Practical: Effect of Catalysts on Rate of Reaction (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry: Double Science)

Aim:

To investigate the effect of different solids on the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

Diagram:

Diagram showing the apparatus needed to investigate the effect of a catalyst on the rate of reaction

Method:

• Add hydrogen peroxide into a conical flask
• Use a delivery tube to connect this flask to a measuring cylinder upside down in water trough
• Add the chosen catalyst into the conical flask and close the bung
• Measure the volume of gas produced in a fixed time using the measuring cylinder
• Repeat experiment with different catalysts and compare results
• Catalysts to try could include: manganese(IV) oxide, lead(II) oxide, iron(III) oxide and copper(II) oxide

Result:

• The data for different catalysts can be plotted on the same graph and the relative rates compared