6. Observing that Gases Take Up Space
Goal
To observe whether gases take up space.
Method
A 500 ml plastic bottle was filled with 300 ml vinegar.
1 tsp sodium bicarbonate was put into a dry balloon.
The balloon was placed over the mouth of the bottle, and the sodium bicarbonate was tipped into the vinegar.
The reaction was observed, and the effects on the balloon were noted.
Diagram
Results
The reactants fizzed and bubbled. The balloon inflated rapidly.
Balloon before the reaction took place:
Balloon after the reaction took place:
Conclusion
The sodium bicarbonate reacted with the acetic acid in vinegar according to the following equation:
Sodium Bicarbonate + Acetic Acid → Sodium Acetate + Water + Carbon Dioxide
NaHCO3 (s) + CH3COOH (aq) → NaC2H3O2 (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g)
The production of CO2 caused the contents of the bottle to fizz and bubble.
The CO2 then inflated the balloon, demonstrating that gases take up space.