Chemical Reactions

• databot + temperature probe

• IOS/Android Smart Device

• Airtight container and
  glasswares

• Baking soda and vinegar

• Candle, matches or a lighter

Overview

Background

What You Will Need/Prep

• Test your databot™ connection.

• You will be prompted to select
  and connect to databot™ each
  time you launch an experiment.

• If there are two or more
  databot™'s listed, the one
  closest to your device will be
  highlighted.

• Study the background
  information and terms and
  prepare to explore!

Chemical Reactions

This engaging module introduces and explores
the concept of chemical reactions – creating a new
substance from two or more other substances. Let's
dive into some chemical fun that provides insight into
the invisible world of chemistry that surrounds us.

• Install Vizeey™ on your
  Smart device.

• Scan the QR code to load
  the experiment.

Grades: Middle School

Time: 45 Minutes

Subject: Physical Science

Topics: CO2, Chemical reaction,
Endothermic & Exothermic reactions,
Temperature, Humidity.

Chemical reactions are fascinating processes that
occur all around us, driving essential activities such as
burning fuel, digesting food, and creating new materials.
These transformations happen when substances
interact, resulting in the production of new substances
with different properties.

To identify whether a chemical reaction is taking place,
we can look for key indicators. Changes in color,
the presence of bubbles, temperature variations, and
even the emission of light or sound are clues that signal
a reaction is occurring. One common feature of
chemical reactions is a change in temperature, which
indicates energy transfer. Reactions that release energy
as heat are called exothermic, while reactions that
absorb energy from their surroundings are endothermic
(requiring energy). These changes occur because of
the breaking and forming of chemical bonds, which
rearranges atoms to form new substances.

A classic example of a chemical reaction is mixing
baking soda with vinegar. This reaction produces
carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), and sodium acetate
(CH₃COONa). Another everyday example is lighting a
candle. In this case, the wax, which is a hydrocarbon,
reacts with oxygen in the air during combustion.

Using a databot™, it's possible to monitor and visualize
the chemical changes occurring during these reactions.

Important Terms

Learning Objectives

In this exploration you learn, understand & recognize the following knowledge and skills:

• Visualize, collect and analyze data

• Measure and record CO2 level, temperature and humidity

• Understand Chemical Reactions

• Identify Signs of Chemical Reactions

• Explore energy changes in chemical reactions

• Type of reaction and changes that happen when vinegar is added to the baking soda.

• Analyze Combustion as a Chemical Reaction

Baking Soda: Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), is an alkaline salt and is one of the reactants
in the vinegar–baking soda reaction.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A colorless, odorless gas naturally present in the air you breathe and
is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis. CO2 is one of the products of the vinegar-baking
soda reaction comprised of 1 carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms.

Chemical Reaction: This occurs when substances combine to produce one or more new
substances.

Endothermic Reaction: A type of chemical reaction that requires energy to take place.
When this happens you will see a drop in temperature in your reactants.

Exothermic Reaction: A type of chemical reaction that produces energy. When this
happens you will see an increase in temperature.

Humidity(RH): The percentage of water vapor in the air you breathe. You will notice
humidity changes when you travel – for example, in the desert there is very low humidity
and by the sea, you will have high levels of humidity.

Parts per million - (ppm): Usually describes the concentration of something in air, water or
soil. The term ppm expresses the number of units (part) of a given substance that exists as
a portion of a greater substance comprised of one million parts.

Vinegar: A mixture of acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and water (H20) that is one of the reactants
in the baking soda - vinegar reaction.

This lab activity helps to observe and measure chemical
reactions under controlled conditions using a sealed
container and databot™. The activity will be conducted in
two parts: the reaction between baking soda and vinegar
and the combustion of a candle.

In order to work with the experiment you need to launch Vizeey application and click on + in
the upper right corner.

Then select “Add experiment from QR code” and scan the QR code prepared for this
experiment. Your experiment will appear in the list.

Press this button to start the experiment.

You are going to use the temperature probe, CO2
and humidity sensors in this exploration. Let’s test
to make sure everything is working properly!

• Measure your body temperature by holding the
  temperature probe tightly in the palm of your
  hand.

  • The temperature is measured in ℃
    (Celsius).

• Bring your databot closer to your mouth and
  breathe on databot, you will see the CO2 levels
  elevate as you exhale CO2.

  • The CO2 is measured in ppm (parts per
    million).

• When you exhale, the humidity will also
  change - we exhale water vapor also!

  • Relative Humidity is is measured in %; it
    compares the amount of water vapor in
    the air to the maximum amount the air can
    hold at a specific temperature.

Now that you have a good grasp of measurement,
clear your data using: and proceed to
the experiment.

When you start the experiment you will be immediately
offered to connect to your databot. Make sure that your
databot is turned on and the blue light is blinking.

Don’t forget to check that the temperature probe is
connected to the Temp 1 port.

Choose your experiment
here

Temperature Hypothesis:

Do you think there will be any change in temperature in mixture Baking Soda and Vinegar?
Predict the temperature will increase, decrease, or stay the same?

Prediction:

Baking Soda and Vinegar Reaction

Part 2: Hypothesis

Baking Soda and Vinegar Reaction

Burning Candle

Predict how the temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels will change when a candle burns in a
sealed container? Write your predictions or questions below.

Burning Candle

Before starting the experiment, prepare the necessary materials.
You will need:

• • databot with an attached temperature probe;

  • a sealed, airtight container;

  • a container like a beaker for the reaction to take place in;

  • baking soda and vinegar.

Set up your “experiment chamber”: an airtight container that
will capture the CO2 gas produced by the reaction.

Place databot into the container, then place the temperature
probe flat on the bottom of your reactant glassware so it will
be covered by the reaction.

• Turn on databot (using the small button on the left side).

Open the Vizeey app on your smart device.

• Tap on "Chemical Reactions" in Vizeey to load the experiment.

• You will be prompted to connect to databot.

• • Hint- if there is more than one databot in use, the one closest to you will be in blue!

  • A solid blue light on databot means you are connected.

• Choose the tab “Baking Soda” and start your experiment using:

• Use these icons at the top of the screen in Vizeey to start and to pause
  the experiment.

• Begin recording and note down the initial temperature and CO2 reading in the table.

• Measure 5 ml (1 tsp) of Baking Soda into your reactant glassware located in your
  chamber.

• Add 10 ml (2 tsp) of vinegar (acetic acid) to your reactant glassware. Seal the chamber
  and watch the data as the reaction takes place! Run the experiment for 60 seconds.

Data Collection Table

Baking Soda and Vinegar Reaction

• Light the candle and quickly seal the chamber. Watch
  the data as the candle burns.

  • The candle will use up some of the oxygen in the chamber
    and go out after a minute or two.

• Stop the recording when the candle goes out using .
  Write down the end levels from your data recording.

• Calculate the net change for CO2, Temperature, and
  Humidity.

• Open the Vizeey app and turn on databot.

• Tap on "Chemical Reactions" in Vizeey and choose the second part of experiment.

• Choose the tab “Candle in a Jar” and start your experiment using:

• Write down the starting levels for CO2, Temperature, and Humidity (RH).

Data Collection Table

Burning Candle

Important! Have supervision and permission for lighting candles and working with fire!

Before starting the experiment, prepare the necessary
materials. You will need:

• • databot with temperature probe;

  • a sealed container;

• • candle;

  • matches or a lighter.

Data Interpretation:

1. What did you observe happening in the container?

2. How did CO₂ levels and temperature change over time?

3. What evidence supports that a chemical reaction occurred?

Data Interpretation:

1. What happened to the flame in the sealed container?

2. How did CO₂ levels, temperature, and humidity change over time?

3. How does this demonstrate combustion as a chemical reaction?

Baking Soda and Vinegar Reaction

Burning Candle