Alka-Seltzer Reaction Rates Lab
Alka-Seltzer Reaction Rates Lab
What are the different factors the effect the reaction rate of Alka-Seltzer?
Matthew Arkfeld
Leah Gilligan
Jessie Abbott
Period 4
June 2nd, 2008
Background Research: o The objective of the experiment was to determine if different factors affect the reaction rate of Alka-Seltzer. Alka-Seltzer provides fast relief to acid indigestion, upset stomach, heartburn, headaches, body aches and pains. It is an antacid and pain relief medicine used by millions of consumer’s everyday. It is sold at local pharmacies over the counter and supermarkets worldwide.
o The original Alka-Seltzer was invented in 1931, the active ingredients are: 325 mg of Aspirin, 1000mg of Citric Acid and 1916mg of Sodium Bicarbonate, designed to treat pain and simultaneously neutralize excess stomach acid. It is provided in the form of large effervescent tablets, which are dissolved in a glass of water. As the tablets dissolve, the base (bicarbonate) and the acid (citric acid) react vigorously producing carbon dioxide gas, which also produces enough agitation to allow the active ingredients to dissolve slowly.
o In our lab, our objective was to test if water at different temperatures, salt, and vinegar, would affect the reaction rate of Alka Seltzer tablets. However we thought, that the size of the tablet would not matter. Therefore, we decided to test Alka Seltzer broken into fragment and completely ground up as well as the normal tablet.
Hypothesis and Variables: o Hypothesis: We believe that hot water, and vinegar will affect the rate of the reaction, however, the size of the tablet does not matter.
o Independent Variables: temperature of water (ice, room, hot), Size of tablet (whole, pieces, powdered), Solution it is in (tap, vinegar, salt water).
o Dependent Variable: The rate of reaction of Alka-Seltzer.
Materials: o 3-quart size jars, 3 Alka-seltzer tablets, ice water, room temperature water, hot water,
What are the different factors the effect the reaction rate of Alka-Seltzer?
Matthew Arkfeld
Leah Gilligan
Jessie Abbott
Period 4
June 2nd, 2008
Background Research: o The objective of the experiment was to determine if different factors affect the reaction rate of Alka-Seltzer. Alka-Seltzer provides fast relief to acid indigestion, upset stomach, heartburn, headaches, body aches and pains. It is an antacid and pain relief medicine used by millions of consumer’s everyday. It is sold at local pharmacies over the counter and supermarkets worldwide.
o The original Alka-Seltzer was invented in 1931, the active ingredients are: 325 mg of Aspirin, 1000mg of Citric Acid and 1916mg of Sodium Bicarbonate, designed to treat pain and simultaneously neutralize excess stomach acid. It is provided in the form of large effervescent tablets, which are dissolved in a glass of water. As the tablets dissolve, the base (bicarbonate) and the acid (citric acid) react vigorously producing carbon dioxide gas, which also produces enough agitation to allow the active ingredients to dissolve slowly.
o In our lab, our objective was to test if water at different temperatures, salt, and vinegar, would affect the reaction rate of Alka Seltzer tablets. However we thought, that the size of the tablet would not matter. Therefore, we decided to test Alka Seltzer broken into fragment and completely ground up as well as the normal tablet.
Hypothesis and Variables: o Hypothesis: We believe that hot water, and vinegar will affect the rate of the reaction, however, the size of the tablet does not matter.
o Independent Variables: temperature of water (ice, room, hot), Size of tablet (whole, pieces, powdered), Solution it is in (tap, vinegar, salt water).
o Dependent Variable: The rate of reaction of Alka-Seltzer.
Materials: o 3-quart size jars, 3 Alka-seltzer tablets, ice water, room temperature water, hot water,