Calculating Activation Energy of Crystal Violet/NaOH Reaction

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    Activation Energy
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the activation energy of the reaction between crystal violet and sodium hydroxide, focusing on determining the rate constant (k) at different temperatures based on experimental data. The context includes the application of reaction order and the use of the Arrhenius equation.

Discussion Character

  • Experimental/applied
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the experimental setup and the determination of reaction order, asserting that the reaction is first order with respect to hydroxide ions and second order with respect to crystal violet.
  • Another participant questions the source of the k value for room temperature.
  • A participant explains that k for room temperature was calculated using two experiments with varying concentrations of sodium hydroxide, leading to the determination of reaction order and subsequent calculation of k.
  • There is a concern about calculating k for reactions at different temperatures since only one run was performed at each temperature, and the participant expresses uncertainty about alternative methods to determine k without multiple experiments.
  • A later reply suggests using the known mathematical expression for the reaction rate and the measured reaction rate at the other temperatures to back out the value of k.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method used to calculate k at room temperature but express uncertainty regarding the calculation of k at other temperatures, indicating that multiple competing views remain on how to proceed.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on the specific experimental conditions and the assumption that the reaction order remains consistent across different temperatures. The discussion does not resolve how to calculate k at the other temperatures definitively.

kevinnn
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So we just completed an experiment and we are now expected to calculate the activation energy of the reaction we ran using our data. The reaction was between crystal violet and sodium hydroxide. The reaction was performed under pseudo order conditions (sodium hydroxide concentration did not noticeably change) and I was able to determine from those conditions that the reaction is first order for the hydroxide ion and second order for crystal violet. These were confirmed by my professor and I then went on to calculate little k.
I have the value of k for room temperature. We ran the reaction at two other temperatures and my goal now is to determine the k values for the reaction performed at the two other temperatures. I want to do this so I can get a line of best fit through my three data points where ln(k) is a function of the inverse of the temperature and the slope of the line is the activation energy divided by R. Like I said, I was able to determine k and the order of the reaction but now I'm stuck Some help on a proper way to determine the k's at the two other temperatures is much appreciated. Thanks!
 
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Where did you got k for the room temperature from?
 
We calculated k for room temperature by running two experiments, each one with the same concentration of dye but a different concentration of sodium hydroxide. We then set up a ratio of the two experiments to calculate the order of the reaction for sodium hydroxide. From this we calculated k by plug and chug using one of our pseudo order condition equations.
For the reactions at different temperatures we only have one run each. We can't set up a ratio of the reaction at two temperatures because the value of k will be different for each. our professor said we didn't need to run the experiment twice for each temperature so i know there is an alternate way to calculate k at the two different temperatures. I just don't know how to do it yet.
 
kevinnn said:
We calculated k for room temperature by running two experiments, each one with the same concentration of dye but a different concentration of sodium hydroxide. We then set up a ratio of the two experiments to calculate the order of the reaction for sodium hydroxide. From this we calculated k by plug and chug using one of our pseudo order condition equations.
For the reactions at different temperatures we only have one run each. We can't set up a ratio of the reaction at two temperatures because the value of k will be different for each. our professor said we didn't need to run the experiment twice for each temperature so i know there is an alternate way to calculate k at the two different temperatures. I just don't know how to do it yet.

At the other two temperatures, you have measured the reaction rate at some set of conditions, and you know the mathematical expression for the reaction rate as a function of the concentrations of the reactants. Use this relationship to back out what the value of k is at that temperature.
 

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