Living Waters Lutheran College

Year 8 Science- Chemistry

Assessment Five
Weighting – 15%

RATE OF REACTION INVESTIGATION

Name: ________________________________ Due: ___________

Due date: Friday Week 9 Term 2 Marks: ____/25

Your task: Alka-Seltzer is an effervescent (bubbling) antacid and pain reliever for the relief of
heartburn and indigestion. Alka-Seltzer relieves indigestion by neutralizing excess
hydrochloric acid (HCl) in our stomach. One of the active ingredients in Alka-Seltzer is
Sodium Hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3), which reacts with HCl and changes it into Carbon
dioxide gas (CO2) and water (H2O). The fizzing that is seen when an Alka-Selzer tablet is
dropped in acid is the same sort of fizzing reaction that can be seen when baking soda is
mixed with vinegar. The word equation is shown below:

Sodium Hydrogen carbonate + Hydrochloric Acid  Sodium Chloride + Water + Carbon dioxide

Phenol Red is a dye that can be used to test for changes in acid base reactions. Phenol Red is
normally dark red but will turn yellow in the presence of Carbon dioxide. AS the chemical
reaction between Alka-Seltzer proceeds, more carbon dioxide is produced, and the phenol
red dye turns from red to yellow. This change in colour can be used to indicate when the
reaction is complete.

You will investigate how changing the surface area of the Alka-Seltzer tablets affects the rate
of reaction of sodium hydrogen carbonate and hydrochloric acid. Complete the questions on
the experiment and plot a graph on the data collected.

1
Materials:

Hydrochloric Acid Mortar and Pestle

Graduated Cylinder Alka-Seltzer

Metal Spoon Phenol Red Indicator

3 Small beakers Stopwatch

Method:

1. Using a graduated cylinder, pour 15mL of HCl into one beaker

2. Add 15 drops of Phenol Red to each beaker
3. Add the crushed tablet to the beaker SLOWLY and start the timer
4. Stir the reactants with the metal spoon and time how long it takes for the tablet to
FULLY DISSOLVE
5. Repeat steps 1 and 3 – but use a tablet that is broken into quarters, and then a full
tablet.
6. Collect data from two other groups for Trial 2 and 3.
7. Calculate the average in your table.

2
Predictions and Planning:

1. Identify the following variables: (5)

Independent variable (what are you changing?):

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Dependent variable (what are you measuring):

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Controls (what is being kept the same; identify 3 control variables):

Hint: use the method to help you identify the control variables

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2. Write a suitable hypothesis for this investigation (write an IF/THEN statement to

describe how the independent variable and the dependent variable are related and
explain). (2)
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 Results: (4)

Reaction Rate – Time for solution to turn yellow (s)

Tablet Surface Area
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

Powder

Quarter

Full

NB: Calculate the average by adding the time taken for each trial and divide by the
number of trials

3. Graph the results for the experiment. (5)

4
 4. From your graph describe the relationship between the surface area of the Alka-
Seltzer tablet and the rate of reaction. Use data from your table and/or graph to
support your statement. (2)

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5. What does this investigation tell you about the impact of changing surface area on
the rate of reaction? In your response refer to the particles in the reaction. (2)

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6. After adding the tablets to the beaker, when the tablet dissolved and had stopped
fizzing the indicator changed from yellow back to a red/orange colour. Explain why
this happened. (1)

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7. Do you think the results are reliable? Explain your reasoning. (2)

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8. Identify and explain any errors that happened or improvements that could be made
to this investigation that may affect the data collected. (2)
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 8. Describe two other methods of changing rate of reaction. (2)

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9. Write a conclusion for this investigation, refer to your hypothesis in your response.
(2)

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