How do I contain Carbon dioxide when I combine sulfuric acid, sodium carbonate and calcium chloride?
If you are generating CO2 you don't need CaCl2. Only H2SO4 and Na2CO3 are needed. What do you mean contain? Do you want to collect it? One way is to displace air by allowing the CO2 to enter an open vessel (turned open side up) and since CO2 is heavier than air the CO2 will displace the air with the vessel being filled with CO2 and forcing air out the open end of the vessel. Another way, but you will need extra CO2 to do it, is to displace water. The only downside to this is that CO2 is soluble in water so you will lose some of it but after the water is saturated, the vessel will fill. If I have misinterpreted the question pleas clarify and repost.
I am trying to show that the combined weight of the reactants is equal to the combined weight of the reaction. When I placed CaCl2 into Na2 CO3 I didn't lose any weight. When I added Sulfuric Acid, I could not recork due to safety, therefore I lost Carbon Dioxide which reduced my weight. How can I safely contain the Carbon Dioxide to maintain the weight?
A response to this can be found at your other post.
To contain carbon dioxide (CO2) when combining sulfuric acid, sodium carbonate, and calcium chloride, you would need to equip your setup with appropriate laboratory glassware and follow specific procedures. Here is a step-by-step explanation of the process:
1. Gather the required materials:
- Sulfuric acid (H2SO4): a strong acid available in most chemistry supply stores.
- Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3): a white crystalline powder that can be obtained commercially.
- Calcium chloride (CaCl2): a readily available solid.
- Appropriate laboratory glassware: beakers, a reaction vessel with a stopper, tubing, and a gas collection apparatus.
2. Set up your apparatus:
- Fill a beaker or container with a known amount of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and place it on a heat-resistant surface.
- Attach a glass tube or tubing to the container's opening and connect it to a gas collection apparatus.
3. Prepare the reaction vessel:
- Take a reaction vessel, such as a round-bottom flask, and add a known quantity of sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
- Within the reaction vessel, introduce the solid calcium chloride (CaCl2), which will act as a drying agent to absorb moisture and prevent water vapor from interfering with the gas collection.
4. Assemble the setup:
- Connect the reaction vessel to the sodium carbonate beaker using the tubing. Ensure that the connection is airtight, either by using rubber stoppers or glass joints.
- Make sure the gas collection apparatus is suitable for capturing the carbon dioxide gas produced. Common methods include using a water displacement setup or a gas syringe.
5. Perform the reaction with care:
- Gradually add the sodium carbonate to the sulfuric acid in the reaction vessel. The reaction will produce carbon dioxide gas as one of the products.
- Since the reaction is exothermic, it is essential to keep the setup at a controlled temperature. Gentle heating or cooling may be required depending on the reaction conditions.
6. Collect the carbon dioxide gas:
- As carbon dioxide is produced, it will pass through the tubing and collect in the gas collection apparatus.
- Monitor the gas collection process, ensuring that the carbon dioxide is being captured efficiently.
Remember, it is vital to take necessary safety precautions while handling chemicals and operating laboratory equipment. Consider working under the supervision of an experienced chemist or in a properly equipped laboratory to avoid any accidents or mishaps.