Alka-Seltzer Lab Report



Alka-Seltzer Lab Report

Introduction/Purpose

As a learner, I am very fond of observing chemical reactions - especially materials/substances that dissolve and create bubbles. In this lab, Alka-Seltzer (an antacid that prevents upset stomachs, acid indigestion and headaches), inspired me to create an experiment on it. The inspiration came from a lab in science class. Why do I want to test Alka-Seltzer? Because not only do it I want to observe the key things/reaction that occur when you drop the tablet into the water, but also how the temperature affects the rate of reaction (hot and cold). The purpose of the experiment is to learn what key factors affect the rate of reaction and what are the key characteristics of what happens during a chemical reaction when Alka-Seltzer in Glucose.

Research and Observation

Some of the things I researched were that Alka-Seltzer is a combination of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and anhydrous citric acid. In addition, when the tablet comes in contact with glucose, it creates some sort of a “frizzy” reaction; this may be the production of bubbles. The production of bubbles is made by the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and citric acid reacting to form sodium citrate. Eventually, as a whole tablet, the Alka-Seltzer will disappear in the glucose because what makes up the tablet is gone or dissolved. Something I have observed related to this reaction that has lead me to my question was the reaction between vinegar and baking soda. From the past, I have observed that when the baking soda comes in contact with the vinegar, it produces bubbles and white foam which quickly rises upwards. Although I have never observed how the temperature affects the rate of reaction between vinegar and baking soda. Fascinating me, it interested me into trying this chemical reaction because it also has sodium bicarbonate but most importantly it has other substances which I have never tested.

Question

How much time the Alka-Seltzer will take to dissolve in glucose (rate of reaction)?

Hypothesis/Prediction

In this experiment, I think that the Alka-Seltzer will dissolve slowest in the glucose.

First, I broke the six Alka-Seltzer tablets into twelve halves (six for each trial).

Second, I poured some glucose into the beaker and then made sure it was 10®C since we were measuring different temperatures (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60).

Next, I measured and poured 20ml of the 10® water in one test tube.

Then, I put a half-Alka-Seltzer tablet into the test tube with 10°C glucose and I recorded how much time the tablet took to dissolve.

Quickly, I noted down the observations and results.

After that, I tested all the different temperatures and recorded the timings/observations.

Finally, I did the experiment for a second time, doing everything the same, from step one. (But 2nd time we decided to measure gas production (rise of bubbles in cm)).

 

Results

Trial 1 -

Temperature in ®C

10

20

30

40

50

60

Time

1:05 min

56 secs

31 secs

24 secs

16 secs

9 secs

Observations:

Small bubbles being produced.

More bubbles being produced.

Has a loud gassy sound. Big bubbles.

Dissolving faster. Water rises higher.

Gassy sound is louder.

Rises very high and big bubbles.

Temperature in ®C

10

20

30

40

50

60

Time

1: 03 min

53 secs

30 secs

22 secs

15 ...