Baking Soda and Vinegar Investigations Revisited

Recommended for grades 9–16.

Figure from experiment 21 from Investigating Chemistry through Inquiry

Introduction

In Experiment 2, Baking Soda and Vinegar Investigations, you investigated the physical and chemical properties of baking soda and vinegar and their reaction. Since then, you have learned much more chemistry, and you have gained new laboratory skills. You will now employ the knowledge and skills that you have gained as you revisit the chemistry of baking soda and vinegar.

As you recall, baking soda reacts with acetic acid in vinegar to produce carbon dioxide gas, water, and an aqueous solution of sodium acetate according to the equation:

${\text{NaHC}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{(s) + H}}{{\text{C}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{(aq)}} \to {\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{(g) + }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O(l) + Na}}{{\text{C}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{(aq)}}$

Objectives

In the Preliminary Activity, you will use a Temperature Probe as you determine the enthalpy of solution for baking soda.

After completing the Preliminary Activity, you will first use reference sources to find out more about baking soda, vinegar, and their chemistry before you choose and investigate a researchable question dealing with these subjects. Your researchable question may or may not deal with enthalpies.

Sensors and Equipment

This investigation requires each of the following Vernier sensors and equipment (unless otherwise noted):

Additional Requirements

You may also need an interface and software for data collection. What do I need for data collection?

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Step-by-step instructions for the Preliminary Activity
List of materials and equipment

Note: The experiment preview of the Preliminary Activity does not include essential teacher information, safety tips, or sample data. Instructions for Logger Pro and other software (such as LabQuest App or TI handheld software, where available) are on the CD that accompanies the book. We strongly recommend that you purchase the book before performing experiments.

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