Torpedoes & Stoichiometry by Ally

This week, we were asked to take a pipette that holds 20 grams of a substance, then figure out the chemical equation of the reaction between vinegar and baking soda, balance it out, and then find the ratio of how many parts are needed of the vinegar and baking soda.

We were asked to create a concoction between baking soda and vinegar that will make the pipette torpedo fly the fastest and farthest. After several days of testing, we were assigned to write a report on what we found, what we would do different, and different questions about the experiment.

The lesson affiliated with this project is stoichiometry, limiting reactants, and excess reactants. Stoichiometry is when you are using and finding relationships between reactants in a chemical reaction to determine data. This is seen through the reaction between vinegar and baking soda. The limiting reactant is the reactant that limits the product that is created by the reaction. In this case, it is the baking soda. The excess reactant is what remains when a reaction stops when the limiting reactant is completely consumed. This was found to be the vinegar.

Interesting Facts -

1.     Stoichiometry is made out of two Greek words: stoicheion (meaning "element") and metron (meaning "measure")

2.    When dealing with stoichiometry, the measurement of grams can be changed into moles.

3.    When you are find the percent yield of stoichiometry, it is simply the actual amount of product made divided by the estimation.

Questions -

1.     What is the perfect amount of baking soda and vinegar?

2.    How could percent yield be used in this experiment?

3.    How easy would it be to change the container of the reaction?

*Note from Ms. Raino- the pictures shown are not from my own students. Stay tuned for an update about our torpedo launch!