In: Chemistry
Step 1: In separate small plastic bags or cups, combine various amounts of baking soda with a small fixed amount (such as 1/4 cup) of tepid water (noting its initial temperature with the thermometer if available), kneading or stirring the contents to mix, noting the temperature again and rinsing out each bag or cup after each trial. Record your observations in a tabular format. Does a temperature change accompany the dissolving process and is it affected by the amount of solid used? Why is it important to use a fixed amount of water?
Step 2 : Repeat Step 1 using powdered “ultra” laundry detergent in place of baking soda. Are the observations with the second solid the same as for the first? What can be concluded from the changes that accompany the dissolving process with respect to the identity of a solid?
Step 3 : Repeat Step 1 using one or more of the additional solids listed in the Materials section. Do your data from this step alter your conclusions about the changes that accompany the dissolving process with respect to the amount of solid and/or the identity of solid?
Step 4 : The thermometer could be used to collect more quantitative data for the dissolving process. Discuss external factors, such as the initial temperature of the water, that might introduce error.
Does a temperature change occur when common household substances dissolve in water?