Determining the Activation Energy of the Acid-Catalyzed Iodination of Propanone via the Arrhenius Equation

This investigation determines the activation energy of the acid-catalyzed iodination of propanone. The research question focuses on calculating Ea by measuring the time required for the iodine color to disappear at temperatures ranging from 24°C to 50°C.

The methodology employs the Arrhenius equation, utilizing linear regression of ln k against 1/T to derive the activation energy. The experimental value was found to be 86.1 ± 4.5 kJ mol⁻¹.

The paper demonstrates high analytical depth through comprehensive uncertainty propagation for all variables and a critical evaluation of systematic errors, such as subjective color determination, and random errors like temperature fluctuations.