Jeff Osvold

IB Chemistry
Crabtree
3/1/09
The Effect Temperature has on the Reaction of Alka Seltzer and Water
II. Introduction
Research question: How does increasing the temperature of water affect the rate of
reaction of alka seltzer in water?
The collision theory states that reactions are a serious of collisions from particles.
Hypothesis: If the temperature of water, in which you react alka seltzer, is increased, then
the reaction will be faster because the increased temperature increases the number of
collisions and the number of particles with enough energy to react, which increases the
rate of reaction.
III. Variables
Independent: the temperature of the water
Dependent: the time it takes for the completion of the reaction
Controlled: Beaker used, I used the same beaker the whole experiment
Stop watch, I used the same stop watch the whole experiment
Brand of alka seltzer, I didnt change the brand that I used
Thermometer, I used the same thermometer the whole experiment
IV. Materials List/Illustrations
400 ml beaker
Wire gauze
Bunsen burner

Stop watch

7 Alka seltzer tablets

Gloves (heat resistant)

Thermometer

100 ml Graduated cylinder

Goggles

Matches
V. Procedure

Bunsen burner stand/ring

Step 1->
Step 2->
Step 3->
Step 4->
Step 5->

Gather Materials
Put on goggles
Fill the beaker with 100.5 ml of water and take initial temp.
Put 1 alka seltzer tablet into the water and begin the timer simultaneously
Once the reaction has stopped and the tablet is dissolved into the water stop the
timer
Step 6-> Set up the stand and ring with the ring about 6 inches over the Bunsen burner
Step 7-> Place the wire gauze onto the ring
Step 8-> Use the matches to light the Bunsen burner and turn it to a proper flame
Step 9-> Rinse out the beaker
Step 10-> Refill with 100.5 ml of water
Step 11-> Place the beaker on top of the wire gauze and put the thermometer into it
Step 12-> When the temp. reaches 30 C remove the beaker from heat
Step 13-> Quickly repeat steps 3 and 4
Step 14-> Repeat steps 9-12 increasing the temp. reached, before removal, by 10 until 80 is
reached. (note: you will need to use the gloves once 50 is reached)
Step 15-> Clean up
VI. Observations
Degrees in Celsius .5 Time in seconds .01
Observations
18.5

59.34

30

30.59

40

24.08

50

21.11

60

18.27

70

19.57

80

17.89

VII. Results/Analysis

Fast bubbling/fizzing, tablet eroding

slowly, bubbles rising to the top, tablet
rises to top near the end
Faster bubbling/fizzing, tablet eroding
faster, bubbles rising to the top, tablet
rises to top near the end
Faster bubbling/fizzing, tablet eroding
very fast, bubbles quickly rising to the
top, tablet rises to top near the end
Faster bubbling/foaming, tablet
eroding very fast, foaming at the top,
tablet rises to top near the end
Faster bubbling/foaming, tablet
eroding very fast, foaming at the top,
tablet rises to top near the end
Faster bubbling/foaming, tablet
eroding very fast, foaming at the top,
tablet close to top near the end
Fastest bubbling/foaming, tablet
eroding very fast, foaming at the top,
tablet remains at top near most of time

= Rate of Reaction
As an end result I found that increasing the temperature of water, being used to dissolve
alka seltzer in, will increase the rate of reaction and therefore decrease the time it takes
for the reaction to be completed. This experiment involved no calculations. The
uncertainties in this experiment were the exact temperature, exact amount of water, and
the exact time. These uncertainties could have lead to error in the reaction rate, the
reaction itself, reading on how long the reaction took.
VIII. Conclusion
Research question: How does increasing the temperature of water affect the rate of
reaction of alka seltzer in water?
My hypothesis was supported by the information and the shape of the graph proves this.
However, the graph did have an outlier point but this couldve been caused by an
improper temperature reached, improper time, or not stopping the stop watch in time. The
increased speed in the reaction was due to the increased temperature. I conclude that this
was because the increased temperature caused the molecules to move faster, thereby
increasing the frequency of collisions and also providing the molecules with the proper
activation energy. According to the collision theory, the increase of collisions speeds up
the rate of reaction as well as giving the particles the kinetic energy they need to react.
My procedure worked properly and did not have any major sources of error. This lab was

weak because of the accuracy as well as lack of data points. It could be improved by
using an electronic thermometer for accuracy and having a way to keep the water at the
exact temp. for reaction without giving it a chance to cool down. Also, by having more
data points including taking recording of rate of reaction at colder temps than room temp.