Last updated on Oct 23, 2026

15 – Investigating the Effect of Surface Area on Reaction Rates (LC 2027) (Leaving Cert Chemistry): Flashcards

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15 – Investigating the Effect of Surface Area on Reaction Rates

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What this experiment investigates

Effect of particle size on reaction rate

$\text{CaCO}_3$ reacts with $2\text{HCl}$ to form

$\text{CaCl}_2$ , $\text{H}_2\text{O}$ , and $\text{CO}_2$

Why mass decreases during reaction

$\text{CO}_2$ gas escapes from solution

Purpose of cotton wool plug

Prevents acid spray, allows $\text{CO}_2$ to escape

Mass of marble chips used in experiment

20g

Time interval for mass measurements

30 seconds

Which particle size reacts fastest

Small marble chips

Which particle size reacts slowest

Large marble chips

Do all sizes reach same final mass loss?

Yes, same mass of $\text{CaCO}_3$ used

Relationship: surface area and reaction rate

Greater surface area = faster reaction rate

Why smaller particles react faster

More surface exposed, more collision opportunities

How to calculate mass loss

Initial mass - current mass

Control variables in experiment

Mass, acid volume/concentration, temperature, timing

Collision theory: surface area effect

More surface area = more collision opportunities

Why all reactions reach same endpoint

Same mass of $\text{CaCO}_3$ produces same $\text{CO}_2$

Explore Leaving Cert Chemistry Revision Notes by Topics

Overview of Experiments (LC 2026)

Overview of Experiments (LC 2026)

1 – Carrying Out Flame Tests (LC 2027)

1 – Carrying Out Flame Tests (LC 2027)

2 – Detecting the Presence of Anions (LC 2027)

2 – Detecting the Presence of Anions (LC 2027)

3 – Measuring the Relative Molecular Mass of a Volatile Liquid (LC 2027)

3 – Measuring the Relative Molecular Mass of a Volatile Liquid (LC 2027)

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

Show more

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

8 – Standardising a Sodium Hydroxide Solution (LC 2027)

8 – Standardising a Sodium Hydroxide Solution (LC 2027)

9 – Determining the Concentration of an Ammonia Solution (LC 2027)

9 – Determining the Concentration of an Ammonia Solution (LC 2027)

10 – Determining the Concentration of Ethanoic Acid in Vinegar (LC 2027)

10 – Determining the Concentration of Ethanoic Acid in Vinegar (LC 2027)

11 – Standardising a Potassium Permanganate Solution (LC 2027)

11 – Standardising a Potassium Permanganate Solution (LC 2027)

12 – Determining the Percentage of Elemental Iron in an Iron Tablet (LC 2027)

12 – Determining the Percentage of Elemental Iron in an Iron Tablet (LC 2027)

13 – Standardising a Sodium Thiosulfate Solution (LC 2027)

13 – Standardising a Sodium Thiosulfate Solution (LC 2027)

14 – Investigating the Rate of Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide (LC 2027)

14 – Investigating the Rate of Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide (LC 2027)

15 – Investigating the Effect of Surface Area on Reaction Rates (LC 2027)

15 – Investigating the Effect of Surface Area on Reaction Rates (LC 2027)

16 – Studying the Effect of Concentration on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

16 – Studying the Effect of Concentration on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

17 – Studying the Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

17 – Studying the Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

18 – Investigating Effects on the State of Equilibrium (LC 2027)

18 – Investigating Effects on the State of Equilibrium (LC 2027)

19 – Investigating the Heat of Combustion of Alcohols (LC 2027)

19 – Investigating the Heat of Combustion of Alcohols (LC 2027)

20 – Determining the Enthalpy of Reaction of a Neutralisation Reaction (LC 2027)

20 – Determining the Enthalpy of Reaction of a Neutralisation Reaction (LC 2027)

21 – Investigating Galvanic Cells (LC 2027)

21 – Investigating Galvanic Cells (LC 2027)

22 – Investigating with Inert Electrodes (LC 2027)

22 – Investigating with Inert Electrodes (LC 2027)

23 – Preparing & Investigating Ethene (LC 2027)

23 – Preparing & Investigating Ethene (LC 2027)

24 – Preparing an Ester (LC 2027)

24 – Preparing an Ester (LC 2027)

25 – Preparing Soap (LC 2027)

25 – Preparing Soap (LC 2027)

26 – Distinguishing Between Aldehydes and Ketones (LC 2027)

26 – Distinguishing Between Aldehydes and Ketones (LC 2027)

27 – Synthesising & Investigating Benzoic Acid (LC 2027)

27 – Synthesising & Investigating Benzoic Acid (LC 2027)

Explore Leaving Cert Chemistry Model Answers by Topics

Overview of Experiments (LC 2026)

Overview of Experiments (LC 2026)

1 – Carrying Out Flame Tests (LC 2027)

1 – Carrying Out Flame Tests (LC 2027)

2 – Detecting the Presence of Anions (LC 2027)

2 – Detecting the Presence of Anions (LC 2027)

3 – Measuring the Relative Molecular Mass of a Volatile Liquid (LC 2027)

3 – Measuring the Relative Molecular Mass of a Volatile Liquid (LC 2027)

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

Show more

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

8 – Standardising a Sodium Hydroxide Solution (LC 2027)

8 – Standardising a Sodium Hydroxide Solution (LC 2027)

9 – Determining the Concentration of an Ammonia Solution (LC 2027)

9 – Determining the Concentration of an Ammonia Solution (LC 2027)

10 – Determining the Concentration of Ethanoic Acid in Vinegar (LC 2027)

10 – Determining the Concentration of Ethanoic Acid in Vinegar (LC 2027)

11 – Standardising a Potassium Permanganate Solution (LC 2027)

11 – Standardising a Potassium Permanganate Solution (LC 2027)

12 – Determining the Percentage of Elemental Iron in an Iron Tablet (LC 2027)

12 – Determining the Percentage of Elemental Iron in an Iron Tablet (LC 2027)

13 – Standardising a Sodium Thiosulfate Solution (LC 2027)

13 – Standardising a Sodium Thiosulfate Solution (LC 2027)

14 – Investigating the Rate of Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide (LC 2027)

14 – Investigating the Rate of Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide (LC 2027)

15 – Investigating the Effect of Surface Area on Reaction Rates (LC 2027)

15 – Investigating the Effect of Surface Area on Reaction Rates (LC 2027)

16 – Studying the Effect of Concentration on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

16 – Studying the Effect of Concentration on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

17 – Studying the Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

17 – Studying the Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

18 – Investigating Effects on the State of Equilibrium (LC 2027)

18 – Investigating Effects on the State of Equilibrium (LC 2027)

19 – Investigating the Heat of Combustion of Alcohols (LC 2027)

19 – Investigating the Heat of Combustion of Alcohols (LC 2027)

20 – Determining the Enthalpy of Reaction of a Neutralisation Reaction (LC 2027)

20 – Determining the Enthalpy of Reaction of a Neutralisation Reaction (LC 2027)

21 – Investigating Galvanic Cells (LC 2027)

21 – Investigating Galvanic Cells (LC 2027)

22 – Investigating with Inert Electrodes (LC 2027)

22 – Investigating with Inert Electrodes (LC 2027)

23 – Preparing & Investigating Ethene (LC 2027)

23 – Preparing & Investigating Ethene (LC 2027)

24 – Preparing an Ester (LC 2027)

24 – Preparing an Ester (LC 2027)

25 – Preparing Soap (LC 2027)

25 – Preparing Soap (LC 2027)

26 – Distinguishing Between Aldehydes and Ketones (LC 2027)

26 – Distinguishing Between Aldehydes and Ketones (LC 2027)

27 – Synthesising & Investigating Benzoic Acid (LC 2027)

27 – Synthesising & Investigating Benzoic Acid (LC 2027)

Explore Leaving Cert Chemistry Quizzes by Topics

Overview of Experiments (LC 2026)

Overview of Experiments (LC 2026)

1 – Carrying Out Flame Tests (LC 2027)

1 – Carrying Out Flame Tests (LC 2027)

2 – Detecting the Presence of Anions (LC 2027)

2 – Detecting the Presence of Anions (LC 2027)

3 – Measuring the Relative Molecular Mass of a Volatile Liquid (LC 2027)

3 – Measuring the Relative Molecular Mass of a Volatile Liquid (LC 2027)

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

Show more

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

8 – Standardising a Sodium Hydroxide Solution (LC 2027)

8 – Standardising a Sodium Hydroxide Solution (LC 2027)

9 – Determining the Concentration of an Ammonia Solution (LC 2027)

9 – Determining the Concentration of an Ammonia Solution (LC 2027)

10 – Determining the Concentration of Ethanoic Acid in Vinegar (LC 2027)

10 – Determining the Concentration of Ethanoic Acid in Vinegar (LC 2027)

11 – Standardising a Potassium Permanganate Solution (LC 2027)

11 – Standardising a Potassium Permanganate Solution (LC 2027)

12 – Determining the Percentage of Elemental Iron in an Iron Tablet (LC 2027)

12 – Determining the Percentage of Elemental Iron in an Iron Tablet (LC 2027)

13 – Standardising a Sodium Thiosulfate Solution (LC 2027)

13 – Standardising a Sodium Thiosulfate Solution (LC 2027)

14 – Investigating the Rate of Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide (LC 2027)

14 – Investigating the Rate of Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide (LC 2027)

15 – Investigating the Effect of Surface Area on Reaction Rates (LC 2027)

15 – Investigating the Effect of Surface Area on Reaction Rates (LC 2027)

16 – Studying the Effect of Concentration on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

16 – Studying the Effect of Concentration on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

17 – Studying the Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

17 – Studying the Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

18 – Investigating Effects on the State of Equilibrium (LC 2027)

18 – Investigating Effects on the State of Equilibrium (LC 2027)

19 – Investigating the Heat of Combustion of Alcohols (LC 2027)

19 – Investigating the Heat of Combustion of Alcohols (LC 2027)

20 – Determining the Enthalpy of Reaction of a Neutralisation Reaction (LC 2027)

20 – Determining the Enthalpy of Reaction of a Neutralisation Reaction (LC 2027)

21 – Investigating Galvanic Cells (LC 2027)

21 – Investigating Galvanic Cells (LC 2027)

22 – Investigating with Inert Electrodes (LC 2027)

22 – Investigating with Inert Electrodes (LC 2027)

23 – Preparing & Investigating Ethene (LC 2027)

23 – Preparing & Investigating Ethene (LC 2027)

24 – Preparing an Ester (LC 2027)

24 – Preparing an Ester (LC 2027)

25 – Preparing Soap (LC 2027)

25 – Preparing Soap (LC 2027)

26 – Distinguishing Between Aldehydes and Ketones (LC 2027)

26 – Distinguishing Between Aldehydes and Ketones (LC 2027)

27 – Synthesising & Investigating Benzoic Acid (LC 2027)

27 – Synthesising & Investigating Benzoic Acid (LC 2027)

Explore Leaving Cert Chemistry Exam Questions by Topics

Overview of Experiments (LC 2026)

Overview of Experiments (LC 2026)

1 – Carrying Out Flame Tests (LC 2027)

1 – Carrying Out Flame Tests (LC 2027)

2 – Detecting the Presence of Anions (LC 2027)

2 – Detecting the Presence of Anions (LC 2027)

3 – Measuring the Relative Molecular Mass of a Volatile Liquid (LC 2027)

3 – Measuring the Relative Molecular Mass of a Volatile Liquid (LC 2027)

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

Show more

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

4 – Verifying the Law of Conservation of Mass (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

5 – Investigating Decreases in Concentration (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

6 – Preparing Sodium Carbonate (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

7 – Standardising a Hydrochloric Acid Solution (LC 2027)

8 – Standardising a Sodium Hydroxide Solution (LC 2027)

8 – Standardising a Sodium Hydroxide Solution (LC 2027)

9 – Determining the Concentration of an Ammonia Solution (LC 2027)

9 – Determining the Concentration of an Ammonia Solution (LC 2027)

10 – Determining the Concentration of Ethanoic Acid in Vinegar (LC 2027)

10 – Determining the Concentration of Ethanoic Acid in Vinegar (LC 2027)

11 – Standardising a Potassium Permanganate Solution (LC 2027)

11 – Standardising a Potassium Permanganate Solution (LC 2027)

12 – Determining the Percentage of Elemental Iron in an Iron Tablet (LC 2027)

12 – Determining the Percentage of Elemental Iron in an Iron Tablet (LC 2027)

13 – Standardising a Sodium Thiosulfate Solution (LC 2027)

13 – Standardising a Sodium Thiosulfate Solution (LC 2027)

14 – Investigating the Rate of Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide (LC 2027)

14 – Investigating the Rate of Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide (LC 2027)

15 – Investigating the Effect of Surface Area on Reaction Rates (LC 2027)

15 – Investigating the Effect of Surface Area on Reaction Rates (LC 2027)

16 – Studying the Effect of Concentration on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

16 – Studying the Effect of Concentration on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

17 – Studying the Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

17 – Studying the Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate (LC 2027)

18 – Investigating Effects on the State of Equilibrium (LC 2027)

18 – Investigating Effects on the State of Equilibrium (LC 2027)

19 – Investigating the Heat of Combustion of Alcohols (LC 2027)

19 – Investigating the Heat of Combustion of Alcohols (LC 2027)

20 – Determining the Enthalpy of Reaction of a Neutralisation Reaction (LC 2027)

20 – Determining the Enthalpy of Reaction of a Neutralisation Reaction (LC 2027)

21 – Investigating Galvanic Cells (LC 2027)

21 – Investigating Galvanic Cells (LC 2027)

22 – Investigating with Inert Electrodes (LC 2027)

22 – Investigating with Inert Electrodes (LC 2027)

23 – Preparing & Investigating Ethene (LC 2027)

23 – Preparing & Investigating Ethene (LC 2027)

24 – Preparing an Ester (LC 2027)

24 – Preparing an Ester (LC 2027)

25 – Preparing Soap (LC 2027)

25 – Preparing Soap (LC 2027)

26 – Distinguishing Between Aldehydes and Ketones (LC 2027)

26 – Distinguishing Between Aldehydes and Ketones (LC 2027)

27 – Synthesising & Investigating Benzoic Acid (LC 2027)

27 – Synthesising & Investigating Benzoic Acid (LC 2027)

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