Appropriate equipment for measuring the rate of a reaction
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can suggest appropriate equipment to measure the rate of reaction depending on the reaction.
Key learning points
- Choosing the correct equipment is crucial for obtaining accurate and reliable results.
- An upturned measuring cylinder is suitable for reactions producing large volumes of gas at moderate rates.
- Gas syringes are ideal for measuring small volumes of gas with high precision.
- The size of the measuring equipment should be close to the expected volume of gas produced.
- Light sensors can be used to measure the percentage of light transmitted through a reaction producing a precipitate.
Keywords
Rate of reaction - Rate of reaction is the speed with which a chemical reaction takes place, measured by the amount of a reactant used or amount of product formed in a given time.
Volume - Volume is how much 3D space matter occupies. It is usually measured in cm³.
Accurate - Accurate measurements are those that are close to the true value.
Precise - Precise measurements have very little spread from the mean value. They are values that lie close to each other.
Common misconception
Thinking that precise and accurate are the same thing.
It may help to draw a bullseye target board. Precise results will all be close to each other but may not be near the bullseye. Accurate results will be near the bullseye but may be more scattered if they are not precise.
Teacher tip
A teacher demonstration using the different equipment to measure rate of reaction will help pupils visualise these techniques and develop a greater understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each technique.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.If a reaction effervescences, what does this tell us about the state of one of the products made?
Q2.If a product in a chemical reaction is a gas, how can we measure the volume of gas produced in a given time?
Q3.When a chemical reaction takes place in a closed system, which of the following may be observed?
Q4.How can we calculate the rate of reaction?
Q5.Match the key terms to the correct definition.
values that are close to the true value
values that lie close to each other
using the same method to obtain the same/similar results again
another person uses the same method to obtain the same/similar results
Q6.A reaction produces 5 cm³ of gas in 10 seconds. What is the rate of reaction?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which equipment is suitable for measuring the percentage of light transmitted through a reaction producing a precipitate?
Q2.When is an upturned measuring cylinder suitable for measuring gas volumes in a reaction?
Q3.What should be considered when selecting the size of measuring equipment for gas volumes?
Q4.Why are gas syringes considered ideal for measuring small volumes of gas with high precision?
Q5.If a reaction in an open system produces a gas, what can be measured to determine the rate of reaction?
Q6.In a reaction that produces a gas, what happens to the volume of gas produced per second as the reaction progresses?
To help you plan your 10 chemistry lesson on: Appropriate equipment for measuring the rate of a reaction, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 chemistry lesson on: Appropriate equipment for measuring the rate of a reaction, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the Rate of reaction unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.