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?
Why not balloon the flask instead of cork it?
Thank you!
I've never encountered this problem; however, here is a quick way although it may sound round about.
Tape to the inside of the container above the water line a small container of ascarite. That will absorb the CO2. There may be simpler ways but they don't come to mind quickly.
To safely contain the carbon dioxide (CO2) and maintain the overall weight, you can use a simple apparatus called a gas collection system. Here's how you can set it up:
1. Obtain a gas-collection bottle or container with tightly fitted stopper or cap. Ensure that it is capable of withstanding the pressure created by the carbon dioxide gas.
2. Connect one end of a rubber or plastic tube to the gas-collection bottle. Make sure there is a tight and secure connection.
3. Insert the other end of the tube into a container of water, such as a beaker or a flask filled with water.
4. Ensure that the immersed end of the tube is below the water level, creating an airtight seal.
5. Start the reaction by adding sulfuric acid to the mixture of calcium chloride (CaCl2) and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) in a suitable container, such as a flask.
6. As carbon dioxide gas is released from the reaction, it will travel up the tube and displace the water in the container.
7. The displaced water can be collected and measured to indirectly determine the amount of carbon dioxide produced. By doing so, you can account for the weight lost due to the release of carbon dioxide.
8. After the reaction is complete and no more gas is being produced, stopper the gas-collection bottle tightly to prevent any gas from escaping.
By implementing this gas collection system, you can safely contain the carbon dioxide gas and minimize any weight loss during the experiment.