Reactions of Acetic Acid and Sodium Bicarbonate

Chris Stewart
Breanna Johnson
2/9/10
Spruce Creek High School
The purpose of this experiment is to find the effect of the chemical reaction with acetic acid and
sodium bicarbonate.
The reaction will yield a reduction in mass in the solution through a gas (CO2).
The materials that were used in this experiment were a graduated cylinder, Erlenmeyer flask,
triple beam balance, acetic acid (vinegar), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), weighing paper,
and a scoopula.
First measure 60 mL of acetic acid (vinegar) using a graduated cylinder. Pour this acid into the
Erlenmeyer flask for the reaction. Place your flask with acid on the triple beam balance along
with your weighing paper and find the mass. Record this combined mass. Add somewhere
between 1.5 to 2 grams of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) on the weighing paper. Record this
new mass. Be sure to know how much in grams you have of sodium bicarbonate. Adding the
sodium bicarbonate little by little let the reaction take place. Swish the solution around to allow
the sodium bicarbonate to completely dissolve. Then mass this solution. Repeat every step above
one more time.
Mass of vinegar,
flask, and empty cup
Trial 1
Trial 2

141.1 grams
plus/minus .05
150.3 grams
plus/minus .05

Mass of vinegar,
flask, cup, and baking
soda
142.8 grams
plus/minus .05
152.0 grams
plus/minus .05

Mass after reaction

142.1 grams
plus/minus .05
149.4 grams
plus/minus .05

The mass of sodium bicarbonate in each trial was 1.7 grams.

1st trial: Mass without baking soda 141.1 grams. Mass with baking soda 142.8 grams. 142.8141.1= 1.7 grams.
2nd trial: Mass without baking soda 150.3 grams. Mass with baking soda 152.0 grams. 152.0150.3= 1.7 grams.
The mass of carbon dioxide produced in the first trial was .7grams; the second trial was 2.6
grams.
1st trial: Mass before reaction 142.8 grams. Mass after reaction 142.1 grams. 142.8-142.1=0.7
grams.
2nd trial: Mass before reaction 152.0 grams. Mass after reaction 149.4 grams. 152-149.4=2.6
grams.

The ratio of the mass of carbon to the mass of carbon dioxide is 27.27%
C=1*12=12 grams O=2*16=32 grams 12+32=44 grams 12/44=.2727=27.27%
The mass of carbon produced in the first trial was .1908 grams; the second trial was .7092 grams.
1st trial: .7grams of CO2/44=.0159 moles of CO2= moles of C*12=.1908 grams.
2nd trial: 2.6 grams of CO2/44=.0591 moles of CO2=moles of C*12=.7092 grams
The percent of carbon in sodium bicarbonate in the first trial was 11.22%; the second trial was
41.72%
1st trial: Mass of carbon produced=.1908/1.7=.1122*100=11.22%
2nd trial: Mass of carbon produced=.7092/1.7=.4172*100=41.72%
The theoretical mass percent of carbon in sodium bicarbonate is 14.29%.
Na=1*23=23 grams H=1*1=1 gram C=1*12=12 gram O=3*16=48 gram 23+1+12+48=84
12/84=.1429=14.29%
1st trial: Absolute value of 14.29-11.22=3.07/14.29=.2148*100=21.48% of error
2nd trial: Absolute value of 14.29-41.72=27.43/14.29=1.92*100=192% of error
The results of this experiment were off marginally in the first trial, but way off in the second. The
errors that were created were from the procedure. When the masses were taken, the mass of the
beaker and empty cup were not accounted for. What could be improved are experimental
techniques such as measuring and reading tools right. The experiment allows for the acceptance
of the given hypothesis in spite of the percentage of errors. For in both trials, there was a
reduction in mass after the reaction.