The Alka-Seltzer Reaction:
Purpose: Determine the mass of NaHCO3 in one Alka-Seltzer tablet.
Introduction: The reaction in the plop, plop, fizz, fizz is:
NaHCO3 + H3C6H5O7  Na3C6H5O7 + H2O+ CO2
First balance the equation. Good luck!
Procedure:
Find the mass of a beaker filled with some tap water and 1 Alka-Seltzer. Total mass of
the beaker, water and the Alka-Seltzer tablet. Do not place the Alka-Seltzer tablet in
the water.
Mass in grams: ______________
Next place the Alka-Seltzer tablet in beaker and gently swirl until tablet is dissolved.
Mass of the beaker with contents again.
Mass in grams: ______________
Questions:
1. How many moles of CO2 were lost?
2. How many molecules of CO2 were produced?
3. How many liters of CO2 at STP were generated?
4. How many liters of CO2 were generated at 25 C?
5. In a separate experiment radioactive 14C inserted into NaHCO3. . Carbon from
NaHCO3 was traced and is shown below and can be located by the asterisk.
NaHCO3 + H3C6H5O7  Na3C6H5O7 + H2O+ *CO2
A.
What is the source of CO2 in the Alka-Seltzer reaction?
B.
Based on your previous answer can we know how many moles of
NaHCO3 were used?
C.
Find the mass of NaHCO3 that was involved in generating CO2 ?