Volatile Situation Problem

Directions:  This work is to be done individually. Read the scenario and answer the 5 questions in complete sentences in a Word document.  Each student will turn in a hard copy.

Lisa’s younger sister, Hannah, is making a model of a volcano for her science class.  Lisa wonders if the gas produced during the reaction may be harmful to her. Hannah tells her she is using baking soda and vinegar, which seem like harmless reactants. Lisa knows from chemistry class that the products of a reaction are very different from the reactants.  She checks the labels on the containers to find the formulas for the compounds. The baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃).  The vinegar is a solution of acetic acid (HC₂H₃O₂).

1.        What type of reaction is most likely to occur
between these two compounds?

2.        What gases could possibly be produced from
these two reactants?

3.        Do you think the gases are harmful?

4.        How might you obtain further information about the products to know they are safe?

5.   What safety information should Lisa tell her sister to use while  he is actually doing his science fair project?