CONSERVATION BLOWS IT UP: PRE-LABORATORY ASSIGNMENT – Answers (Due 09.20 & 21)
In our next Chemistry class, you will conduct an experiment involving the chemical reaction of baking soda and vinegar. To prepare for
the lab, complete the following assignment. This is a graded portion of your lab report.
Read pp. 260-266 in your textbook and then answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What is a chemical reaction? (answer on pp. 260)
 A chemical reaction is the process by which one or more substances change into one or more new substances
whose chemical properties and physical properties differ from those of the original substances.
 In a chemical reaction, the original substances, which can be elements or compounds, are known as reactants. The
substances created are called products.
2. Describe evidence that chemical reactions take place during a fireworks display. (Use Table 1 on pp. 261 for hints.)
 Some evidence of chemical reactions during a fireworks display are the production of light and sound. Also, there is an
explosion which would likely release heat. That is why fireworks are dangerous. Additionally, fireworks come in many
colors and the change in color can be evidence of a chemical reaction.
3. What is a chemical equation? (answer on pp. 263)
 A chemical equation shows the chemical formulas and relative amounts of all the reactants and products that are part of a
certain chemical reaction. The reactants are on the left, then there is an arrow in the middle, and the products are on the
right. The arrow means “forms” or “produces”.
4. What is the chemical name for baking soda? (See pp. 264-265.)
 Sodium hydrogen bicarbonate
5. What is the chemical name for vinegar? (See pp. 264-265.)
 Acetic acid (dissolved in water)
6. Write the chemical equation for the reaction of baking soda and vinegar in words.
Baking soda (sodium hydrogen bicarbonate) + vinegar (acetic acid)  sodium acetate + carbon dioxide + water
7. Write the chemical equation for the reaction of baking soda and vinegar using the chemical formulas. (See pp. 264-265.)
NaHCO3 (s) + HC2H3O2 (aq) NaC2H3O2 (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
8. What are the reactants? What are the products?
Reactants -- NaHCO3 (s) + HC2H3O2 (aq)
Products -- NaC2H3O2 (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
9. The molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance. Use your periodic table to calculate the molar mass of each reactant
and each product. (Refer to pp. 237-239 or your class notes on molar mass.)
Reactants: NaHCO3 = 84.01 g/mol &
HC2H3O2 = 60.06 g/mol
Products: NaC2H3O2 = 82.04 g/mol & CO2 = 44.01 g/mol & H2O = 18.01 g/mol