Science Laboratory Report Rubric

Writer’s Name (by alpha): Tarun Rayavarapu, Kiruthic Selvakumar, Syed Rayhaan Sheeraj, Mihir Thaha,
Jonathan Wang
Project: Determining the Equilibrium Constant for a Chemical Reaction

Date:12/9/2024 Period: 2

Points
Descriptions Points
Component Received
Possibl
e
● Descriptive title of experiment (not assignment
name) – 1
pt
TITLE PAGE ● Names of Writer and their contributions - 1 pt 5
● Group Members’ Names - 1 pt
● Date of Experiment - 1 pt
● Own separate page - 1 pt

●
Two to three paragraphs - 1 pt
● Purpose is restated - 1 pt
● Addresses purpose for each part of lab - 2 pts
● Discusses background knowledge from
BACKGROUND class/previous in 10
class/vocabulary - 2 pts
● Information/Research from other primary sources
that
supports what you learned and relates to your
specific
experiment, use parenthetical citations- 4 pts

●
Data chart(s) or table(s) have DESCRIPTIVE titles
- 1 pt
● Data chart(s) or table(s) are included - 2 pts
-Include your data and class data (when specified)
● Precision of instruments and significant figures are
RESULTS used -
12
1 pts
● Answer Post lab questions - 3 pts
● All calculations are shown with a formula and
labeled
appropriately and may be in pen - 4 pts
● NO ANALYSIS of data – strictly results - 1 pt
 ●
At least two paragraphs - 1 pt
● Reflect on how this supports/adds to or
refutes/takes away
from the background information (CLAIM) - 2 pt
● Analyze and discuss actual vs. expected results.
USE
SPECIFIC DATA EVIDENCE w/units - 4 pts
DISCUSSION ● Discuss specific errors not equipment or human, if
this is a 10
CER
large factor REDO TRIALS (minimum of 1 error
reported) -
1 pt
● Discuss possible improvements to eliminate any
errors
(minimum of 1) - 1 pt
● Discuss further experiments that could expand on
the work
being reported - 1 pt

●
CITATIONS Minimum of 2 sources are cited - 1 pt 2
● Cited properly according to protocol
-Listed in alphabetical order - 1 pt

●
Typed
-Font size is appropriate – 12pt
- Paper spacing is consistent 1 or 1.5
-Font type is appropriate – Arial, Times New
Roman
FORMAT -Margins are appropriate – no more than 1” no less 6
than
½”
-Page numbers included - 1 pt
-Proper super/subscripts and symbols - 1 pt
● Each section has a heading - 1 pt
● Grammar and spelling are correct - 1 pt
● NO PRONOUNS - 2 pt

Practical Grade ● 5
Correct determination Keq

/50
TOTAL
Determining the Equilibrium Constant for a Chemical Reaction
Kiruthic Selvakumar - CER
Tarun Rayavarapu - Background
Jonathan Wang - Part 1 Postlab and Results
Jonathan Wang - Part 2 Postlab and Results
Background:
The goal of this lab is to determine the equilibrium constant (Keq) for the reaction

between ferric nitrate (Fe(NO3)3) and potassium thiocyanate (KSCN). These chemicals react to

form ferric thiocyanate (FeSCN2+), which gives the solution an orange-red color. The overall

reaction is: Fe(NO3)3 (aq) + KSCN (aq) ⇌ FeSCN2+ (aq) + KNO3 (aq). However, since

potassium (K+) and nitrate (NO3-) ions do not take part in the reaction itself, they are considered

spectator ions and can be left out. This simplifies the net ionic equation to: Fe3+ (aq) + SCN-

(aq) ⇌ FeSCN2+ (aq).

Swamping plays an important role in this experiment by simplifying the calculations.

According to Edinburgh College, it states, “Swamping is a method used in chemical experiments

to simplify reaction analysis by introducing an excess of one reactant, ensuring that the

concentration of the limiting reactant remains the primary variable of interest.” Essentially,

swamping adds an extra reactant to ensure that the limiting reactant controls the reaction,

reducing errors and simplifying calculations. By adding a large excess of Fe3+ ions, nearly all

SCN- ions react to form FeSCN2+. This approach ensures the concentration of FeSCN2+ is

almost equal to the starting concentration of SCN-. With such an excess of Fe3+, its

concentration doesn’t noticeably change, making calculations easier and focusing on SCN- as the

limiting factor. This technique helps control the reaction conditions and minimizes errors when

working with equilibrium systems. Swamping also highlights the stoichiometric relationship

between Fe3+ and SCN-, ensuring a clear and predictable reaction pathway.

Beer’s Law is key to understanding how the concentration of FeSCN2+ connects to how

much light the solution absorbs. According to UCLA Chemistry, "Beer’s law states that the

amount of energy absorbed or transmitted by a solution is proportional to the solution's molar

absorptivity and the concentration of solute."​In simple terms, a more concentrated solution

absorbs more light than a more dilute solution. This relationship is crucial for determining the

concentration of FeSCN2+ in the experiment, as absorbance (A) is directly proportional to three

factors: the molar absorptivity (ε), the path length of the light through the solution (l), and the

concentration of the absorbing species (c). This is expressed as A=ϵ⋅l⋅c. The molar absorptivity

is a constant that depends on the substance and the wavelength of light used. In this experiment,

a colorimeter set to 470 nm measures absorbance because this wavelength aligns with the

orange-red color of FeSCN2+, where the solution absorbs light most effectively. The path length

is usually 1 cm, defined by the cuvette size. By measuring absorbance, the concentration of

FeSCN2+ can be determined. This allows for the creation of a calibration curve, which

establishes a direct link between absorbance and concentration, making it easier to analyze

equilibrium conditions in the second part of the experiment.

Chemical equilibrium describes a state where the forward and reverse reactions occur at

the same rate, so the concentrations of reactants and products remain constant. In the reaction

Fe3+ (aq) + SCN- (aq) ⇌ FeSCN2+ (aq), equilibrium is achieved when FeSCN2+ forms at the

same rate that it breaks down into Fe3+ and SCN-. The equilibrium constant, Keq, quantifies

how much the reaction favors the products compared to the reactants. Its formula is Keq =

[FeSCN2+] / ([Fe3+][SCN-]), where the concentrations are measured at equilibrium. A higher

Keq indicates that the reaction strongly favors the formation of FeSCN2+, while a lower Keq

shows that the reactants are more favored. Understanding Keq provides insight into the dynamics

of the reaction and the balance between reactants and products under specific conditions.

According to the Department of Chemistry at Florida State University, "The value of K indicates

the equilibrium ratio of products to reactants."​This ratio is essential for determining the relative
amounts of products and reactants present at equilibrium. By calculating Keq, predictions can be

made about how the reaction will shift in response to changes in the system, in line with Le

Chatelier’s Principle.

Le Chatelier’s Principle explains how chemical reactions adjust to maintain balance when

they are disturbed. When a system at equilibrium is changed—whether by adding or removing a

substance, changing the temperature, or altering pressure—the system responds by shifting the

reaction to oppose the change. In this experiment, when excess Fe3+ ions are added, the

equilibrium between Fe3+, SCN-, and FeSCN2+ shifts to produce more FeSCN2+ in order to

"use up" the extra Fe3+ ions. This shift increases the concentration of FeSCN2+, which makes it

easier to measure absorbance and determine the equilibrium constant (Keq). As explained by

Science Notes, "Le Chatelier’s principle states that the equilibrium shifts toward the side of a

reversible reaction that opposes the change." This principle is critical in understanding how

adding Fe3+ encourages the reaction to move in a way that helps gather useful data while

demonstrating how the system reacts to changes in concentration. Essentially, adding Fe3+ ions

causes the reaction to shift, producing more FeSCN2+, which ultimately makes the equilibrium

constant easier to determine. This principle helps clarify how equilibrium systems naturally

adjust to disturbances, ensuring a balance between reactants and products.

Finding Keq involves calculating the equilibrium concentrations of all species. Starting

with the initial concentrations of Fe3+ and SCN-, the change caused by their reaction is tracked

to figure out how much FeSCN2+ is formed. Since the reaction has a 1:1 molar ratio, the

changes in Fe3+ and SCN- match the amount of FeSCN2+ created. A RICE table helps organize

these values systematically. This table—standing for Reaction, Initial concentrations, Changes in

concentrations, and Equilibrium concentrations—makes it easier to follow how the reaction

progresses. By determining the concentration of FeSCN2+ using absorbance data and Beer’s

Law, the remaining concentrations of Fe3+ and SCN- can be calculated. These values are then

plugged into the Keq formula to calculate the constant.

PART I
Results
Data Table for Determining the Concentration of [FeSCN2+] and Absorbance

Standard Number Concentration of [FeSCN2+] Absorbance

(M)

1 0.00 M 0.00

2 8.00x10-5 M 0.0710

3 1.20x10-4 M 0.157

4 1.60x10-4 M 0.232

5 2.00x10-4 M 0.328
Equation of the linear regression: y=1650x - 0.0268
POST-LAB QUESTIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS
1. Use computer graphing software to plot your data and run a linear regression analysis to
evaluate your standard curve. Print your graph and be sure you include the equation for your
linear-regression and the value of the linear regression correlation coefficient.

Equation of linear regression: y=1650x - 0.0268

R-value: 0.979
X-axis/a : concentration
Y-axis/b : absorbance

2. What statistical indicator convinces you that your data is trustworthy? Justify your answer.
The R-value helps convince my data is trustworthy as the r-value shows how linear the data is
and how close it is to the line of best fit. Our data is very close to an R-value of 1.00, indicating
that it is very linear and close to the line of best fit. A line of best fit represents linear regression.

3. Beer’s Law appears in the “Gases, Liquids and Solutions” section of the AP Chemistry
Formula Sheet as A = abc but is more commonly seen in reference material as A c . Either way
A = absorbance, a or ε = molar absorptivity (a constant specific to each solution), b or = path
length of the cuvette in which the sample is contained, and c = concentration in mol/L or
molarity. Calculate the concentration of a solution having an absorbance equal to 0.600 and a
molar absorptivity constant of 5.00 × 10−3 cm−1 M −1 with a path length of 1.0 cm.

A = abc
𝐴
𝑏𝑐
=c

0.600
−3 𝑐𝑚 • 𝐿
= 12.0 M
5.00•10 𝑚𝑜𝑙
• 1.0𝑐𝑚

4. A student fails to insert the cuvette into the colorimeter or spectrophotometer correctly. What
effect will this have on the measured absorbance?
The student's failure to insert the cuvette into the colorimeter or spectrophotometer correctly will
cause the light to scatter when it hits the cuvette, causing less light to be detected. This will cause
an inflated absorbance reading and a much higher reading as less light is being detected, causing
the colorimeter or spectrophotometer to deduce that more light is being absorbed by the solution.
PART II
Results
Data Table for Determining the Concentration of [FeSCN2+] and Absorbance

Standard Number Absorbance Concentration of [FeSCN2+]

(M)

1 0.00 0.00 M

2 0.0260 0.0260 = 1650x - 0.0268

x = 3.20x10-5 M

3 0.0570 0.0570 = 1650x - 0.0268

x = 5.10x10-5 M

4 0.126 0.126 = 1650x - 0.0268

x = 9.30x10-5 M

5 0.181 0.181 = 1650x - 0.0268

x = 1.26x10-4 M

POST-LAB Part II QUESTIONS AND DATA ANALYSIS

1. What is the experimental purpose of test tube number 1?
Test tube number 1 contains no KSCN, therefore no reaction occurs and the formation of
FeSCN2+ does not happen and the concentration is 0.00. This makes Keq unsolvable as no
reaction takes place. It gives a base absorbance value to compare the other test tubes to and acts
as a control group.

2. Use the calibration (standard) curve you created in Part I of this laboratory exercise to
determine the concentration of the equilibrium species FeSCN2+ for each of test tubes 2-5 and
place them in the Part II Data Table above.

3. Use a RICE table along with the initial concentrations of the reactants you calculated in Part
II: Pre-Lab Question 1 part (c) and the equilibrium concentrations of FeSCN2+ for each of test
tubes 2-5 to determine the value of Keq for each experimental trial of this experiment.
2+
[𝐹𝑒𝑆𝐶𝑁 ]
𝐾= 3+ −
[𝐹𝑒 ][𝑆𝐶𝑁 ]

Standard 1
 R Fe3+ + SCN- ⇌ FeSCN2+

I 6.00 x 10-4 M 0.00 M 0.00 M

C none none none

There is no change in equilibrium therefore Keq cannot be calculated from this data.
Standard 2

R Fe3+ + SCN- ⇌ FeSCN2+

I 6.00 x 10-4 M 4.00 x 10-4 M 0.00 M

C -x -x +x

Cx 6.00 x 10-4 M - x 4.00 x 10-4 M - x x

E 5.68 x 10-4 M 3.68 x 10-4 M 3.20 x 10-5 M

0 + x = 3.20 x 10-5 M ∴ x = 3.20 x 10-5 M

−5
3.20 × 10
𝐾= −4 −4
(5.68 × 10 )(3.68 × 10 )

𝐾 = 153
Standard 3

R Fe3+ + SCN- ⇌ FeSCN2+

I 6.00 x 10-4 M 6.00 x 10-4 M 0.00 M

C -x -x +x

Cx 6.00 x 10-4 M - x 6.00 x 10-4 M - x x

E 5.49 x 10-4 M 5.49 x 10-4 M 5.10 x 10-5 M

0 + x = 5.10 x 10-5 M ∴ x = 5.10 x 10-5 M

−5
5.10 × 10
𝐾= −4 −4
(5.49 × 10 )(5.49 × 10 )

𝐾 = 169
Standard 4

R Fe3+ + SCN- ⇌ FeSCN2+

I 6.00 x 10-4 M 8.00 x 10-4 M 0.00 M

C -x -x +x

Cx 6.00 x 10-4 M - x 8.00 x 10-4 M - x x

E 5.07 x 10-4 M 7.07 x 10-4 M 9.30 x 10-5 M

0 + x = 9.30 x 10-5 M ∴ x = 9.30 x 10-5 M

−5
9.30 × 10
𝐾= −4 −4
(5.07 × 10 )(7.07 × 10 )

𝐾 = 259
Standard 5

R Fe3+ + SCN- ⇌ FeSCN2+

I 6.00 x 10-4 M 1.00 x 10-3 M 0.00 M

C -x -x +x

Cx 6.00 x 10-4 M - x 1.00 x 10-3 M - x x

E 4.74 x 10-4 M 8.74 x 10-4 M 1.26 x 10-4 M

0 + x = 1.26 x 10-4 M ∴ x = 1.26 x 10-4 M

−4
1.26 × 10
𝐾= −4 −4
(4.74 × 10 )(8.74 × 10 )

𝐾 = 304

Average Keq:
153+169+259+304
4
= 221
 Discussion/CER
The average of the Keq for the different trials in the experiment is 221. Using the standard

line of best-fit model created in Part I of the lab that plotted concentration against absorbance,

the standard curve was determined to be y = 1650x - 0.0268, where y is the measured

absorbance, and x is the concentration. The 5 Keq values for trials 1-5 are 0, 153, 169, 259, 304.

The initial line of best fit from part 1 of the lab, determined by plotting absorbance values

derived from the constant concentration of Fe3+ and various concentrations of SCN-, was used to

calculate the concentration of FeSCN2+ from the measured absorbance. The correlation

coefficient or the r-value of the line of best fit is 0.98, which is a solid indicator that bolsters the

fact that the calculated equilibrium concentration values of FeSCN2+ are accurate. The Keq value

of trial 1 displays that the experiment is valid because as a control trial 1 had 0 concentration of

SCN-, leading to 0 concentration of FeSCN2+, showing there are no outside factors affecting the

data. The Keq values for each trial are calculated using the equilibrium constant equation, Keq =
2+
[𝐹𝑒𝑆𝐶𝑁 ]
3+ − . By using the predetermined concentrations, the initial [Fe3+] and [SCN-] values were
[𝐹𝑒 ][𝑆𝐶𝑁 ]

known, and [FeSCN2+] was known to be 0. Using the measured equilibrium absorbance, and the

standard line of best fit from part 1, the [FeSCN2+] was calculated, and the change in

concentration was deemed the x-value. Using this x value and and initial and equilibrium

concentrations were found and 5 RICE tables were created, and the x-value was subtracted from

the initial concentrations of [Fe3+] and [SCN-], so the equilibrium concentrations of all 3 products
 2+
[𝐹𝑒𝑆𝐶𝑁 ]
and reactants had been calculated. Using, the equilibrium constant expression, Keq = 3+ − ,
[𝐹𝑒 ][𝑆𝐶𝑁 ]

and determined concentrations from the 5 RICE tables, Keq values were calculated for each of the

trials. Since, the first trial served as a control with no [SCN-] or [FeSCN2+], its Keq value of 0 was

not included in the average, the arithmetic mean of trials 2-5 with Keq values of 153, 169, 259,

304, the mean is 221.

Although there is a strong statistical indicator of the correlation coefficient and precise

measurements in the lab, certain errors inherent with the nature of the experiment could have

possibly altered data and the results. According to the scientific method, all laboratory

experiments with significant data should be run several times for repeatable precise results that

should be reproducible. The possibility of the lab not being repeated could have produced

inaccurate data, and could be solved by running the experiment several times. Another possible

error is the light sensitivity of [FeSCN2+], the compound is sensitive to light and slight variations

in exposure to light between different trials could cause more [FeSCN2+] to decompose, changing

the equilibrium concentrations in all of the RICE tables, and ultimately resulting in different,

inaccurate Keq values. Two possible solutions to the issue of light sensitivity, are first using

amber-colored test tubes for the mixed solution which protect the [FeSCN2+] from light, and can

stop it from decomposing quickly. Another solution would be to work in dimly lit conditions,

where there are less chances of decomposition of the compound. Another error is possible cross

contaminations of samples in Part I of the experiment. This is because the total volume of the 5

solutions prepared were 50mL which could not fit inside of the