Laboratory Report

Name
Course Code

: Kelvin & Yee Kai Weng & Khor Jett Wee

: RBS-1

Title
Reaction Kinetics : Determination of the Activation Energy of the Reaction
Between Oxalic Acid and Potassium Permanganate
Introduction
We know that there are many factors that affect the rates of reaction. One of the
factors is temperature. Theoretically, it is stated that the higher the temperatures,
the faster the chemical reaction to take place. In this experiment, we will conduct
an experiment to prove the hypothesis whether is true or not. It is proven by
reacting two solutions at different temperatures and attempt to find any changes in
the rate of reaction using the time taken for the purple color of the potassium
permanganate to turn colorless.
Aim
To determine the activation energy of the reaction between oxalic acid and
potassium permanganate.
Procedure
2cm3 of 0.02M potassium permanganate and 4cm3 of 1M of sulfuric acid is
measured into a test tube. 2cm3 of oxalic acid is placed another test tube. The test
tubes are placed in a water bath at 35 oC. When the solutions have reached this
temperature, the oxalic acid is poured into the acidified potassium permanganate
solution and the time is started instantly. The time taken is recorded for potassium
permanganate to decolorize. The experiment is repeated at higher temperature of
45 and 55 oC.
Result
Temperature T ( K )
1/T ( K-1 )
Reaction time, t ( sec )
ln 1/t

308
318
328
0.0032 0.0031 0.00305
5
4
142.7
42.9
16.3
-4.9607 -3.7589 -2.7912

REACTION RATE
0.0000
0.0030 0.0031 0.0031 0.0032 0.0032 0.0033 0.0033
-1.0000
-2.0000
LN 1/TIME (1/s)

-3.0000
1/T
-4.0000

Linear
(1/T)
f(x) = - 10967.76x
+ 30.68
R = 1

-5.0000
-6.0000
1/TEMPERATURE (1/K)

k = A-Ea/RT
ln k = - + ln A
ln k = - ( ) () + ln A
y = mx + c
Gradient of the graph = - 10968 K
From the equation,
- = - 10968 K

R = 8.31 J mol-1 K-1

Ea = 10968 K 8.31 J mol-1 K-1

= 91144.08 J mol-1
= 91.14 kJ mol-1
Therefore, the activation energy of the reaction between acidified potassium
permanganate and oxalic acid is 91.14 kJ mol-1
Discussion
The reaction between potassium permanganate and oxalic acid is the redox

reaction. The color of the potassium permanganate acts as self-indicator and when
reacts with oxalic acid, the purple color of the potassium permanganate decolorize
to colorless. From the table, we can know that the higher the temperature, the faster
the color of the potassium permanganate turns from purple to colorless.
In this experiment, the factor that investigated which affecting the rate of reaction
is the temperature. When the temperature increases, the average kinetic energy of
the molecules is increased to give rise more collision frequency. Therefore, the
total number of molecules with energy equal or greater than the activation energy
also increases. The combined effect will cause the rate of reaction to increase.
There is a precautionary step need to take note. For example, to determine the
accurate temperature, we should put the thermometer into the boiling tube that
contains higher volume of solution ( acidified potassium permanganate ) rather
than lower volume of solution ( oxalic acid ). It is because less amount of solution
have higher tendency to reach the temperature faster and it will affect the rate of
the reaction.
Conclusion
The activation energy of the reaction between acidified potassium permanganate
and oxalic acid is 91.14 kJ mol-1 . When the temperature increases, the rate of
reaction will be higher due to the increase in effective collision frequency and the
total number of particles with energy equal to or greater than the activation energy.
Reference
1. Longman Pre-U Text STPM Physical Chemistry
In-text: (Lim and Yip)
Bibliography: Lim, You Sie, and Kim Hong Yip. Physical Chemistry. Petaling
Jaya: Pearson Malaysia, 2008. Print.