Measuring Chemical Kinetics in High School Labs

Presenter(s)

Neha Pesaramelli

Abstract or Description

Chemical kinetics plays a crucial role in fields such as pharmaceuticals, environmental science, and industrial chemistry. This study investigates the reaction between crystal violet (CV) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to answer the research question: How does the concentration of crystal violet affect the rate of its reaction with NaOH, and how can this experiment be optimized for high school laboratory use in terms of cost, safety, and accessibility?

The reaction rate was determined using the initial rates method with two approaches: an algebraic method, where the initial rate was calculated from using the slope formula, and a graphical method, where a tangent line was used to estimate the instantaneous rate at the reaction’s start. The reaction was found to be second order overall.

To enhance safety and accessibility, this experiment was designed to use low concentrations of reagents, reducing toxicity and cost of materials while maintaining measurable reaction rates. The integration of mathematical problem-solving further strengthened the educational value of the experiment, making it an accessible and engaging learning tool for students.

By optimizing this reaction for safety, affordability, and hands-on learning, this study presents a practical approach to teaching chemical kinetics in high school laboratories while reinforcing key scientific and mathematical principles.