Summary

In the demonstration the teacher will perform a reaction between water and Alka-Seltzer in order to generate carbon dioxide gas. Students will observe the chemical reaction while timing the release of carbon dioxide and observing 3 states of matter. This will be repeated 3 times, each time increasing the number of tablets used.

Grade Level

Elementary School

NGSS Alignment

This demonstration will help prepare your students to meet the performance expectations in the following standards:

• 5-PS1-4: Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.
• Scientific and Engineering Practices:
  • Analyzing and Interpreting Data
  • Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Objectives

By the end of this demonstration, students should be able to

• Identify 3 states of matter.
• Explain the meaning of a chemical reaction.
• Collect and organize data.
• Draw conclusions based upon results.

Chemistry Topics

This demonstration supports the students’ understanding of:

• Chemical reactions
• Chemical change
• Reaction Rate
• States of matter

Time

Teacher Preparation: 10 minutes

Lesson: 30 minutes

Materials

• Small bottle
• Clay
• Aquarium tubing
• Small jar
• Stop watch
• 2 tablets Alka-Seltzer
• ½ cup Water
• Food coloring (optional)

Safety

• Students should wear proper safety gear during chemistry demonstrations. Safety goggles and lab apron are required.
• Students should wash their hands thoroughly before leaving the lab.

• Do not consume lab solutions, even if they’re otherwise edible products.

Teacher Notes

• Prior to the demonstration students will have had prior instruction and experience with mixtures and solutions.
• Understanding the reaction: Alka-Seltzer contains a dry acid and baking soda. When these substances combine with the water, carbon dioxide gas is formed. The gas travels through the tube to form bubbles in the jar of water. When all of the material has reacted the bubbling will stop.
  
  
• As a teacher demonstration, incorporate the help of the students when able. For example, choose one student to use a timer, and inform them of when to start and stop timing (1^st sight of air bubbles to the last).
  
• Another option is to have students conduct this lab in small groups with your direction.
  
  
• Students should record data on their student sheet.
  
  
• Use of a document camera may assist students to see more closely from a distance.
  
  
• Practice quickly securing the clay and tube to the bottle to minimize the amount of gas escaping the bottle.
  
  
• Expected results: An increase in tablets increases the amount of carbon dioxide produced resulting in a longer reaction time of producing bubbles.
  
  
• Optional: For effect you may use food coloring. I used blue in one container and yellow in the other. As the gas passes through the two colors mixed to form green, shown in the photo below.
  
• Different angles of the carbon dioxide produced in the tall bottle and passing through the tube into the smaller container where bubbles become visible are shown in the photos below.
  

Demonstration Procedure

1. Add water to the small bottle until it is half filled. (it is optional to add food coloring).
2. Place clay around the tubing about 2 inches from one end.
3. Add water to the jar until it is half filled.
4. Place the free end of the tube in the jar of water (it is optional to add food coloring).
5. Break 2 Alka-Seltzer tablets and drop them into the small bottle of water.
6. Quickly insert the tube and secure the opening with clay.
7. Watch the jar of water to see if there is bubbling. Ask students to record observations and the time from the start of bubbling to the end.
8. Repeat steps 1-7 increasing the number of tablets used.