Introduction

When two or more chemicals react, other substances such as gases may be produced. The rate at which the reaction takes place can be affected by a number of different factors including temperature. In this activity, you will see how temperature affects the rate at which an effervescent antacid tablet reacts with water and releases a gas. The rate at which the reaction occurs is measured by the rate of gas production.

You will measure this rate by recording the pressure variation in a closed container as the reaction proceeds using a pressure sensor. Then you can use a mathematical model relating pressure and time to describe how water temperature affects chemical reaction rates.

Objectives