Ready, Set, Reaction!

Ready, Set, Reaction!

PDQ1
Endothermic Exploration!

Overview

Grades:
Time:
Subject:

5-8
5-15 minutes
Chemistry

Get ready to stir up some reaction action as we create a base + acid reaction using baking soda and vinegar and monitor for temperature and CO2 using databot™!

Background

Mixing baking soda and vinegar is an exciting demonstration of a chemical reaction that is simple to whip up, but filled with interesting science to study.   In this PDQ databot™ enters an airtight chamber to monitor CO2 levels and temperature to learn more about what is going on in this fabulous, fizzy mixture.   As you prepare for this exciting exploration, check out the important terms below as well as the pH scale.   Pay close attention to the terms endothermic and exothermic relating to temperature changes in the reaction.   

  • Do you think there will be any change in temperature in this mixture?
  • Do you predict the temperature will increase, decrease, or stay the same?

 

Identify the reactants in the experiment as well as the products.  Remember that a chemical change actually transforms a substance or substances into something new – a new substance!  The following image provides an overview of the reaction.  

 

Take a close look!

 

Can you find the reactants on the pH scale? 

  • Which reactant is a base and which reactant is an acid?
  • databot™ will help you see one of the products of this reaction that is “invisible” to the human eye.   Which one?!

Ready to get started? 

 Prepare your databot™ with a full charge, test your connection to Phyphox, and let’s explore further with databot™!

Objectives

By completing this experiment and conducting the scientific observations associated with it you will master the following knowledge! Good luck science explorer!

  • Different types of substances can “react” with one another to create a chemical change in the substances.
  • Chemical Reaction:
    • When two substances react with one another to create a new, different substance.
    • Causes a change in the composition of a substance.
    • Can cause physical and chemical changes in substances – even creating gas where there was none before.
    • Can require energy (endothermic) to take place or produce energy (exothermic).
  • CO2:
    • An invisible and odorless gas.
    • Exhaled by human beings.
    • Can be generated through a chemical reaction of baking soda and vinegar.
  • The pH scale tells us if a substance is a base or an acid.   
  • Vinegar (acetic acid) is an acid and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a base. 
  • Scientific sensors allow us to measure the scientific world around us with better precision and accuracy.

What You'll Need

  • IOS or Android smart device with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to connect to databot™
  • databot™ + Phypox App installed on your IOS or Android device
  • databot™ Temperature Probe
  • White Vinegar (acetic acid)
  • Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate)
  • Container with an airtight lid.
    In the activity demonstrations, we are using an OXO brand, 4.2 liters,
    storage container that has a push-button airlock feature. 
  • Tea candles – 3
  • Lighter (Long-Handled)
  • Measuring cups, spoons, or graduated cylinder for measuring quantities
  • Glassware – low profile drinking glass or beakers that will fit within your airtight container.

A set of inexpensive glass beakers can be very handy for the experiment.

 

Important Terms

Acid: A substance that has a pH level of less than 7, can donate a hydrogen ion, and is characterized by a sour taste or smell.  If you have tasted pickle juice or smelled vinegar – those are both great examples of acids.

Baking Soda, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃): An alkaline salt and is one of the reactants in the vinegar-baking soda reaction.

Base: A substance that has a pH level of higher than 7 and can accept a donated hydrogen ion from an acid.  A base is essentially an acid’s opposite so when they get together some spectacular things can happen. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is a good example of a base.  

Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A colorless, odorless gas naturally present in the air you breathe and is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis. There would be no animal life or green plants without carbon dioxide. Green plants use energy from the sun plus carbon dioxide and water to produce carbohydrates and oxygen. CO2 is one of the products of the vinegar-baking soda reaction comprised of 1 carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms.

Chemical Reaction: When substances combine to produce one or more new substances.

Endothermic Reaction: A type of chemical reaction that requires energy to take place.  When this happens you will see a drop in temperature in your reactants.  

Exothermic Reaction:  A type of chemical reaction that produces energy.  When this happens you will see an increase in temperature.    

pH: A scale from 1-14 used to rate substances as either “acid” or “base” – the lower the number, the more acidic the substance.  Pure water has a pH of 7.

Physical Reactions: When a substance changes form, but not its composition.  For example, water turning from liquid form to ice.  It’s still water, just in a different state.

Product: The substance created in a chemical reaction.

Reactant: The starting substance that enters into a chemical reaction.

Sodium Acetate (C2H3NaO2): One of the products of the vinegar-baking soda reaction comprised of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and sodium.

Temperature: A measure of a physical property of a substance – how hot or cold is it? Temperature is actually a measure of moving particles in a substance and is expressed in different units such as degrees Celsius.

Units of Measure (metric): Liters, milliliters, parts per million (PPM).

Vinegar: A mixture of acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and water (H20) that is one of the reactants in the baking-soda vinegar reaction.

Volume: The amount of space a substance takes up.

Water (H20): A product of the vinegar-baking soda reaction comprised of 2 hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Prep (5 Mins)

  • Fully charge your databot™, plug in your temperature probe, and test your connection to Phyphox.
  • Load the correct experiment from your Phyphox CO2 collection on your app labeled “CO2 + Temp.” 

Do a quick test by connecting to databot™ and starting the data recording.  Now breathe on databot™and hold the temperature probe tightly to collect data and make sure everything is working properly! It should display CO2 in your exhaled breath and the temperature should increase from your body heat. 

  • Organize your reactants and materials for quick and easy access.
  • Be aware that you don’t want to accidentally combine your reactants before you are ready so keep the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) separate! 
  • Be tidy and keep your workspace clean.

PDQ 1 (10 mins)

Step 1: Set up your “experiment chamber” as shown here. You need an airtight container that has a known volume that will capture the CO2 gas produced by the reaction. 

Materials:

  • Airtight container large enough to hold everything (shown here is a 4.2-liter OXO push-top sealing storage container).
  • Small glass beaker or drinking glass for the reaction to take place in.  You will be working with small quantities of reactants, but you don’t want it to overflow and soak databot™.

*Test your reactants in your glassware before doing the experiment in the chamber.

  • Place databot™ into the glassware, the place the temperature probe flat on the bottom of your glassware so it will be covered by the reaction.
  • Measure 5 ml (1 tsp) of Baking Soda into your reactant glassware located in your chamber.
  • Measure 10 ml (2 tsp) of Vinegar into something easy to pour.  You will be pouring this directly into the reactant glassware.

Step 2: Time to experiment!  

  • Turn on your databot™ in the chamber.
  • Connect to databot™ with Phyphox using the CO2 + Temperature Probe experiment.
  • Begin recording and write down the starting temperature and CO2 reading in the table below.  
  • Have your chamber lid available as you will want to move quickly to seal the chamber!
  • Ready, set, and add the vinegar (acetic acid) to your reactant glassware.  Seal the chamber and watch the data as the reaction takes place!  Run the experiment for 60 seconds.

Observations and Deep Thoughts!

Write down your data and findings in a format similar to the table on the right.

  • What happens to the temperature during the reaction?
  • What invisible product are you able to “see” because you have databot™?
  • What happens to CO2 levels during the reaction?
  • Is this chemical reaction endothermic or exothermic?

Great Work!

Great work! Another Chemical Reaction PDQ coming up! Ready. Set. Go!

Next Step, Another PDQ!

Go!

Educator Info

Educator Info

  • Study the background information in the Overview and familiarize yourself with the learning objectives and terms for this activity.
  • Set-up and test the experiment and practice the PDQ yourself before conducting it with your class.
  • Review the guiding questions to help guide the student experience.
  •   If students are conducting the experiment make sure the glassware is of adequate size to contain the reaction. 
    You don’t want to soak your databot™!
  • Extensions to this activity take place in the Experiment section of this module.  Read through the experiment to understand additional steps.
  • Plan for disposal of the liquid product in a tidy fashion.

By completing this experiment and conducting the scientific observations associated with it you will master the following knowledge! Good luck science explorer!

  • Different types of substances can “react” with one another to create a chemical change in the substances.
  • Chemical Reaction:
    • When two substances react with one another to create a new, different substance.
    • Causes a change in the composition of a substance.
    • Can cause physical and chemical changes in substances – even creating gas where there was none before.
    • Can require energy (endothermic) to take place or produce energy (exothermic).
  • CO2:
    • An invisible and odorless gas.
    • Exhaled by human beings.
    • Can be generated through a chemical reaction of baking soda and vinegar.
  • The pH scale tells us if a substance is a base or an acid.   
  • Vinegar (acetic acid) is an acid and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a base. 
  • Scientific sensors allow us to measure the scientific world around us with better precision and accuracy.
  • 5-PS1-1: Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen.
  • 5-PS1-4: Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.
  • MS-PS1-2: Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.
  • MS-PS1-6: Undertake a design project to construct, test, and modify a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by chemical processes. Emphasis is on the design, controlling the transfer of energy to the environment, and modification of a device using factors such as type and concentration of a substance. Examples of designs could involve chemical reactions such as dissolving ammonium chloride or calcium chloride. Assessment is limited to the criteria of amount, time, and temperature of substance in testing the device.
  • NGSS Practice 4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
    Excerpt: When possible and feasible, students should use digital tools to analyze and interpret data. Whether analyzing data for the purpose of science or engineering, it is important students present data as evidence to support their conclusion.

Article: Changes Matter! Addressing Student Misconceptions about Physical and Chemical Changes

The following questions may or may not be appropriate for the age group you are working with so use your discretion.

  • What are the states of matter?
  • What states of matter do we see in our experiment here?
  • What are the reactants in our experiment?
  • What is the product?
  • Is this a physical change or a chemical change?
  • Does it appear we have created new substances in our experiment?  
  • How could we get our baking soda and vinegar back to normal?
  • Do you suppose this experiment could be dangerous if we were careless?  How?
  • Does the temperature change in this reaction? Why?
  • The products shown in the diagram are water, sodium acetate, and CO2.   Which of these can you only see with databot™ 

https://www.stemmayhemHow should the reaction between vinegar and baking soda be classified?

https://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/reactions/faq/classify-vinegar-bakingsoda.shtml

Misconceptions about science
http://modeling.asu.edu/modeling/KindVanessaBarkerchem.pdf

Why Does Vinegar and Baking Soda React?

Ready, Set, Reaction! by Robert O. Grover & Team databot™ is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at databot.us.com/contact.