Surface area and rate: practical
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can carry out a fair test to investigate how the rate of reaction depends on the surface area of a solid reactant.
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 pupils realise they produce the same mass of carbon dioxide when using the same mass of calcium carbonate chips and powder.
Teacher tip
If you have the resources available you could use a large marble chip, small marble chip and calcium carbonate 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
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which piece of equipment is best suited for measuring the change in mass of a reactant or product during a reaction?
Q2.Match the variables with the correct definition.
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.
Q3.According to collision theory, what must happen for a chemical reaction to occur?
Q4.What is the term for the minimum energy required for a reaction to occur?
Q5.Why does the same mass of powdered solid react faster than the same solid in a single lump?
Q6.Which of the following statements are true about surface area: volume ratio?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the effect of increasing the surface area on the rate of reaction?
Q2.How does the surface area of smaller marble chips compare to larger chips of the same mass?
Q3.How does a larger surface area of reactants affect the frequency of particle collisions?
Q4.Why is measuring the change in mass useful for determining the rate of reaction?
Q5.Why does increasing the surface area of a reactant make a reaction faster?
Q6.In a rate of reaction experiment where you change the surface area of solid reactants, what could be the dependent variable?
To help you plan your 11 combined science lesson on: Surface area and rate: practical, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 combined science lesson on: Surface area and rate: practical, 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 combined science lessons from the Rate of reaction unit, dive into the full secondary combined science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.