Dissolving Rate of Different Aspirin Tablets in Water

Practical Experiment Report
11-11-2013

Introduction
This experiment was designed to investigate and compare the rates at which different aspirin tablets dissolve in both Water (H2O [representing saliva]) and Hydrochloric Acid (HCl [representing the stomach’s acid]). The amount of Water and Hydrochloric Acid will be kept constant between tablets, and tests.
Aim
To investigate and compare the rates at which different Aspirin Tablets dissolve. The different kinds of Aspirin tablets are:
Enteric Coated Tablets
Capsules
Regular Tablets
Dissolving Tablets.
Each tablet will be dissolves in both Water and Hydrochloric Acid (representing saliva and stomach acid respectively).
Hypothesis
The Enteric Coated tablet will remain undissolved in both water and Hydrochloric Acid as the coating is designed to remain undissolved until reaching the small intestine.
The dissolving tablet will dissolve the fastest in both water and Hydrochloric Acid as this tablet is designed to quickly dissolve in liquid.
The capsule will soften but not completely dissolve in the water, however will dissolve in the Hydrochloric Acid.
The Tablet will slowly dissolve in water, however more rapidly in Hydrochloric Acid – however loosely comparable to the dissolving tablet.
Equipment
Water
2M Hydrochloric Acid
Test Tubes or Beakers
Stopwatch
2 x Aspirin Enteric Coated Tablets
2 x Aspirin Capsule
2 x Regular Aspirin Tablets
2 x Dissolving Aspirin Tablets
Safety Glasse
(Recommended) Gloves for handling Hydrochloric Acid
Safety Precautions
2M Hydrochloric Acid will burn both skin and clothing
Always wear eye protection while handling Hydrochloric Acid
Avoid contact with Hydrochloric Acid. If in contact with skin, rinse off with copious amounts water
(Recommended) Wear Gloves while handling Hydrochloric Acid
Method
1. Collect equipment
2. Pour _____mL of Water and Hydrochloric Acid into separate beakers or test tubes
3. Add a single type of tablet to each beaker or