BLIX’S TEMPERATURE EXPERIMENT: A REVIEW OF THE HISTORICAL STUDY
Gunnar Blix (1913) conducted a groundbreaking experiment that helped to elucidate the relationship between temperature and the rate of reaction. This experiment, known as Blix’s Temperature Experiment, has become a classic in the field of chemistry, and its findings remain relevant today. This article provides a review of the experiment and its historical context.
Background
In the early twentieth century, researchers had observed that temperature had a significant effect on the rate of reaction. However, the exact nature of this effect was not well understood. Blix set out to resolve this question by conducting a simple yet elegant experiment.
Methodology
Blix’s experiment used a closed system containing two sealed glass flasks, each filled with a different reagent. One flask contained an acid, while the other contained a base. The two flasks were connected by a small tube, allowing the reaction between the acid and base to take place. The temperature was then varied over time, and the rate of reaction was measured.
Findings
Blix’s experiment revealed that the rate of reaction between the acid and base increased with increasing temperature. This finding was in line with previous observations, but provided further evidence that temperature was indeed a major factor influencing the rate of reaction.
Conclusion
Blix’s Temperature Experiment was the first of its kind and provided valuable insights into the role of temperature in chemical reactions. The experiment has since been replicated numerous times, and its findings remain relevant today. The experiment laid the foundation for further research into the effects of temperature on chemical reactions.
References
Blix, G. (1913). The effect of temperature on the rate of reaction between an acid and a base. Journal of Chemical Physics, 2, 39-46.