Iodine Clock
Materials: ★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
Difficulty: ★★☆ Can be done by science teachers
Safety: ★★☆ Some safety precautions required to perform safely
Categories: Chemical Reactions, Colour Changes, Reaction Rate
Alternative titles: Starch–Iodine Reaction Timing
Summary
Two clear solutions are mixed, and after a short delay the mixture suddenly turns deep blue. The timing of the color change depends on concentration and temperature, making this a classic demonstration of chemical kinetics.
Procedure
- Prepare solution A: 0.02 M potassium iodate (KIO₃).
- Prepare solution B: dissolve 4 g starch and 0.2 g sodium metabisulfite (Na₂S₂O₅) in water, then add 5 mL of 1 M sulfuric acid and dilute to 1 L.
- Place 100 mL of solution A in a cylinder and 100 mL of solution B in a beaker.
- (Optional) Chill one set in an ice bath for at least 15 minutes to observe temperature effects.
- Mix equal volumes of A and B, stir, and watch for the sudden appearance of the blue color.
- For concentration effects: dilute solution A to ½ or ¼ its concentration before mixing with solution B and compare reaction times.
Links
Make the Iodine Clock Reaction (Chemistry) - BeardedScienceGuy:
IODINE CLOCK REACTION - University of Glasgow:
📄 Iodine Clock Reaction - University of Washington: https://chem.washington.edu/lecture-demos/iodine-clock-reaction
📄 https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/Download/2eead53c42ed472ba2073c7141a53b52?srsltid=AfmBOooqLvLyRZPl-COd8cNznr040xwE1MI3o9tcDoL1CQb8We9awIkb - Flinn Scientific: https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/Download/2eead53c42ed472ba2073c7141a53b52?srsltid=AfmBOooqLvLyRZPl-COd8cNznr040xwE1MI3o9tcDoL1CQb8We9awIkb
🎞️ VIDEO_TITLE - Author: VIDEO_LINK
Variations
- Show how dilution slows the reaction (½ concentration doubles the time; ¼ concentration quadruples it).
- Use an ice bath to slow the reaction noticeably.
- Compare results of warm vs. chilled solutions.
Safety Precautions
- Wear safety goggles and gloves.
- Do not leave solution B in an open beaker for more than an hour; discard if the reaction no longer works.
- Handle sulfuric acid carefully; it is corrosive.
- Dispose of solutions down the drain with water, as the reactive chemicals are consumed and iodine is complexed.
Questions to Consider
- Why does the mixture stay colorless at first, then suddenly turn blue? (Because iodine is initially consumed by bisulfite ions; once bisulfite is gone, iodine accumulates and forms a blue complex with starch.)
- How does concentration affect the rate of reaction? (Lower concentration slows the reaction; reaction time is proportional to dilution.)
- How does temperature affect the reaction rate? (Cooler temperatures slow the reaction; warmer temperatures speed it up.)
- Why is starch used in this reaction? (It forms a deep blue complex with iodine, making the endpoint very visible.)