Running Head: MIDTERM

Midterm Morgan Hunt Ivy Tech Community College Indiana

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In our rounds of inquiry performed Wednesday, July 3rd, 2013, we conducted an experiment to observe the expansion rate of the balloon when a water and Alka-Seltzer mixture is added. After researching, I discovered the active ingredients in Alka-Seltzer are sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). We used the recommended amount of water on the back of the Alka-Seltzer tablet package for our first round of inquiry, completely submerging the surface of the tablets in the water for rapid dissolution. We observed a product of this reaction is carbon dioxide gas, which increased pressure accumulation inside of the balloon causing it to expand and stand upright on top of the graduated cylinder. For our second round of inquiry, the variable we manipulated was doubling the amount of water measured in the graduated cylinder, which only diluted our mixture causing a slower expansion rate for the balloon. A question I had during this experiment was with regards to if water is the best diluent for Alka-Seltzer and why. After researching, I learned that it dissolves best in water because water does not contain other compounds like other liquids do, which would take it longer to dissolve. For our third round of inquiry the variable we manipulated was increasing the temperature of the water. According to the Alka-Seltzer website, the best temperature is room temperature, which is what we used in our first round of inquiry. This round when warmer water was used we observed the mixture fizz and overflow, creating an effervescent formula. After researching, I discovered that warm water temperatures cause the tablets to float on top of the liquid, rather than sink to the bottom, as well as make the mixture foam excessively. I discovered this was because although the liquid may appear to be bubbling up the graduated cylinder, the tablets are not dissolving in the most efficient way. To my surprise, cold water slows down the dissolution as well.

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This experiment illustrated a chemical reaction manifestation, releasing carbon dioxide gas. The main scientific concepts studied during this inquiry were kinetics, chemical reactions, gases, and solubility. We observed the water act as a solvent to dissolve the active ingredients (sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) so that they can react. We also learned that the rate of the reaction and expansion time is directly correlated to the temperature and volume of the water used. By following our procedure, this entire experiment could be recreated and the expected results could be achieved. This type of learning could be applied in my future classroom when introducing the topics of kinetics, chemical reactions, gases, and solubility, as well as visually demonstrating these basic concepts. Round 1 Question: What effect does mixing water and Alka-Seltzer have on a balloon? Claim: It will create gas, causing expansion. Procedure Materials: 3 Alka-Seltzer tablets Water 3 Balloons Timer Tape measure Scale Measuring cup Thermometer Graduated cylinder STEPS

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1. Gather all materials. 2. Cut Alka-Seltzer tablets into three equal pieces weighing out to be 1.6 grams per section. 3. Fill water in measuring cup to 1oz (21mL) and pour in graduated cylinder. 4. Record the baseline temperature of the water: 72.3 degrees Fahrenheit 5. Crush up one pre-cut Alka-Seltzer tablet piece into powder form inside the balloon. 6. Put balloon on top of the graduated cylinder and pour powdered Alka-Seltzer in the water. 7. Time and record how long it takes to get the balloon to fully expand standing upright. 8.48 seconds 8. Repeat twice more, recording the times. 9.5 seconds and 9.7 seconds 9. Find an average of the three times. 9.2 seconds Evidence: The test results of visual observations of the balloons expansion verified our claim. Conclusion: Alka-Seltzer tablets in the water caused gas, creating expansion. Round 2 Question: How will doubling the amount of water measured in the graduated cylinder effect the balloons expansion rate in time? Claim: More water will cause the balloon to expand faster. Procedure Materials: 3 Alka-Seltzer tablets Water 3 Balloons Timer Tape measure

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Scale Measuring cup Thermometer Graduated cylinder STEPS 1. Gather all materials. 2. Cut Alka-Seltzer tablets into three equal pieces weighing out to be 1.6 grams per section. 3. Fill water in measuring cup to 2oz (42mL) and pour in graduated cylinder. 4. Record the baseline temperature of the water: 72.3 degrees Fahrenheit 5. Crush up one pre-cut Alka-Seltzer tablet piece into powder form inside the balloon. 6. Put balloon on top of the graduated cylinder and pour powdered Alka-Seltzer in the water. 7. Time and record how long it takes to get the balloon to fully expand standing upright. 13.09 seconds 8. Repeat twice more, recording the times. 22 seconds and 13 seconds 9. Find an average of the three times. 16.03 seconds Evidence: Our recorded time showed that our claim was incorrect because more water created a slower reaction time with the Alka-Seltzer in the balloon. Conclusion: Doubling the amount of water diluted the mixture, slowing down the expansion rate of the balloon. Round 3

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Question: What will happen if the temperature of the water is increased? Claim: Increasing the temperature of the water will slow down the reaction and expansion time of the balloon. Procedure Materials: 3 Alka-Seltzer tablets Water 3 Balloons Timer Tape measure Scale Measuring cup Thermometer Graduated cylinder STEPS 1. Gather all materials. 2. Cut Alka-Seltzer tablets into three equal pieces weighing out to be 1.6 grams per section. 3. Fill water in measuring cup to 1oz (21mL) and pour in graduated cylinder. 4. Increase the baseline temperature of the water to 113.5 degrees Fahrenheit 5. Crush up one pre-cut Alka-Seltzer tablet piece into powder form inside the balloon. 6. Put balloon on top of the graduated cylinder and pour powdered Alka-Seltzer in the water. 7. Time and record how long it takes to get the balloon to fully expand standing upright. 8.1 seconds

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8. Repeat twice more, recording the times. 6 seconds and 3.4 seconds 9. Find an average of the three times. 6 seconds Evidence: Our claim was incorrect because the recorded times proved that an increase in temperature sped up the reaction and expansion time of the balloon. Conclusion: Warmer water creates a faster reaction and expansion rate.