Utilizing limiting reactants to determine the percent mass of sodium bicarbonate in an effervescent tablet by observing neutralization reactions

Natalie Youssef Abstract: This lab was done in order to gain an understanding of limiting reactants and how to determine the percent mass of sodium bicarbonate in an effervescent tablet. Dissociation reactions were observed while measurements took place in order to accomplish this goal. Students measured out different ratios of water and vinegar and placed an effervescent tablet in each different ratio. After the reactions took place, measurements were recorded in order to graph and determine the limiting reactant and find trends in the data. Calculations were then done and data was collected and put into tables and graphs in order to determine specific trends. These trends were then evaluated and explained and conclusions were made based off of the data and results. Introduction The purpose of this experiment is to determine the percent mass of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) in an effervescent tablet. In order to do this, dissociation reactions will be observed and measurements will be recorded in order to identify graphical relationships. Knowledge of limiting reactants and stoichiometry will be applied in order to make conclusions and identify trends. An effervescent tablet consists of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), citric acid (C6H8O7), and acetylsalicylic acid (C9H8O4), this is commonly known as aspirin. The purpose of this lab is to determine how much sodium bicarbonate is in an antacid tablet, this is known as the percent composition. Sodium bicarbonate is a basic substance and citric acid and aspirin is acidic. These two chemicals react with one another when dropped in water an acid-base reaction takes place. An acid is a molecule that can donate a proton or accept an electron pair. Hydrogen is basically a proton. Acids and bases are defined by their pH. The lower the pH, the more acidic the chemical is and the more likely it is to give up its hydrogen atoms. The more basic a chemical, the more likely it is to give up its hydroxides. An acid-base reaction is a chemical reaction that neutralizes the properties of the acid and the base. The hydrogen from the acid combines with the hydroxide of the base and forms water, this is known as neutralization. It is this reaction that causes the effervescence to occur because when sodium bicarbonate and citric acid react, water and carbon dioxide are formed. The law of Conservation of Mass can be applied to determine the amount of sodium bicarbonate in the tablet. By measuring the mass lost through the release of carbon dioxide gas, the amount of sodium carbonate in the tablet can be calculated once the sodium carbonate is made the limiting reactant. A limiting reactant is the chemical that is completely used up in a chemical reaction. The limiting reactant can

be determined by calculating the molar ratio of the chemicals involved in the reaction, which is the number of moles of each chemical present. When the experiment starts, the vinegar (acetic acid) will be the limiting reactant and there will be excess sodium bicarbonate. As more vinegar is added, more CO2 gas will be released and the amount of sodium bicarbonate can be determined by measuring the change in mass. When no excess carbon dioxide is released, we will know that all the sodium bicarbonate has reacted. At this point the acetic acid is in excess and the sodium bicarbonate is now the limiting reagent and the percent composition can be calculated. Methods To begin this lab students were required to wear goggles in order to protect their eyes from a chemical burn and wear gloves to prevent chemicals from getting on their hands while measuring. In addition, students were asked to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and close toe shoes in order to keep all chemicals from getting on their skin. As a class we conducted a series of trials involving different ratios of water and vinegar. Two 140 mL beakers were filled with water and vinegar, respectively. Next, students would measure out the specified amount of vinegar and water using 50 ml graduated cylinders. These amounts were put into a third 140 mL beaker. In addition we measured the effervescent tablet and recorded its mass. The effervescent tablet contained 1 gram of citric acid, 1.916 grams of sodium bicarbonate and .325 grams of aspirin. Once we recorded the mass we added the tablet to the third beaker and watched the reaction take place. Then the final mass of the beaker with liquid was recorded. We repeated this process an additional seven times for all specified ratios of water to vinegar. The loss in mass was due to the release of CO2. Then, calculations were done in order to identify the limiting reactant. Next we used our measurements to calculate the amount of sodium bicarbonate in one effervescent tablet in grams, which could then be converted into a percentage and compared to the theoretical value. Percent error was then calculated. All calculations used can be seen in the results section. Results Equation 1: Determining the amount of CO2 lost to effervescence

Equation 2: Determining the mass of NaHCO3 reacted

Equation 3: Determining the percent composition of NaHCO3 in one tablet

Equation 4: Calculating the percent error:

Equation 5: Sample calculation for determining the mass of CO2 lost

Table 1: Class average of calculated NaHCO3 reacted and percent NaHCO3 in tablet. Trial 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Overall Average NaHCO3 Reacted (g) 1.63 1.81 1.74 2.17 1.75 1.97 1.76 2.07 1.86 % NaHCO3 of Tablet Mass 46.39 44.71 42.48 51.07 46.33 48.31 47.66 54.53 47.69

Table 2: Percent mass of tablet that is reacted NaHCO3 Trial 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Vinegar 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 % NaHCO3 of Tablet Mass 46.39 44.71 42.48 51.07 46.33 48.31 47.66 54.53

Table 3: Individual data of calculated NaHCO3 reacted and percent NaHCO3 in tablet. Trial 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Figure1: NaHCO3 Reacted (g) 1.49 2.86 1.79 N/A N/A 2.04 2.1 1.87 % NaHCO3 of Tablet Mass 46 88 55 N/A N/A 63 65 58

By incorrectly measuring the mass of the tablet or beaker to start with a higher mass, the percent CO2 calculated would be greater than it actually was (see equation 5). This would result in thinking that more NaHCO3 reacted than actually did and cause us to think that the NaHCO3 became the limiting reactant sooner. Additionally, recording a lower mass after the reaction would result in calculating a greater amount of CO2 lost to effervescence and therefore more

NaHCO3 that reacted than actually did. In Figure 1 it is clear that as the volume of vinegar increased the composition of NaHCO3 increased as well. However, there reached a point where the vinegar no longer affected the composition of NaHCO3. Even though a larger volume of vinegar was added, the composition remained the same. Where as the class data has a clear trend, my individual data shown in Figure 1 is a little bit more complex. It seems to me that there was a drastic change of composition while a larger volume of vinegar was added, and then it reached a point where the composition was changing but not by much. Similar to the class data, it seems as if it reached a point where no matter how much more vinegar was added, the composition of NaHCO3 would remain the same. Does the Results section contain a written summary of relevant data including a discussion of any trends in the data, the consistency and variability in the data and the shape of plotted data? (2 pts) Are sample calculations shown for each type of calculation performed? (2 pts) absent Are results clearly demonstrated in a properly titled, described and labeled table? (2 pts) one half done Discussion The purpose of this experiment was to determine the percent mass of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) in an effervescent tablet. In table 2 it is visible that the more vinegar added to the ratio of vinegar, water, and a tablet, the higher the percent of NaHCO3. This table is replicated as a visual in Figure 1. As the vinegar amount increases so does the NaHCO3. State your percent error and explain what this means - was your experimental value more or less than your theoretical value? How does the graph allow you to determine the limiting reactant? Think about what was stated in the intro about limiting reactants. State the possible errors that may have occured - you need to be very specific for this. Dont just say human error, or students may have massed things wrong etc Look at the equations you have used and explain how each variable may have contributed to the percent error you saw. This too could result in thinking that we reached the point at which the NaHCO3 as the limiting reactant sooner than we actually did. Subtle errors throughout the experiment would affect the overall trend we see in the graph and may account for the line of fit continuing in a linear pattern and not leveling out, as it should once NaHCO3 is the limiting reactant. Once the NaHCO3 is the limiting reactant, we should not see an increase in the amount of NaHCO3 reacting, or in the percent composition of NaHCO3.

Honors Extensions: 1. Theoretically, how much vinegar needed to be added to react with all of the bicarbonate that was not reacted with the citric acid and the acetylsalicylic acid? Vinegar has a density of 1.0056 g/ml. Suggest an explanation for how these values compare. 2. Provide a possible explanation for why the citric acid, acetylsalicylic acid and sodium bicarbonate do not react when in the tablet, but do when added to water. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. percent error results discussion look over abstract look over intro do honors section calculations