Question

change the ratio of baking soda and vinegar to see whether it...
change the ratio of baking soda and vinegar to see whether it changes the amount of carbon dioxide.

Estimated time to complete: 30 minutes

You will need these materials:

safety goggles
baking soda
white vinegar at room temperature
set of measuring spoons
1 cup graduated measuring cup
3 or more large containers of similar size and shape; must hold at least 2 cups (suggestion: tall glasses, large mugs, or bowls)
tray, rimmed cookie sheet, or large sink to hold containers and contain overflow
paper towels
Stay safe! Follow these safety guidelines for this experiment:

Always wear your safety goggles. Be careful if you are using glass or china. If you drop a container and it breaks, tell an adult right away and follow the adult's instructions for how to safely clean up the broken container.
The chemical reaction in this experiment can overflow. To avoid overflow, do not use more than ½ teaspoon of baking soda or ½ cup of vinegar at any time during the experiment.


Part A

This investigation is a controlled experiment, so you can change only one variable at a time. Decide whether you'll change the amount of baking soda or the amount of vinegar. Give a reason for your choice.





Part B

Now decide how many different combinations of baking soda and vinegar you will try. The number of combinations must be three or more.





Part C

List the amounts of baking soda and vinegar that you will use in each combination. Remember, the amount of one of the two substances must be held constant.





Part D

Carry out the investigation you planned. Record your data in the table. In the observation column, record the amount of bubbles you see.





Question 2: Analyze and Extend

Part A

Explain whether changing the ratio of baking soda and vinegar changes the amount of carbon dioxide produced. Include the evidence you used to reach your conclusion.





Part B

In a chemical reaction, substances react in a specific ratio. Chemical reactions are used to make many products, including food. For a company that carries out a chemical reaction to make a product, why would it be important to know the ratio of substances?