Mathematical modelling of the vitamin C clock reaction.

ABSTRACT: Chemical clock reactions are characterized by a relatively long induction period followed by a rapid 'switchover' during which the concentration of a clock chemical rises rapidly. In addition to their interest in chemistry education, these reactions are relevant to industrial and biochemical applications. A substrate-depletive, non-autocatalytic clock reaction involving household chemicals (vitamin C, iodine, hydrogen peroxide and starch) is modelled mathematically via a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Following dimensional analysis, the model is analysed in the phase plane and via matched asymptotic expansions. Asymptotic approximations are found to agree closely with numerical solutions in the appropriate time regions. Asymptotic analysis also yields an approx

SUBMITTER: Kerr R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6502385 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature