Baking Soda Lab

5563 Words23 Pages
Background Information: Baking soda (NaHCO3) constitutes a compound that has numerous practical and economical uses. NaHCO3 is used in fire extinguishers, household cleaners, fruit cleaner, heavy duty dish cleanser, hand and face wash, tooth and denture cleaner, for cooking and for acid indigestion. The wondrous applicability of baking soda is that it can be created by using a number of methods. The Athenium Baking Soda Company has decided to make baking soda using the method of reacting crystalline ammonium hydrogen carbonate with brine, which is “salt water with a high concentration of sodium chloride, as well as potassium chloride, lithium chloride, and calcium chloride.” NH4HCO3(s) + NaCl(aq) NaHCO3(aq) + NH4Cl(aq) Ammonium hydrogen carbonate + Brine Baking soda + Ammonium chloride When the baking soda is dried and filtered, there may be contaminants present in the residue, such as KCl, LiCl, and CaCl2. To analyze the purity composition in their baking soda, as well as the quality of workmanship, structural flaws, composition, and longevity, the Athenium Baking Soda Company has hired our team. In this experiment, we will determine if any KCl, LiCl, or CaCl2 contaminants are present in the sample of Athenium Baking Soda using emission spectra and calculations to determine percent composition. Skills of titration, emission spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis will be utilized in conducting this quality control procedure for the company; therefore, providing the utmost correct purity composition of the baking soda. Emission spectra will be conducted in order to determine which contaminants are present in the baking soda sample. The splatter method will be used for all of the 0.1 M (calcium, potassium, lithium) chloride solutions as well as the baking soda sample solution. By collecting this data, we will be able to determine which
Open Document