How to detect excess sodium bicarbonate in reaction with HCl

[madeeeeee]

Homework Statement

In a lab, i reacted NaHCO3 with HCl and put it under a steady flame and the reaction boiled.

1. What would indicate an excess of sodium bicarbonate instead of excess acid?
is it precipitate?

2. Why was it necessary to add excess acid in the experiment?
Is it so the NaHCO3 will completely react?

3. When the reaction boiled what gases were produced?
CO2 ?

If there is a better answer for this please suggest, Thank you.

 

[Borek]

Have you been able to check pH of the solution?

I am not sure what you mean by "reaction boiled". When you put any solution over a flame it will boil sooner or later, no matter its composition was. When you mix strong acid with solution of bicarbonate (or carbonate) gas will be produced no matter what temperature is (unless solutions are very diluted).

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