A “New” Look at an “Old” Reaction

Abstract

FOREWORDMany students entering chemistry for the first time do not realize the importance of using the basic tools of mathematics applied to simple chemical systems. The iodine clock reaction in this experiment is^old^in that the mechanism of the metabisulfite ion (S205") reacting with the iodine in the iodate ion (103") has been the subject of many articles and discussions.The "new^look that the authors are suggesting in this experiment is the actual use of experimental data with the aid of simple algebra to derive a useful formula which will allow prediction of the rates of this particular reaction under study at various temperatures and concentrations. The only way to determine reaction rates accurately is, of course, by experiment. Also the use of differential equations and calculus could aid the chemist in the prediction of reaction rates under various conditions. The^new75 look thus allows a beginning student to handle an experimental approach to reaction rates without using an ultra sophisticated mathematical approach. The authors welcome comment and criticism on this approach.The experimental data was gathered