BIOLOGY LAB

REPORT
The Effect of Temperature and Solvent on the Dissolving of ​Alka-Seltzer​ Tablets​.

Makyla Grant
BIO-111N3
Christopher Perry
10.13.2019
 
 
 

 
  

INTRODUCTION

Alka-Seltzer tablet; which is a fast relief for heartburn, upset stomach, acid indigestion with
headaches and body aches. It has three active ingredients that help it does its job. The three
active in Alka-Seltzer tablets are 325 mg of ​aspirin and have the purpose of an Analgesic.
Sodium bicarbonate(heat-treated) 1916mg and has the purpose of an Antacid. Anhydrous citric
acid 1000mg which has the purpose of an Antiacid. ​If the rate of Alka-Seltzer tablets dissolving
in different solvents is tested, then either the hydrogen or the vinegar will cause the tablet to
dissolve faster because of the acidity in both the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide mixing with the
antiacid in the Alka-Seltzer tablets. If the rate of Alka-Seltzer tablets dissolving in different
amounts of solvents is tested, then hydrogen or vinegar will still cause the tablets to dissolve
faster because there is more liquid.

MATERIALS

1. Alka-Seltzer tablets(10)
2. Phone(timer)
3. Measuring cups(option for getting the same amount of liquid)
4. Stirring stick
5. Glasses to hold the liquid(separate glass for each liquid)
6. Solvents (from the list given)
a. Mouthwash
b. Water
c. Hydrogen Peroxide
d. Milk
e. Vinegar

PROCEDURE

1. Put an equal amount of liquid in each cup( ½ cup)

2. Have your timer ready

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 3. Place tablets into one liquid at a time(better to do it one and record after it dissolved so
that you are not guessing the time if you did all of them)
4. Use the stick(stirring utensil) to help dissolve the Alka-Seltzer tablet
5. Repeat steps change something in the experiment( I am changing the amount of liquid
I’m putting in)

Independent Variable: ​The different solvents that are being used and the amount of each

Dependent Variable:​ Time it takes for the Alka-Seltzer tablets to dissolve

Controlled Variable: ​The original amount of the solvents

DATA

Solvent Amount of Solvent Time to dissolve

Original:½ cup Original:45.98sec

Water
More liquid: 1 cup More liquid: 42.85sec

Original:½ cup Original:43.25sec

Milk
More liquid: 1 cup More liquid:1.32.41<sec

Original:½ cup Original:56.59

Vinegar
More liquid: 1 cup More liquid: 40.87sec

Original:½ cup Original:40.39sec

Hydrogen Peroxide
More liquid: 1 cup More liquid: 50.85sec

Original:½ cup Original:1.11.29sec

Mouth Wash
More liquid: 1 cup More liquid: 1.00.19sec

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CONCLUSION
In this lab, the effect of dissolving ​Alka-Seltzer t​ ablets is different solvents and different amounts
of solvents were tested. In line with the hypothesis, the data provided from the experiment
demonstrated that the tablets dissolved the fastest in the Hydrogen peroxide with the ½ cup
amount. This was the expected result because of the antiacid mixed with the acidity inside the
hydrogen peroxide. In future experiments the effect of different temperatures of solvents, and the
Alka-Seltzers dissolving time withing it. Doing this is another way to test the best way to
dissolve Alka-Seltzer tablets.

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REFERENCES

1. Alka-Seltzer original. (2016, July 12). Retrieved October 11, 2019, from
https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/aches-pains/a8379/alka-seltzer-original/

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