An iodine clock reaction can be used to study the kinetics of the reaction between hydrogen peroxide and iodide ions in acidic solution.
The chemical equations for the reactions involved are:
Reaction 1: H2O2(aq)+2 I−(aq)+2 H+(aq)→I2(aq)+2 H2O(l)\mathrm{H_2O_2(aq) + 2\ I^-(aq) + 2\ H^+(aq) \rightarrow I_2(aq) + 2\ H_2O(l)}H2O2(aq)+2 I−(aq)+2 H+(aq)→I2(aq)+2 H2O(l)
Reaction 2: I2(aq)+2 S2O32−(aq)→2 I−(aq)+S4O62−(aq)\mathrm{I_2(aq) + 2\ S_2O_3^{2-}(aq) \rightarrow 2\ I^-(aq) + S_4O_6^{2-}(aq)}I2(aq)+2 S2O32−(aq)→2 I−(aq)+S4O62−(aq)
A small, fixed volume of sodium thiosulfate solution (S2O32−\mathrm{S_2O_3^{2-}}S2O32−) and starch indicator are added to the reaction mixture at the start.
Explain why the reaction mixture remains colourless for a period of time before suddenly turning blue-black.
Plan an investigation to show how the concentration of iodide ions affects the rate of this reaction. Your method should produce valid, reproducible results.