Now it is time to design your own experiment to test how particle size (or surface area) affects reaction rate. Answer the next seven questions about your experiment that tests the effect of particle size on reaction rate.

Question

1) What would you do next if your results did not support your hypothesis? Hint: What might be sources of error in your experiment?

The hypothesis: The smaller the particle size (or larger the surface area), the faster the reaction rate will be. This is because smaller particles (or larger surface area) will have more exposed reactive sites allowing for more collisions with other particles, leading to a higher reaction rate.

Hint: You are welcome to use the alka seltzer tablet and water reaction again to design this experiment that tests the effect of particle size on reaction rate. You are not required to use the alka seltzer experiment, you could design a different experiment but it must test particle size affect on reaction rate.

Answer 1

If the results did not support the hypothesis, the next step would be to identify sources of error in the experiment. Possible sources of error could include inaccuracies in measuring the size of the particles, variations in the temperature or pressure of the reaction, or human error in timing the reaction. The experiment may need to be repeated with adjustments made to the procedure or apparatus to reduce sources of error and increase accuracy. Additionally, it may be necessary to compare the results to previous studies on the topic or consult a scientific expert for possible explanations and solutions.