Analysis of Mole Relationships in a Chemical Reaction

The purpose of this lab was to react a known mass of sodium hydrogen carbonate
(NaHCO3) with excess hydrochloric acid (HCl), calculate the mole relationship between
sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium chloride (NaCl), predict a balanced equation for
the reaction, and determine whether the results support the law of conservation of mass-
energy. The reaction of sodium hydrogen carbonate and hydrochloric acid is illustrated
as: {NaHCO3 + HCl → NaCl + H2O + CO2}. The mass of NaHCO3 is 3.254 g, but the
mass of NaCl is 12.8. These results do not support the law of conservation of mass-
energy.
During the lab, we were instructed on the procedure in using a propipette, and on
the correct usage of its three valves (Fig. 2). Furthermore, we were instructed to fill the
propipette to the calibration line marked “0” with hydrochloric acid. We were also
instructed to attach a drawing of the propipette to this report (Fig. 2). Finally, we were
reminded of the ultimate care that must always be used when handling such hazardous
chemicals as hydrochloric acid; its acidity is six times stronger than that of human
stomach acid.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1 Masses of Lab Components

Mass (g)
Empty evaporating dish 42.755
Watch glass 26.642
Sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) 3.254
NaHCO3 and evaporating dish 46.009
Hydrogen chloride (NaCl) 18.8
NaCl, evaporating dish, and watch glass 88.2

Fig. 2 Anatomy of the Propipette

Fig. 3 Calculations

Lab Questions

1. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is known to react with limewater (Ca[OH]2), producing a

precipitate of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). This reaction is illustrated in the
chemical formula: {Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O}.
2. The balanced equation holds that the mole ratio between sodium hydrogen
carbonate and sodium chloride is 1:1. This experiment holds that the mole ratio
between these two chemicals is 3.874 (NaHCO3) to 3.22 (NaCl) moles. This was
calculated by dividing each mass by the molecular weight of each chemical.
3. If there were 3.25 moles of sodium hydrogen carbonate, 3.25 moles of sodium
chloride is the expected formation amount, because the ratio of these compounds
is 1:1. If sodium hydrogen carbonate was unknown, but the amount of sodium
chloride was 3.25, then it is expected that there was 3.25 moles of sodium
hydrogen carbonate, again resulting from the 1:1 ratio of the chemicals.

The purpose of this lab was to react a known mass of sodium hydrogen carbonate
(NaHCO3) with excess hydrochloric acid (HCl), calculate the mole relationship between
sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium chloride (NaCl), predict a balanced equation for
the reaction, and determine whether the results support the law of conservation of mass-
energy. The reaction of sodium hydrogen carbonate and hydrochloric acid is illustrated
as: {NaHCO3 + HCl → NaCl + H2O + CO2}. The mass of NaHCO3 is 3.254 g, but the
mass of NaCl is 12.8. These results do not support the law of conservation of mass-
energy.
 The propipette was intensively studied during this lab (see Fig. 2), especially on
the usage of its three valves. The propipette is a newfound instrument for many students,
but it was an essential portion of the experiment, in measuring various chemicals, for
instance, hydrochloric acid (HCl).
During the duration of this lab, a crucial error was discovered. After the
evaporation of the moisture from the evaporating dish, the team’s respective dish could
not be identified from the other dishes. The measurements were, thus, taken of the
incorrect dish, bringing about errors in mass measurement (Fig. 1).
This lab could have been improved if it could be completed in the prescribed lab
periods, although, due to time constraints as well as safety concerns and warnings, the
extension of the experiment time may have been rather inevitable.