Levitating Bubbles Science Experiment - Chemical Reaction Explained

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SUMMARY

The levitating bubbles experiment involves a chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid), which produces carbon dioxide gas. This reaction can be represented by the equation: NaHCO3 + CH3COOH → CO2 + H2O + NaCH3COO. The students blew soap bubbles into the mixture, which then levitated due to the carbon dioxide being denser than air, creating a buoyant effect. This phenomenon illustrates the principles of buoyancy and gas density in a fun and engaging manner.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic chemical reactions, specifically acid-base reactions.
  • Familiarity with the properties of gases, particularly density and buoyancy.
  • Knowledge of soap bubble formation and its physical properties.
  • Basic grasp of chemical equations and stoichiometry.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the chemical properties of sodium bicarbonate and acetic acid.
  • Explore the concept of buoyancy in fluids and gases.
  • Learn about the formation and stability of soap bubbles.
  • Investigate other chemical reactions that produce gases and their applications in experiments.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for chemistry students, educators conducting science experiments, and anyone interested in the practical applications of chemical reactions and buoyancy principles.

Numeriprimi
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Hello.
When I was on a scientific event, some students show a experiment with a bubbles.
They poured into the bottle baking soda and vinegar. Then they blowing bubbles directly into the bottle, where the bubbles levitated. Why they levitated? Can you express a chemical equation?

Thank you very much!
 
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Baking soda and vinegar would be very frothy... lots of bubbles already.
How did the students blow bubbles into this mixture? You mean they blew soap bubbles in air and allowed them into the container, and the soap bubbles floated above the liquid?

That's normal buoyancy - the acid+base reaction gives off carbon-dioxide which is denser than air. The soap bubbles, being mostly air, were less dense than the carbon-dioxide layer.

http://www.hometrainingtools.com/bubbles-and-baking-soda/a/1512/

http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemi...-Reaction-Between-Baking-Soda-And-Vinegar.htm
 

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