A Dramatic Classroom Demonstration of Limiting Reagent Using the Vinegar and Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate Reaction

Romklao Artdej
Institute for Innovation and Development of Learning Process, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 10400
Tienthong Thongpanchang
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 10400
Stacy DeWees Hovede
Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
J. Chem. Educ., 2008, 85 (10), p 1382
DOI: 10.1021/ed085p1382
Publication Date (Web): October 1, 2008
History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

This demonstration is designed to illustrate the concept of limiting reagent in a spectacular way. Via a series of experiments where the amount of vinegar is fixed and the amount of NaHCO3 is gradually increased, the volume of CO2 generated from the reaction varies corresponding to the amount of NaHCO3 until it reaches the point where the CO2 volume remains constant no matter how much NaHCO3 is used. The observation clearly leads to the conclusion that before the equivalence point, NaHCO3 is the limiting reagent and vinegar becomes the limiting reagent afterwards. This demonstration is appropriate for introductory high school chemistry level and recommended for a large classroom presentation.

Keywords (Audience):

High School / Introductory Chemistry

Keywords (Domain):

Demonstrations

Keywords (Feature):

JCE DigiDemos: Tested Demonstrations

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Acids / Bases
View: Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links

Tools

SciFinder Links

SciFinder subscribers: Click to sign in | Not a SciFinder subscriber? Learn more at www.cas.org

Explore by:

History

  • Received: August 03, 2009

Recommend & Share

  • Share on ACS NetworkACS Network
  • Add to FacebookFacebook
  • Tweet ThisTweet This
  • Add to CiteULikeCiteULike
  • Add to NewsvineNewsvine
  • Digg ThisDigg This
  • Add to DeliciousDelicious

Related Content