second equation above then ∶

m
c=
MV
volume of gas produced V
❖ number of moles of a gas = i. e. n =
molar gas volume Vm

❖ If not given in the question, take the molar gas volume at STP as
22.4 dm3 .
2014 Limpopo Preliminary Paper 2 Q 5

The arrangement below is being used to investigate the rate of

reaction of calcium carbonate and an excess 1 moldm-3 solution
of hydrochloric acid. The equation for the reaction is:

CaCO3 (s) + 2HCl (aq) CaCl2 (aq) + H2 O(l) + CO2 (g)

The mass of gas produced is obtained by measuring

the loss in mass of the flask and its contents at one-
minute intervals and the results are displayed in the
graph alongside.
5.1 Give a reason for the loss in mass. (1)
5.2 Calculate the AVERAGE RATE (in g·s-1) of this
reaction during the first four(4) minutes (3)
CONTINUED………….. CaCO3 (s) + 2HCl (aq) CaCl2 (aq) + H2 O(l) + CO2 (g)
5.3 Write down the loss in mass of the flask and
its contents after 8 minutes. (2)

5.4 Give a reason why the curve flattens out

after 4 minutes. (1)

5.5 Use the graph and any other relevant

information to calculate the mass of calcium
carbonate that reacted. (6)
2024 KwaZulu Natal June Paper 2 Q 5 How will the change affect the:
During an experiment, hydrogen gas is produced from reacting 5.2.1 Final volume of the hydrogen gas produced. Choose
600 cm3 of hydrochloric acid of unknown concentration with a From INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME. (1)
piece of magnesium ribbon at a temperature of 50℃. The 5.2.2 Fully explain the answer to question 5.2.1 in terms of
balanced equation is: The collision theory. (4)
Mg s + 2HCl aq MgCl2 aq + H2 g ∆H < 0
The hydrochloric acid is the limiting reagent, and the
magnesium ribbon is completely covered by the acid solution
The following observation is made after 12 minutes:
The volume of hydrogen gas remains unchanged
5.1 The average rate of the reaction given above is
15cm3 min−1
5.1.1 Define rate of the reaction (2)
5.1.2 Give a reason why increasing the length of
magnesium ribbon will not influence the results of the
above experiment (1)
5.1.3 Calculate the concentration of the hydrochloric acid.
Take the molar gas volume of the gas at 50℃ to be
26 490cm3 mol−1 (8)
The experiment is NOW repeated. However, the magnesium
ribbon is replaced with an equal mass of powdered magnesium
2022 Eastern Cape June Paper 2 Q 5 5.3.1 Give a reason why the rate of reaction
decreases between t = 2000 s and t = 5000 s. (2)
The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide represented 5.3.2 How long (in seconds) did the reaction take to reach
by the balanced equation below is used to investigate completion? (1)
the factors that influence reaction rate. Calculate the:
5.3.3 Average rate of reaction (3)
H2 O2 aq H2 g + O2 g ∆H < 0 5.3.4 Volume of oxygen produced during the interval
5.1 Define reaction rate. (2) t = 0 s to t = 2 000 s. Assume that the molar gas volume at
5.2 Besides temperature, write down TWO factors 30°C is 25 000cm3 mol−1 . ASSUME THAT THE VOLUME OF THE
that affect the rate of this reaction. (2) SOLUTION REMAINS CONSTANT. (5)
5.3 During an experiment (experiment 1),150cm3 of
H2 O2 decomposes at 30 °C in a flask.
The graph below shows the results of experiment 1.
 CONTINUED… 5.5.1 Define activation energy. (2)
5.4 How will the following be affected if the volume of 5.5.2 Describe what is represented by the
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) used in experiment 1 is doubled? shaded area in the graph. (1)
Choose from INCREASES, DECREASES or 5.5.3 Which ONE of E1 or E2 would yield a higher
REMAINS THE SAME. reaction rate? Explain the answer by referring to the
5.4.1 Average rate of reaction (1) collision theory. (4)
5.4.2 Total volume of oxygen produced (1)
5.5 In experiment 2 hydrogen peroxide decomposes
under the same conditions as in experiment 1, but a small
amount of manganese dioxide is added.
The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curve for the reaction in
experiment 1 and experiment 2 is shown below.

E1 and E2 represent activation energies for the

reaction in experiments 1 and 2.
 RATE OF
REACTIONS
PART 3
2019 November Paper 2 Q 5

The calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ) in antacid tablets reacts with dilute

hydrochloric acid (HCl) according to the following balanced equation:

CaCO3 (s) + 2HCl (aq) CaCl2 aq + H2 O l + CO2 g ∆H < 0

5.1Is the above reaction EXOTHERMIC or ENDOTHERMIC?

Give a reason for the answer. (2)

An antacid tablet of mass 2 g is placed in HCl (aq).

After 30 s the mass of the tablet was found to be 0,25 g.
5.2 Calculate the average rate (in gs −1 ) of the above reaction (3)

The antacid tablet contains 40% calcium carbonate.

Another antacid tablet of mass 2 g is allowed to react
completely with HCl (aq)

5.3 Calculate the volume of carbon dioxide,CO2 g that will be

collected at STP. Assume that all the CO2 g produced is from the
calcium carbonate. (5)
CONTINUED…………
The reaction rate of similar antacid tablets with excess
HCl (aq) of concentration 0,1 moldm−3 at DIFFERENT
TEMPERATURES is measured. The graph below was obtained.

Use the information in the graph to answer the following questions.

5.4 Write down ONE controlled variable for this investigation. (1)
5.5 Write down a conclusion that can be made from the graph. (2)
5.6 Use the collision theory to fully explain the answer to
QUESTION 5.5 (3)
5.7 Redraw the graph above in the ANSWER BOOK. On the same set
of axes, sketch the curve that will be obtained if HCl aq of
concentration 0,2 moldm−3 is now used. Label this curve Y (2)
2016 Senior Certificate Paper 2 Q 5
The reaction between dilute hydrochloric acid and sodium thiosulphate
Na2 S2 O3 is used to investigate one of the factors that influences
reaction rate. The balanced equation for the reaction is:

Na2 S2 O3 aq + 2HCl (aq) 2NaCl aq + SO2 g + H2 O l + S(s)

The hydrochloric acid solution is added to the sodium thiosulphate
solution in a flask. The flask is placed over a cross drawn on a sheet of
white paper, as shown in the diagram alongside. The time that it takes
for the cross to become invisible is measured to determine the reaction
rate. 5.1 State TWO factors that can influence the
rate of the reaction above. (2)
Four experiments, A to D, are conducted during this
5.2 Write down the NAME or FORMULA of the
investigation. The volumes of reactants used in each of the four product that causes the cross to become invisible. (1)
experiments and the times of the reactions are summarised in 5.3 Give a reason why water is added to the
the table below. reaction mixture in experiments B to D. (1)
CONTINUED………… Na2 S2 O3 aq + 2HCl (aq) 2NaCl aq + SO2 g + H2 O l + S(s)

5.4Write down an investigative question for this

investigation. (2)

5.5 In which experiment (A, B, C or D) is the reaction

rate the highest? (1)

5.6 Use the collision theory to explain the difference

in reaction rate between experiments B and D. (3)

5.7 The original Na2 S2 O3 solution was prepared by

dissolving 62,50 g Na2 S2 O3 crystals in distilled water in
a 250 cm3 volumetric flask. Calculate the mass of
sulphur, S, that will form in experiment D if Na2 S2 O3 is
the limiting reactant. (7)
2024 November Paper 2 Q 5 5.1.2 For the time interval t = 0 to t = 5 minutes, the average
reaction rate for the formation of H2(g) is 0,033dm3 min−1 .
The reaction between pure aluminium, Aℓ(s), and Calculate the mass of Aℓ present in the container at t = 5 minutes.
EXCESS hydrochloric acid, HCℓ(aq), is used to investigate Take the molar gas volume as 24,5dm3 mol−1 . (6)
the factors that affect the rate of a reaction. Assume that the concentration of the HCℓ(aq) stays constant for the
The balanced equation for the reaction is: duration of the reaction.
2Al s + 6HCl aq → 2AlCl3 aq + 3H2 (g) 5.1.3 Use the collision theory to explain the change in the reaction
5.1.1 Define the term reaction rate. (2) rate from t = 0 to t = 5 minutes (4)
EXPERIMENT I
In this experiment, 1moldm−3 HCℓ solution reacts with
a 0,5 g Aℓ strip from an aluminium roll at room
temperature. The graph of volume H2(g) versus time for
this experiment, not drawn to scale, is shown below.
CONTINUED………
EXPERIMENT II
Experiment I is repeated using a 2moldm−3 HCℓ solution.
5.1.4 Redraw the above graph (NO numerical values need to be
shown) in your ANSWER BOOK and label the curve A. On the
same set of axes, draw the curve that will be obtained for
Experiment II. Label this as curve B. (2)

EXPERIMENT III
Experiment I is repeated using 0,5 g pure powdered Aℓ.
5.1.5 How will the volume of H2(g) produced in Experiment III
compare to that in Experiment I? Choose from GREATER THAN,
LESS THAN or EQUAL TO. (1)
CONTINUED……..
5.2 Curve X is the Maxwell Boltzmann distribution curve for a
reaction under a set of reaction conditions. A change was made
to one of the reaction conditions to obtain
curve Y.

5.2.1 What change was made to obtain curve Y? (1)

5.2.2 Give a reason for the answer to QUESTION 5.2.1. (1)

2013 November Paper 2 Q 6 The results obtained are shown in the graph below

A hydrogen peroxide solution dissociates slowly at room

temperature according to the following equation:

2H2 O2 aq 2H2 O l + O2 g

During an investigation, learners compare the effectiveness of

three different catalysts on the rate of decomposition of
hydrogen peroxide. They place EQUAL AMOUNTS of sufficient
hydrogen peroxide into three separate containers. They then
add EQUAL AMOUNTS of the three catalysts, P, Q and R, to the
hydrogen peroxide in the three containers respectively and
measure the rate at which oxygen gas is produced.

6.1 For this investigation write down the:

6.1.1 Independent variable (1)

6.1.2 Dependent variable (1)

6.2 Which catalyst is the most effective?
Give a reason for the answer. (2)
6.3 Fully explain, by referring to the collision
theory, how a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction. (3)
CONTINUED………..
In another experiment, the learners obtain the following results
for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide:

2H2 O2 aq 2H2 O l + O2 g

6.4 Calculate the AVERAGE rate of decomposition

in moldm−3 s −1 of H2 O2 in the first 400 s. (3)

6.5 Will the rate of decomposition at 600 s be GREATER THAN,

LESS THAN or EQUAL TO the rate calculated in QUESTION 6.4?
Give a reason for the answer. (2)

6.6 Calculate the mass of oxygen produced in the first 600 s if

50 cm3 of hydrogen peroxide decomposes in this time interval.
(5)
2015 Limpopo Preliminary Paper 2 Q 5 The results of the experiments are shown in the graph below.

In an experiment to investigate the rate of reaction, a

0,12 g piece of magnesium ribbon was allowed to react
with EXCESS dilute hydrochloric acid at room temperature
(20 ℃).

5.1 Write down the name of the flask labelled X. (1)

5.2 For this investigation, write down the following:
5.2.1 The independent variable (1)
5.2.2 A suitable hypothesis (2)
5.3 Explain, very carefully, why the last part of BOTH
The experiment was then repeated with the same curves, A and B, is horizontal. (1)
mass of magnesium and the same volume of
hydrochloric acid but of different concentration as
shown in the table below.
CONTINUED…….

5.4 How long did the reaction in the experiment 2

take to reach completion? (1)
5.5 Which experiment, 1 or 2, gave curve A? Refer to the
Data in the table to justify the answer. (2)
5.6 Which curve, A or B, represents the faster reaction?
Refer to the shape of the curve to explain the answer. (2)
 CONTINUED………………

5.7 Why is it important that the same mass of

magnesium ribbon and same volume of HCl acid
used in both experiments? (1)

5.8 State a suitable conclusion that can be drawn

for this investigation. (1)
CONTINUED……..
5.9 The equation for the reaction that takes place is as follows:
Mg s + 2HCl (aq) MgCl2 aq + H2 (g)
Calculate the total mass (in grams) of hydrogen gas that was
produced in this reaction. Assume the molar gas volume at
20 ℃ is equal to 24,0 dm3 . (4)
5.10 The experiment is now repeated using magnesium powder
of mass 0,12 g instead of magnesium ribbon. It is found that
the reaction rate INCREASES. Use the collision theory to
explain this observation. (2)
2019 Free State Preliminary Paper 2 Q 5 5.5 Give a reason for the answer to QUESTION5.4 (1)
A learner uses the reaction of magnesium and EXCESS
hydrochloric acid in three experiments. The balanced equation
for the reaction is:
Mg s + 2HCl (aq) MgCl2 aq + H2 g
In EXPERIMENT 1,magnesium ribbon of 5,0g reacts with EXCESS
hydrochloric acid of concentration 1 moldm−3 at room
temperature. The volume of hydrogen gas produced at regular
intervals is measured and recorded in the table below.

5.1 Define reaction rate. (2)

5.2 Between which TWO consecutive minutes is the rate of
reaction the greatest? (1)
5.3 Calculate the average rate of the reaction
(in molmin−1 )during the first two minutes. The molar volume
of hydrogen at room temperature is 24 moldm−3 (4)
5.4 Write down the rate of the reaction (in molmin−1 ) after 5
minutes. (1)
CONTINUED……

5.6 The reaction conditions used in EXPERIMENT 2

and EXPERIMENT 3 are summarized in the table
below.

5.6.1 How will the total volume of hydrogen gas

produced in EXPERIMENT 1 compare to that in
EXPERIMENT 2? Write down LARGER THAN,
SMALLER THAN or EQUAL TO.
Explain the answer. (2)

5.6.2 How will the rate of reaction in EXPERIMENT

compare to that in EXPERIMENT 3? Write down HIGHER
THAN, LOWER THAN or EQUAL TO. Use the collision
theory to explain the answer (4)
2016 Gauteng Preliminary Paper 2 Q 5
A group of learners use the reaction between magnesium and
nitric acid to investigate one of the factors that affects reaction
rate. The reaction that takes place is represented by the balanced
equation below.
Mg s + HNO3 (aq) Mg(NO3 )2 aq + H2 (g)

They add magnesium ribbon to dilute nitric acid and measure the
mass of magnesium used per unit time. The experiment is
repeated using concentrated nitric acid.
5.1 Write down an investigative question for this investigation.(2)
The results obtained for the reaction with dilute nitric acid are
represented in the graph below:
5.2 Which substance, Mg or HNO3 is in excess? Use the
information on the graph to give a reason for the answer.(2)
5.3 Define the term reaction rate. (2)
5.4 Calculate the average rate of the reaction (in gram per second)
during the first 30 s. (5)
5.5. Copy the above graph in your answer book. On the same set
of axes use a DOTTED LINE to show the curve that will be obtained
when concentrated nitric acid is used. No numerical values are
required. (2)
2015 Mpumalanga Preliminary Paper 2 Q 5
The mining of phosphate rock and its conversion to
superphosphate is carried out in South Africa at Phalaborwa, in
the Limpopo province, represented by the reaction equation
below:
Ca3 (PO4 )2 + 2H2 SO4 (aq) Ca(H2 PO4 )2 (aq) + 2CaSO4 (s)

5.1 An increase in temperature will increase the rate of the

above reaction. List any TWO other factors that will
increase its rate.
5.2 The figure below shows the Maxwell-Boltzmann
distribution curves for the above reaction at two different
temperatures. The activation energy for this reaction is
indicated on the graph by the vertical line and labelled as
EA.

5.2.1 Define the term, activation energy. (2)

5.2.2 Write down the name of the theory used to explain
how reactions occur at the molecular level. (1)
5.2.3 Referring to the shaded areas in the distribution
curves provided, use the theory named in QUESTION
5.2.2 to explain why an increase in temperature
causes an increase in reaction rate. (3)
2014 March Paper 2 Q 6
The graph below shows the decomposition of gas P according 6.1 Define the term rate of reaction in words by referring
to the following equation: to the graph. (2)
6.2 At which time, 10 s or 30 s, does the decomposition
P g 2Q g +R g ∆H < 0
take place at a higher rate? Refer
to the graph to give a reason for the answer. (2)

6.3 Write down the initial concentration of P (g). (1)

CONTINUED……..
6.4 The decomposition is carried out in a 2 dm3 container.
Calculate the average rate (mol. s−1 ) at which P (g) is
decomposed in the first 10 s. (6)
CONTINUED………

6.5 Draw a potential energy diagram for the reaction. Clearly

indicate the following on the diagram:
• Positions of the reactants and products
• Activation energy (Ea) for the forward reaction (3)

6.6 An increase in temperature will increase the rate of

decomposition of P (g). Explain this statement in terms of the
collision theory. (2)
2017 Senior Certificate Paper 2 Q 5
The apparatus below is used to investigate one of the factors
that affects the rate of decomposition of hydrogen
peroxide, H2 O2 .The balanced equation for the reaction is:
2H2 O2 (aq) 2H2 O l + O2 g
Two experiments are conducted. The reaction conditions are as 5.1 For this investigation, write down the function of the:
5.1.1 Graduated syringe (1)
follows: Experiment I: 50 cm3 of hydrogen peroxide is allowed
5.1.2 Copper(II) oxide (1)
to decompose at 30 °C. 5.2 How will you know when the reaction is completed? (1)
3
Experiment II: 50 cm of hydrogen peroxide decompose at 30 °C 5.3 Write down the independent variable for this
in the presence of copper(II) oxide powder (CuO). investigation. (1)
5.4 Use the collision theory to fully explain the difference in
reaction rates of experiment I and experiment II (3)

The results of the investigation are summarised in the table

below.
5.5 The graphs below show changes in the potential energy
during the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in
experiment I and experiment II.

5.5.1 Is energy ABSORBED or RELEASED during this reaction?

Give a reason for the answer. (2)
5.5.2 Which ONE of the curves, A or B, represents
experiment II? (1)
5.6 Calculate the rate, in,moldm−3 min−1 , at which 50 cm3 of
hydrogen peroxide decomposes in experiment II. Assume
that 1 mole of gas occupies a volume of 25dm3 at 30 °C. (6)
2016 Limpopo Preliminary Paper 2 Q 5
A group of grade 12 learners uses the reaction between
calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid to investigate one of
the factors that influence reaction rate. They use the apparatus
shown below.

5.2.1 Define, in words, the term reaction rate by referring

to the concentration of hydrochloric acid. (2)
5.2.2 FROM THE TABLE ABOVE, write down the
independent variable for this investigation. (1)
5.2.3 Give a reason why the learners use equal masses and
the same state of division of CaCO3(s). (1)

The reaction that takes place is represented by the following

chemical equation:
CaCO3 (s) + 2HCl (aq) CaCl2 aq + 𝐗 g + H2 O(l)
5.1 Identify the gas X. (2)
5.2 Two experiments are conducted by using the apparatus
shown [Link] conditions for each experiment are given in
the table below:
CONTINUED………
The learners observe that the reaction rate is HIGHER in experiment 2
than in experiment 1.
5.2.4 Use the collision theory to explain this observation. (3)
5.2.5 Refer to experiment 2 and calculate the volume of hydrochloric
acid (in cm3) that reacts with CaCO3(s). Assume that CaCO3 is the
LIMITING REAGENT. (4)
5.3 Sketch a POTENTIAL ENERGY versus REACTION COORDINATE graph for
this reaction. Label the axes and indicate the following on the graph:
• Heat of reaction
• Activation energy
• Activated complex
(4)