The neutralisation reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium carbonate is an endothermic reaction - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 1 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 1
The neutralisation reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium carbonate is an endothermic reaction.
Describe what is meant by the term endothermic reaction.
The rea... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The neutralisation reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium carbonate is an endothermic reaction - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 1 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe what is meant by the term endothermic reaction.
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Answer
An endothermic reaction is a process that absorbs energy from its surroundings, typically in the form of heat. This means that during the reaction, the system takes in thermal energy, leading to a decrease in the temperature of the surroundings. In other words, less energy is released when new bonds are formed compared to the energy required to break existing bonds.
Step 2
State two other ways of increasing the rate of this reaction.
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Answer
Increase the surface area by using magnesium powder instead of ribbon.
Increase the temperature of the reaction.
Step 3
Explain, in terms of particles, why increasing the concentration of the acid increases the rate of this reaction.
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Answer
Increasing the concentration of the acid results in more particles (ions/molecules) in the same volume. This leads to more frequent collisions between reactant particles, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful reactions occurring. More collisions per second translate to a higher reaction rate, as particles are more likely to interact effectively.