All That Fizz: CO2 Gas

Measuring the amount of CO₂ gas produced during a chemical reaction of Alka-Seltzer tablets with water.

Lab Summary

Students will measure the amount of CO₂ gas produced during a chemical reaction of Alka-Seltzer tablets with water.

Last month’s Chemistry experiment explained how Alka-Seltzer neutralizes the acids in the gastrointestinal system by combining with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form a salt and water. We learned that an endothermic reaction occurs, causing the temperature of the water to decrease.

Alka-Seltzer contains both citric acid (C₆H₈O₇ - anhydrous) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda - NaHCO₃). When you drop a tablet in water, the acid and the baking soda react, producing the famous fizz we see. The bubbles, or fizz, is the result of CO₂ being produced.

Hypothesize: What effect does the number of Alka-Seltzer tablets have on the rate of reaction and CO₂ change?

Published: December 2002

Downloads

• All That Fizz - PASPORT (26 KB, .zip)

  Includes experiment setup, procedures and Datastudio file

Here's What You Need

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Probeware (PASPORT Systems)

Xplorer GLX (PS-2002) - $349

The Xplorer GLX is a data collection, graphing, and analysis tool designed for science students and educators.

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PASPORT Carbon Dioxide Gas Sensor (PS-2110) - $259

Measures carbon dioxide concentration (parts per million) in gases such as air. For use with PASPORT Interfaces.

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Probeware (ScienceWorkshop Systems)

750 Interface, USB (CI-7650) - $679

The 750 Interface allows students to measure force, temperature, pressure, angular velocity, acceleration, current, and magnetic field with a built-in function generator and oscilloscope mode.

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Carbon Dioxide Gas Sensor (CI-6561) - $289

Measures carbon dioxide concentration (parts per million) in gases such as air.

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Other Materials

• (3) Alka-Seltzer tablets
• (2) 250-mL beakers
• Tap Water