Chemistry Experiment

Chemistry AS403 – Experiment

Chemical reactions proceed at a set rate, but the rate varies depending on many factors. Environmental conditions in particular have a major impact on the rate at which reactions may proceed.

Undertake the following experiment at home to test this principle.

Buy a box of Alka-Seltzer anti-indigestion medication. This product combines acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and citric acid.

You will be conducting an experiment with 3 tablets. Place one tablet in a glass of hot (but not boiling) water, another in a glass of ice-cold water, and a third in a glass filled with water that is at room temperature. Measure how long the fizzing continues in each glass after dropping the tablet.

Prior to the experiment, construct hypotheses about (1) the likely outcome and (2) the mechanism by which the fizzing is produced. After gathering data, interpret your results, design any follow-up experiments that might be needed to refine the data, and make a list of factors that might have impacted the accuracy of your experiment.

Feel free to use the left-over Alka-Seltzer to sooth your heartburn....