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Conservation Lab

The document outlines a lab experiment focused on the law of conservation of mass, comparing open and closed systems using reactions involving baking soda and vinegar, as well as water and an effervescent tablet. It includes detailed procedures for measuring mass changes in both systems and analyzing the chemical reactions involved. Students are prompted to consider the implications of their findings on the conservation of mass principle.

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Wilford Brimley
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5 views

Conservation Lab

The document outlines a lab experiment focused on the law of conservation of mass, comparing open and closed systems using reactions involving baking soda and vinegar, as well as water and an effervescent tablet. It includes detailed procedures for measuring mass changes in both systems and analyzing the chemical reactions involved. Students are prompted to consider the implications of their findings on the conservation of mass principle.

Uploaded by

Wilford Brimley
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name:

Period:

Conservation of Mass Lab


1. What is the law of conservation of mass? Why is it hard to prove this law when a gas is produced?

2. What is the difference between an “open” system and a “closed” system?

3. Predict which type of system will show conservation of mass when a gas is produced.

Reaction #1: Baking Soda & Vinegar


Materials: 2 beakers or cups, balance, vinegar, baking soda, plastic bag Reaction 1: Open System
Part 1: Open System, Baking Soda & Vinegar
Starting mass: ___________ g
1. Set the balance to 0.
(Electronic balances always have a tare or “rezero” button to reset them.)
Ending mass: ____________ g
2. Fill a cup with 20. mL of vinegar.
3. Add one spoonful of baking soda into the second cup. Amount Changed: ________ g
4. Place both cups on the balance & record the starting mass.
5. Dump the baking soda into the cup. Do not stir.
6. Place the empty cup back on the balance. Record the ending mass, including both cups.
7. Calculate the amount the mass changed.
8. Clean & dry both cups.
Reaction 1: Closed System
Part 2: Closed System, Baking Soda & Vinegar
Starting mass: ___________ g
1. Fill a clean cup with 20. mL of vinegar.
2. Add one spoonful of baking soda to a weighing boat in a clean plastic bag.
Ending mass: ____________ g
3. Gently place the cup with vinegar inside the plastic bag.
Do NOT spill the vinegar! Amount Changed: ________ g
4. Try to push all air out of the bag. Seal the bag & place it on the balance
without spilling the vinegar.
5. Record the starting mass.
6. Without opening the bag, tip the cup to mixing the vinegar with the baking soda in the weighing boat.
7. Still without opening the bag, record the ending mass of the contents of the plastic bag.
8. Calculate the amount the mass changed.

Analysis, Reaction #1:


4. Give the chemical formula for each of the reactants & products of this reaction. (You can look these up if necessary.)

a. The reactants are vinegar:____________________ & baking soda: ____________________.

b. The products are water: __________, carbon dioxide: ________, & sodium acetate: ___NaCH3COO___.

5. Compare part 1, the open system, to part 2, the closed system. What was the same? What was different?

6. How does the conservation of mass relate to this activity?

Unit 1: Matter & ChangeLPHSChem.com:Wz


Reaction #2: Water & Effervescent Tablet
Materials: 1 Erlenmeyer flask, balance, water, 1 effervescent tablet, balloon,
Part 1: Open System, Water & Effervescent Tablet Reaction 2: Open System
1. Always check to confirm that the balanced is tared before making mass
measurements. Starting mass: ___________ g
2. Add 50. mL of water to a clean Erlenmeyer flask.
3. Place the flask and half an effervescent tablet on the balance and record the Ending mass: ____________ g
total starting mass.
4. Place the tablet into the flask of water. Swirl the flask for three minutes. Amount Changed: ________ g
5. Record the final mass when the reaction is complete.
6. Calculate the amount the mass changed.

Part 2: Closed System, Water & Effervescent Tablet


1. Thoroughly rinse out the flask before adding 50. mL of water.
2. Place half an effervescent tablet in a balloon. (You may need to break the tablet.) Reaction 2: Closed System
3. Place the balloon around the rim of the flask, but do not let the tablet fall into
the water. Starting mass: ___________ g
4. Find measure and record the starting mass of the flask and
balloon-with-tablet. Ending mass: ____________ g
5. Lift the balloon, causing the tablet to fall into the water.
Amount Changed: ________ g
6. Swirl the flask for three minutes. (Make sure the balloon stays attached.)
7. Record the final mass when the reaction is complete.
8. Calculate the amount the mass changed.

Analysis, Reaction #2:


As you probably know, scientists write chemical reactions like mathematical formulas. The reactants (starting compounds)
are on the left of the arrow & the products (final compounds) are on the right of the arrow.
Reactants → Products
The effervescent tablet contains a chemical called sodium bicarbonate (baking soda!). This chemical reacts with water
according to the following reaction:
H2O + NaHCO3 → NaOH + CO2 + H2O

7. Count the number of each element on each side of the equation, and record your results below. (E.g., there are three
hydrogens on the reactant (left) side of this reaction—two in the H2O plus one in the NaHCO3.)

8. Is this reaction “balanced”? Explain.

9. Compare your results from part 1 of this reaction (the open system), to part 2 (the closed system). What did you
notice?

10. How do your results for this reaction compare to the prediction you made in question 3 on the front side of the
paper?

Unit 1: Matter & ChangeLPHSChem.com:Wz

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