why does the experiment not determine the activation energy for the reaction of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate? discuss what might interfer with this determination.
Why does the experiment not determine the activation energy for the reaction of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate?
Answer:
The experiment of placing Alka-Seltzer tablets in water with different temperatures and measuring the volume of carbon dioxide produced cannot determine the activation energy for the reaction of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. This is because the experiment does not measure the reaction rate at different temperatures.
Interference in Determining Activation Energy:
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Incomplete Data: The experiment only measures the volume of carbon dioxide produced at different temperatures, which is not sufficient to determine the activation energy. Activation energy is a measure of how much energy is needed for a reaction to occur. In order to determine the activation energy, the experiment should also measure the reaction rate at different temperatures.
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Other Factors Affecting the Reaction Rate: There might be other factors that influence the reaction rate of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate besides temperature. Factors such as concentration, surface area, and catalysts can affect the reaction rate. Without controlling and measuring these factors, it is difficult to solely attribute the change in reaction rate to temperature.
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Complex Reaction Mechanism: The actual reaction between citric acid and sodium bicarbonate may have a more complex mechanism than what can be captured by the simple experiment. The reaction could involve multiple steps and intermediates, and the experiment cannot provide insight into the specific steps involved in the reaction process.
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Experimental Limitations: The experiment setup itself may have limitations that prevent accurate measurement of the reaction rate and activation energy. Variations in the tablet size, dissolution rate, or gas measurement can introduce errors in the data. Additionally, the reaction may not reach completion within the time frame of the experiment, leading to incomplete data.
To accurately determine the activation energy for the reaction of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate, more detailed and controlled experiments are needed. These experiments should measure the reaction rate at different temperatures and take into account other variables that can influence the reaction. Only through comprehensive studies can the activation energy for this reaction be accurately determined.