How Does Temperature and Particle Size Affect Alka-Seltzer Reaction Rates?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Juicyfruit11
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Experiment
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on the effects of temperature and particle size on the reaction rates of Alka-Seltzer tablets. The experiment involves three temperature conditions (cold, room temperature, and hot) and varying particle sizes (whole, chopped, and ground). Results indicate that higher temperatures decrease reaction time, while smaller particle sizes increase reaction rates due to a greater surface area-to-volume ratio. Participants are encouraged to graph their results and analyze the data for further insights.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of chemical reaction rates
  • Familiarity with basic laboratory procedures
  • Knowledge of graphing techniques
  • Basic mathematics for calculating surface area and volume ratios
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of temperature on reaction kinetics
  • Learn about surface area effects on chemical reactions
  • Explore the concept of activation energy in reactions
  • Investigate alternative effervescent tablets and their reaction rates
USEFUL FOR

Students, educators, and chemistry enthusiasts interested in experimental chemistry, particularly those studying reaction kinetics and the factors affecting them.

Juicyfruit11
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Part I: Temperature and Reaction RatesMaterials

*

Three Alka-Seltzer tablets
*

Water
*

Three coffee cups
*

Ice
*

Thermometer
*

Watch with seconds

Procedure:

1.

Chill some water with the ice.
2.

Pour just the water into one coffee cup.
3.

Heat some water and place it in a second coffee cup.
4.

Put room temperature water into the third cup.
Use the thermometer to record, in a data table, the temperature of the water in each cup.
5.

Simultaneously (get help from another person), add one full Alka-Seltzer tablet to each cup and begin timing with your watch.
6.

Record the amount of time needed for each reaction to reach conclusion (stops fizzing).
7.

Graph your results.
*Part II: Particle Size and Reaction Rates

Using mathematics, it is possible to compare the surface area of an object to its volume and get a ratio. Interestingly, if you crush a tablet, the ratio of surface area to volume will be higher in the smaller particles than with the whole tablet.Materials

*

Three Alka-Seltzer tablets
*

Water
*

Spoon
*

Three coffee cups
*

Watch with seconds

Procedure

1. On a piece of paper, grind up one tablet with the back of the spoon until it is a fine powder.

2. On a second piece of paper, chop one tablet into several small pieces but do not grind it.

3. Fill the three cups with the same amount of water
Note: the water should be approximately the same temperature at the start.

4. Simultaneously (again, get help), add the ground tablet to one cup, the chopped tablet to a second cup, and the whole tablet to the third cup. Begin timing with your watch.

5. Record the amount of time needed for each reaction to reach conclusion (to stop fizzing).

6. Graph your results.
Note: On the Y axis = time of reaction; on X axis where you are putting "surface area exposed" use 1 = for whole tablets; 5 for small pieces; 10 for crushed.Analysis

You will submit these analysis questions and your two graphs! Make sure you include your data and two graphs.

1. What differences did you observe in the reactions in the three cups in Part I?

2. Look at your graph of temperature vs. reaction time. Describe this graph in mathematical terms—e.g., linear, parabolic (curved up).

3. As temperature increases, what happens to reaction time?

4. What differences did you observe in the reactions in the three cups in Part II?

5. Look at your graph of surface area vs. reaction time. Describe this graph in mathematical terms.

6. As surface area increases (smaller particles), what happens to reaction time?

7. Based on your data, under what conditions would you expect the reaction between baking soda and vinegar to occur most quickly?


Alright, I don't have any way to get Alka Seltzer in the next couple of days, so I wouldn't be able to do this experiment. Any ideas on what will happen in each experiment?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
you can try with any other kind of effervescent tablets
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
6K
  • · Replies 186 ·
7
Replies
186
Views
92K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
8K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
24K
  • · Replies 152 ·
6
Replies
152
Views
11K