In an experiment, hydrochloric acid reacted with different volumes of sodium thiosulfate in water. A yellow precipitate was formed during the reaction. A cross drawn at the base of each flask became gradually invisible due the formation of this yellow precipitate. The time taken for the cross to become invisible was recorded. A partial record of the experiment is shown.

Experimental Record Flask Volume of

HCl Volume of

Sodium Thiosulfate Volume of

Water Time

1 10 mL 10 mL 40 mL 14 seconds

2 10 mL 20 mL 30 mL

3 10 mL 30 mL 20 mL

4 10 mL 40 mL 10 mL

Based on your knowledge of factors that affect the rates of chemical reactions, predict the trend in the last column of the experimental record. Use complete sentences to explain the trend you predicted. You do not have to determine exact values for time; just describe the trend you would expect (increase or decrease) and why it occurs

The time taken for the cross to become invisible decreases.

Explanation:

We know that one of the factors affecting the rate of reaction is the concentration of reactants. From the collision theory, we know that the higher the concentration of reactants, the greater the possibility of effective collision between reactants leading ultimately to an increase in the rate of reaction. Increase in the rate of reaction implies that the reaction takes a shorter time to reach completion.

In the case of the reaction shown in the question, the point when the reaction is completed is observed by the time take for the cross mark to become invisible. If we look at the given data closely, we will notice that the volume of acid was held constant, the volume of thiosulphate was increased gradually while the volume of water was decreased accordingly. This implies that the concentration of the reactants was increased. Decreasing the volume of water increases reactant concentration.

As explained above, increase in reactant concentration increases the rate of reaction. Hence, the rate of reaction of the acid and thiosulphate increases as reactant concentration increases and the cross mark becomes invisible faster. This implies that in the last column for time taken for the cross to become invisible, the values of time decreases steadily as concentration of reactants increases.