Lab 3 Determination of

Equilibrium Constant for a

Chemical Reaction

Marlette Joy Ravelo 0849062

Divya Handa

Lab Section 76

November 5, 2008
PURPOSE

The purpose of this experiment is to find the equilibrium constant for the concentration of the reaction
between Fe3+ ions and SCN- ions for different concentrations of the reactants using spectrophotometry.

PROCEDURE

Refer to Chemistry 1A03 Laboratory Manual for complete procedures for Experiment 3 (pages 4-5).

PRE-LAB QUESTIONS

1. The spectrophotometer must be calibrated to make sure you have the correct measurement.
The FeSCN2+ ions should absorb light at the right wavelength, in this case, 447 nm; and that no
other ions can absorb the light and affect the results.
The calibration line is helpful when you are solving for the concentration of the unknown, since
absorbency of light is proportional to the concentration of the solution. It is produced by
plotting a graph of the different measurements of absorbance at different concentrations.
Where the y-axis value meets the calibration line is the concentration, as marked by the
corresponding value on the x-axis.
2. Mixtures cause dilution
New [C]i
Fe3+ = 0.00150 M/ 2 = 7.50 x 10-4 M
SCN- = 0.00200 M/ 2 = 1.00 x 10-3 M

Fe3+ + SCN-  FeSCN2+

I 7.50 x 10-4 M 1.00 x 10-3 M 0
C -x -x +x
E 7.50 x 10-4 M – x 1.00 x 10-3 M - x X = 1.40 x 10-4 M

E of Fe3+ = (7.50 x 10-4) – (1.40 x 10-4) M = 6.10 x 10-4 M

E of SCN- = (1.00 x 10-3) – (1.40 x 10-4) M = 8.60 x 10-4 M

Kc = 1.40 x 10-4
(6.10 x 10-4)(8.60 x 10-4)
= 1.40 x 10-4
5.25 x 10-7
= 266 ≈ 2.66 x 102
OBSERVATIONS

Table A – Absorbance of FeSCN2+ in the Solutions

Sample Amt. Of KSCN (mL) Amt. Of Fe(NO3)3 Absorbance Other

(mL) Observations (ie.
Color change,
formation of
substances, etc.)
1 1.00 49.00 0.243 Pale orange
2 2.00 48.00 0.438 Light orange
3 3.00 47.00 0.643 Dark orange

Graph A – Absorbance vs. Concentration of FeSCN2+ Ions

Absorbance vs. Concentration of FeSCN2+ Ions

0.8

y = 5880x
0.7

0.6

0.5
Absorbance

0.4
Linear (Absorbance)
0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 0.00002 0.00004 0.00006 0.00008 0.0001 0.00012 0.00014
Concentration of FeSCN2+ (M)
Table B – Absorbance of FeSCN2+ in the Solutions

Sample Amt. Of KSCN (mL) Amt. Of Fe(NO3)3 Amt. Of H2O (mL) Absorbance
(mL)
1 1.00 5.00 4.20 0.146
2 2.00 5.00 3.10 0.263
3 3.00 5.00 2.00 0.386
4 4.00 5.00 1.20 0.491
5 5.00 5.20 --- 0.609

CALCULATIONS

Part A.

Calculate the initial [SCN-] in each reaction mixture. Take into account that 1.0 mL of KSCN (or 2.0 mL or
3.0 mL) from the buret was diluted to final volume of 50.00 mL. The concentration of the coloured
FeSCN2+ ions that were formed are equal to the initial concentration of SCN- ions.

1. C1V1 = C2V2 [KSCN]

0.00200 M (1.00 mL) = C2 (50.00 mL)

C2 = 4.00 x 10-5 M

2. C1V1 = C2V2 [KSCN]

0.00200 M (2.00 mL) = C2 (50.00 mL)

C2 = 8.00 x 10-5 M

3. C1V1 = C2V2 [KSCN]

0.00200 M (3.00 mL) = C2 (50.00 mL)

C2 = 1.20 x 10-4 M