Vinegar & Soda Water: Strange Result?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the unexpected formation of white precipitates when mixing vinegar and soda water, specifically focusing on the chemical interactions and solubility of the components involved. Participants explore the implications of these reactions, including potential side effects and the nature of the precipitates formed.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the presence of sodium silicate and sodium ash in soda water should lead to solubility, yet white pieces were observed that did not dissolve.
  • Another participant suggests that the white pieces may originate from preservative compounds in vinegar and recommends using pure chemicals to avoid side reactions.
  • There is a clarification regarding the definition of "soda water," with one participant indicating it refers to a solution of sodium carbonate and sodium silicate rather than carbonated water.
  • A participant proposes that vinegar's acidity could lead to the formation of silicate acid, which is poorly soluble in water, potentially explaining the precipitates.
  • One participant expresses curiosity about the chemical equation that might produce silicate acid as a side effect of the reaction.
  • Another participant asserts that silicate acid is sparingly soluble, suggesting that the observed precipitates could indeed be silicate acid and proposes testing with a base to confirm this hypothesis.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the source of the white precipitates and the implications of the chemical interactions. There is no consensus on the exact nature of the precipitates or the underlying chemical processes involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss potential side reactions and the solubility of various compounds, but the discussion does not resolve the specific chemical equations or mechanisms at play. Assumptions regarding the definitions of terms and the purity of chemicals used are also noted.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring chemical reactions, solubility issues, and the effects of mixing different compounds in experimental settings.

scilover89
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Recently, I mixed vinegar and soda water together in a plate, but the result was confusing. Since soda water contain sodium silicate and sodium ash, the result should be soluble, as sodium salts always dissolve in the water. However, in the experiment, I get some white pieces which can't dissolve in the water. What is it?
 
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Vinegar has some preservative compounds, I think the white pieces come from it. You wanted to do a neutralization, I suppose, I recommend that you do it with real chemicals to avoid side reactions (like those white pieces you saw in your experiment). You may be right about sodium salts' solubility, but consider that vinegar acid may produce silicate acid, which is poorly soluble in water.
 
scilover89 said:
Recently, I mixed vinegar and soda water together in a plate, but the result was confusing. Since soda water contain sodium silicate and sodium ash, the result should be soluble, as sodium salts always dissolve in the water. However, in the experiment, I get some white pieces which can't dissolve in the water. What is it?

Hmmm...by "soda water," what do you mean? Normally, that refers to a solution of CO2 in H2O, which is carbonic acid (a very weak acid). You add a little flavoring to make a carbonated beverage.
 
pack_rat2 said:
Hmmm...by "soda water," what do you mean? Normally, that refers to a solution of CO2 in H2O, which is carbonic acid (a very weak acid). You add a little flavoring to make a carbonated beverage.
I meant the solution of sodium carbonate and sodium silicate.
 
chem_tr said:
Vinegar has some preservative compounds, I think the white pieces come from it. You wanted to do a neutralization, I suppose, I recommend that you do it with real chemicals to avoid side reactions (like those white pieces you saw in your experiment). You may be right about sodium salts' solubility, but consider that vinegar acid may produce silicate acid, which is poorly soluble in water.
Yeah, the solution did contain sodium silicate as you predict earlier. So what could be the side effect chemical equation that produced silicate acid?
Anyway, thanks for your advice.
 
It is clear I think; silicate acid is very sparingly soluble in water, so white precipitates will form. Maybe the ones you saw were just silicate acid, who knows? You may try treating this solution with a base, and report if these precipitates disappear. Then you can conclude that this is probably silicate acid.
 

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