How to Plot a Graph of Gas Volume vs. Time and Determine Reaction Rates

To plot a graph of the volume of gas produced against time, you need to follow these steps:

1. Collect Data: As the reaction progresses, measure the volume of gas produced at regular intervals.
2. Set Up Axes: On a graph, place the time on the horizontal axis (x-axis) and the volume of gas on the vertical axis (y-axis).
3. Plot Points: For each time interval, mark a point on the graph corresponding to the volume of gas produced.
4. Draw the Curve: Connect the plotted points to form a curve or line that represents the reaction.

Once the graph is created, you can determine the rate of reaction by analyzing the slope of the graph at specific times:

• At 15 seconds: Locate the point on the graph corresponding to 15 seconds. Draw a tangent line at this point and calculate the slope (change in volume/change in time) to find the rate of reaction. This slope indicates how quickly gas is being produced at that moment.
• At 120 seconds: Similarly, locate the point for 120 seconds on the graph and determine the slope of the tangent line at that point. This will give you the rate of reaction at this later stage.

The steeper the slope, the faster the rate of reaction. Comparing the rates at both 15 seconds and 120 seconds can provide insights into how the reaction progresses over time.