Name __________________________________________________
Period ____________
The Great Balloon Race
Observe the setup at the front of the room. You will see 5 identical flasks containing 1.00 grams
of hydrochloric acid. Each balloon contains a certain amount of sodium bicarbonate as shown in
the chart below. When the balloons are lifted, the sodium bicarbonate will fall into the flask and
begin reacting with the hydrochloric acid, producing sodium chloride, water, and carbon dioxide
gas.
Balloon 1
Balloon 2
Balloon 3
Balloon 4
Balloon 5
1.0 gram
2.0 grams
3.0 grams
4.0 grams
5.0 grams
1. Write the balanced equation that represents the reaction that will take place.
2. Formulate a hypothesis on what you believe will happen to the balloons when the
reactants are combined.
3. Record observations.
4. Based on your observations, was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not?
5. Based on the balanced equation, what is the mole ratio between hydrochloric acid and
carbon dioxide? What is the mole ratio between sodium bicarbonate and carbon dioxide?
6. Using your knowledge of stoichiometry, what is one way that you could explain your
observations?
7. Calculate the mass of carbon dioxide that could be produced in Flask 1:
a. 1.0 gram of HCl
b. 1.0 gram of NaHCO3
8. Calculate the mass of carbon dioxide that could be produced in Flask 5:
a. 1.0 gram of HCl
b. 5.0 grams of NaHCO3
9. Which reactant causes the reaction to stop in Flask 1?
10. Which reactant causes the reaction to stop in Flask 5?
11. In your own words, define the following terms:
a. Limiting reactant:
b. Excess reactant: