Investigating the Law of Conservation of Mass

Criterion B Assessment

Research question :

How does the quantity of baking soda (0.2,0.3,0.4,0.5,0.6 grams) affect the overall mass (grams) of
CO2 emitted when reacted with vinegar?

Background Information :

In this experiment, I will be investigating the law of conservation of mass with sodium bicarbonate (
NaHCO₃) and vinegar (CH3COOH). This reaction is a neutralization chemical reaction that will
include an acid + a base that will ultimately result in a neutral base . In this case, the vinegar / acetic
acid is the acid and the sodium bicarbonate is the base. Sodium bicarbonate is a crystalline salt , and is
composed of sodium cation (Na+), as well as bicarbonate anion ( HCO3) . It has the ability to make
an alkaline solution, neutralizing acids by breaking down into sodium and bicarbonate, this is why
sodium bicarbonate is often used in baking as the reaction of the sodium bicarbonate with an acid
creates C02, which helps make the dough fluffy. The acetic acid will therefore react with the sodium
bicarbonate as it breaks down until neutralised. Vinegar is made in a process of fermentation of
ethanol, and it contains acetic acid , water, and other chemicals. Vinegar has a relatively low ph, and is
considered a weak acid. Therefore vinegar is used as a household cleaner as the low ph gives it
bactericidal activity. Sodium bicarbonate has a mass of 84.007 g/mol, while vinegar has a mass of
1.01 g/ml . The following experiment can be put into the chemical equation of
NaHCO3(s) + CH3COOH(aq) → NaCH3COO (aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
Baking soda + acetic acid → sodium acetate + water + carbon dioxide
and will look to the law of conservation of mass. The law of conservation of mass states that mass
cannot be created or destroyed, solely rearranged, meaning that the mass of the reactants in an
experiment will have to equal the mass of the products.

Hypothesis :

The mass of the products ( CO2, water, sodium acetic) will equal to the mass of the reactants ( sodium
bicarbonate, vinegar/ acetic acid). This theory supports the law of conservation of mass, as the
reactants going into the chemical reaction should equal the mass of the products due to the fact that
mass cannot be destroyed or created.

Variables :

Independent Variable Units / Range Notes

Baking soda
Dependent Variable
The mass of the emitted CO2
Use an electronic balance to make sure
(0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6) Grams that there is the exact amount of the
required baking soda each trial
Units / Measured* / Calculated Notes / Trials
We will put a rubber tube through a
Grams flask with the reacting solid and liquid
inside. The substance produced can then
 be transported through a rubber tube to
a gas syringe, where the CO2 produced
can be observed.
* Make sure that you convert mL to
grams after observation as mass is
measured in grams.

Controlled variables :
Controlled and Monitored Values / Units / Measurement Rationale
Variables

Vinegar 50 mL We will use 50 ml of vinegar each trial,

Type of flask
The amount of time between
pouring the baking soda and
plugging in the cork
250 mL flasks
Maximum 2 seconds
and we will insure the accuracy using a
measuring cylinder.
We will only use 1 type of flask for the
whole experiment, and only use the
250ml flasks . The flasks used must
have an opening that will allow for a
tube to be inserted.
This control variable has more room for
human errors, but can greatly affect the
experiment if not followed. We will
only take a maximum of 2 seconds to
plug in the cork after pouring the baking
soda , and have at least 2 people to
complete the task.

Materials :

- Baking soda (0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6) Grams

- 50 mL Vinegar
- 250 mL Flask
- Electronic balance
- Measuring cylinder
- Cork
- Weigh boat
- Syringe
- Rubber Tube
- Spatula

Method :

1. Gather all materials needed for the experiment in a clear area that wouldn’t interfere with
other experiments or create a risk of safety
 2. Set up the clamp stand and place the syringe into the clamp. Tighten the syringe on the ring
stand, and set it up in a way where you are able to see the numbers on the syringe.
3. Attach one end of the rubber tube to the flask and the other end to the syringe.
4. Place the empty flask with the cork on the electronic balance and press the tare button to zero
out the weight
5. Measure out 50 ml of vinegar with a measuring cylinder
6. Pour the measured vinegar into the flask. ( be careful not to spill any of the vinegar as it could
affect the experiment )
7. Turn on the electronic balance
8. Using a spatula, scoop the baking soda from the box onto the weigh boat (Adjust to the
correct amount based on the desired weight by decreasing or increasing the amount of baking
soda)
9. Make sure the syringe is pushed all the way in, and is at 0.
10. Carefully add the baking soda into the flask with the vinegar.
11. While one person adds the baking soda, make sure another person has the cork and to close
the flask immediately after the baking soda is poured in.
12. Quickly record the initial mass of the flask with the vinegar and baking soda with the
electronic balance.
13. Observed the scale on the syringe and determine the amount of CO2 emitted ( this should be
in ml )
14. Write down the quantitative and qualitative data ( best with a table )
15. Clean the flask thoroughly with water ( to make sure there is not baking soda or vinegar left
over as it could affect the experiment.
16. Repeat steps 3-15 for each independent variable (0.2,0.3,0.4,0.5,0.6) grams, make sure you do
3 trials for each.

Safety, Ethical & Environmental Considerations

Category Safety concerns

In the classroom - Ensure that you are wearing a lab coat

and safety goggles at all times during
the experiment
- If you have long hair, tie it up with a
rubber band to prevent it from
impacting the experiment.

Sodium Bicarbonate - Never rub or touch your eyes after

coming in contact with baking soda as it
can cause irritation to the eyes, redness,
and swelling.
- If this does occur, rinse your
eye with water for several
minutes , and if worsens, go to
a doctor to consult
- If sodium bicarbonate is inhaled,
coughing and sneezing may be a result
of this
- If this situation arises, remove
the victim from the area and
move to an area with fresh air
- Ingestion of sodium bicarbonate will
only be harmful if large amounts are
ingested, and can lead to
Gastrointestinal irritation. It is
recommended that the sodium
bicarbonate not be ingested.
- If this situation does occur,
drink water, and consult a
doctor

Vinegar (acetic acid) - Vinegar, and in particular the acetic acid

in vinegar can cause extreme irritation
to the eyes and skin
- Never add water to acetic acid
- Keep acetic acids away from
sources of heat, and flame
- Be sure to have an eye wash, or
water nearby in case of
emergencies.
- Acetic acid can also damage organs if
inhaled.
 - Ingestion of acetic acid can result in
vomiting and even the lost of
consciousness

Data Tables :

Table 1 : Recording The mass of the reactants

Amount of Mass of the
baking soda reactants (
added ( grams ) vinegar and
baking soda )

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

Table 2 : Recording The mass of the products

Amount of Mass of the
baking soda products ( CO2 ,
added ( grams ) water, sodium
acetic)

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

Table 3 : comparing the average mass of the products and the average mass of the reactants in each
trial
Amount of baking soda (grams) Mass of the products Mass of the reactants
0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

Calculations needed :

Calculations Formula / method

Average Sum of trials / number of trials = average

Ex :

20+22+26 / 3 = 22.7

Conversion of mL to grams Milliliters is a unit of volume, and grams is

a unit of weight, meaning you must convert
ml to grams in this experiment to find the
mass.
To do this :
Amount in ml ×density of substance (
ideally in g / mL )

Predicted Graph :
 This is the predicted graph, according to my hypothesis. Though not completely visible in this graph,
I did predict a slight difference in mass in the reactants and the products due to human error. I
felt as the experiment did have areas that could succumb to human error and therefore I
predicted a slight difference in mass.

Works Cited

Helmenstine, Anne Marie. “What Is the Chemical Composition of Vinegar?” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo,

4 June 2019, www.thoughtco.com/chemical-composition-of-vinegar-604002.

Mott, Vallerie. “Introduction to Chemistry.” Lumen,

courses.lumenlearning.com/introchem/chapter/the-law-of-conservation-of-mass/.

“Safety with Sodium Bicarbonate.” MSDSonline, 18 Sept. 2017,

www.msdsonline.com/2015/02/16/safety-with-sodium-bicarbonate/.

“Sodium Bicarbonate Oral : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.”

WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-11325/sodium-bicarbonate-oral/details.

“ML and Grams Conversion.” The Calculator Site,

www.thecalculatorsite.com/cooking/ml-grams.php.