Name____________________

Date______ Period________

Alka-Seltzer Lab EFFECT of TEMPERATURE on RATE OF REACTION

In order for a chemical reaction to occur, the particles, atoms or ions — which are reactants — must physically
come into contact with one another. In this experiment, you will answer the fundamental question: In which
environment will Alka-Seltzer dissolve the quickest. Anything that increases the frequency of these encounters
will increase the rate at which products are formed.

Write your hypothesis and explanation below:

Problem Statement:

In which Environment will Alka-Seltzer dissolve the quickest? Hot water, room temperature water, cold water?
Hypothesis: I predict _______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Materials:
 3 original formula effervescent Alka-Seltzer tablets
 6 Clear cups  Stopwatch (from your phone)
 Graduated Cylinder  Mortar and pestle
 Thermometer  Source of hot water
 Graph paper  Ice cubes

PROCEDURE Part A. Hot Water

1.Run water from the hot tap until it is as hot as possible. Fill a clear glass with exactly 8 oz./240 mL of hot water.

2.Use the thermometer to take the temperature and record it on your data sheet.

3.Remove 1 Alka-Seltzer tablet from its package. Drop it into water. Measure the time required for tablet to fully
dissolve. Be prepared to start and stop on time. The reaction will take less than 15 seconds. Record the time.

Part B. Room Temperature Water

1.Fill a clear glass with exactly 8 oz./240 mL of room temperature or lukewarm water.
2.Use the thermometer to take the temperature and record it on your data sheet.
3.Drop 1 Alka-Seltzer tablet into the water. Measure the time required for the reaction to be completed. Record the
time.
 Name____________________

Date______ Period________
Part C. Cold Water

1.Fill a clear glass with 4 oz./120 mL of water and add enough ice to adjust the level to 8 oz./240 mL.
Stir the ice water for about 15 seconds so the temperature will come to equilibrium.
2.Use the thermometer to take the temperature and record it on your data sheet. (Leave the ice cubes in the water!)
3.Drop 1 Alka-Seltzer tablet into the water. Measure the time required for the reaction to be completed. Record the
time.

Data -Trial 1 (Alka-Setzer uncrushed)

Type of Water Temperature Measured Time (s)
Hot Water
Room Temperature
Cold Water

DATA-TRIAL 2 (ALKA-SELTZER CRUSHED)

TYPE OF WATER TEMPERATURE MEASURED TIME (S)

HOT WATER

ROOM TEMPERATURE

COLD WATER

CONCLUSION: ANSWER THESE QUESTION IN A PARAGRAPH FORM WITH ATLEAST 8 SENTENCES

Questions for Analysis:

1. What is the independent variable? (plot it on the x-axis)
2. What I the dependent variable? (plot it on the y-axis)
3. What are the controls? Hint: There are 2
4. Did the Alka-Seltzer dissolve any faster in different temperatures of water? Why?
5. Does the Alka seltzer has any different properties in different temperatures of water
6. Does it change color during the experiment?
7. Reflect on your experiment: did it turn out well?
8. What can you conclude from this experiment? Was your hypothesis confirmed? Why or Why not
Graph: Graph the results of your data onto a line graph with temperature on the y-axis and time (s) on the x-axis