Activity 2 – Experiment: Acids and Carbonates in an
enclosed space
Aim: to investigate the reaction of acid and carbonates in an enclosed space.
This experiment consists of TWO parts.
Part A – Acid and Carbonate Exploding Sandwich bag
Materials
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1 x medium sandwich snap lock bag
1 x tissue paper
4 teaspoons x bicarb soda (sodium
hydrogen carbonate)
125 mL vinegar
Sink or large bucket
Method
1.
Collect a piece of tissue paper and lay this flat on the table surface.
2.
Place 4 LEVEL teaspoons of bicarb soda into the centre of the tissue and fold the tissue up to
create a small present package by folding in the sides. Do not fold or wrap the bicarb soda too
tightly.
3.
Leave this little parcel on the side whilst you prepare the vinegar package.
4.
Collect the medium snap lock bag and place it with the top open upwards inside a large beaker.
5.
Measure out 125mL of vinegar and add this into the snap lock bag. Zip close the bag half way.
6.
Take the little parcel of bicarb soda and place this inside the top of the bag holding onto the
parcel form the outside so that the parcel DOES NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE VINEGAR.
7.
Close and seal the snap lock bag keeping the bicarb soda parcel and vinegar separate.
8.
Once you have checked the bag is completely sealed, allow the bicarb package to drop into the
vinegar.
9.
Hold this bag over a sink or large bucket and wait for a reaction to occur.
Results:
1. What did you observe when the bicarb soda was allowed to make contact with the vinegar?
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2. Why did the bag explode?
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3. What gas was being produced? ______________________________________________________
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