1. Lab: Limiting Reactants

2. Prelab
Define:
Limiting Reactant:
Excess Reactant:
Write the balanced equation for the reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (actetic acid or hydrogen acetate).

3. Objective
To determine the limiting reactant in an experiment with sodium bicarbonate and vinegar.

4. Lab Safety
Skip at least 8 lines

5. Procedure Add 5.0 mL of vinegar to a Erlenmeyer flask.
Obtain a balloon and add the specified amount of baking soda.
Carefully stretch the balloon over the mouth of the Erlenmeyer flask without mixing the contents.
Work in assigned groups. All at once, mix the baking soda and vinegar together.
Make observations and determine which is the limiting reactant and which is the excess reactant in each Erlenmeyer flask.

6. Data: Draw a picture showing the end result in each Erlenmeyer flask.
Amount NaHCO3
0.25 g
0.50 g
1.00 g
2.00 g
3.00 g
Amount Vinegar
5.0 mL
Drawing
Limiting Reactant

7. Calculations:
If there are moles of acetic acid, what is the maximum amount (g) of sodium bicarbonate that can react?
How much more baking soda can be added to Erlenmeyer flask 1? Erlenmeyer flask 2?
How much excess baking soda is in Erlenmeyer flask 4? Erlenmeyer flask 5?

8. Conclusion
In Erlenmeyer flask 1, the limiting reactant is ____________.
In Erlenmeyer flask 2, the limiting reactant is ____________.
In Erlenmeyer flask 3, the limiting reactant is ____________.
In Erlenmeyer flask 4, the limiting reactant is ____________.
In Erlenmeyer flask 5, the limiting reactant is ____________.