Limiting Reagent Exploration

Background:

When doing chemical reactions, the balanced chemical equation can be used like a recipe for the reaction. Since it is like a recipe, the balanced equation can be used to determine the limiting reagent, or reactant that is used up first and therefore limits how much products can be formed. In the reaction today, we will be reacting vinegar (~ 1.0 M acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate) to determine what ratio of the two will produce the most CO₂ gas. For this experiment you will be using 20 mL of 1.0 M acetic acid and varying the amount of sodium bicarbonate added to try and produce the most CO² gas collected in a balloon.

Prediction:

First, you must write the formulas for each of the reactants and then predict what the products will be. Then, you will need to balance the equation. Next, you will use the given amount and concentration of acetic acid and the balanced equation to determine what the optimal amount of sodium bicarbonate would be to totally react all the acetic acid.

Procedure:

You will obtain three erlenmeyer flasks and measure 20 ml of 1.0 M vinegar into each. Then you will obtain three balloons and measure different masses of baking soda based on your prediction to put into the balloons. Stretch the balloons over the top of the erlenmeyer flasks. Empty the contents of each balloon into the flasks and observe to see which balloons collects the most carbon dioxide.

Data:

Calculations:

1. Determine the number of moles of both reactants for each test group.

2. Determine which reactant is the limiting reagent for each trial.

3. Determine reaction rate of sodium bicarbonate for each trial.