The purpose of this lab was to have students create gases in chemical reactions,
identify those gases, and write and balance the complete chemical equations for
the reactions. Gases produced were hydrogen (burns with a pop), carbon
dioxide (puts out a flame), and oxygen (relights a glowing splint). Carbon
dioxide was also collected in a syringe and measured. Stoichiometry was
used to calculate how much should have been produced, and percent error was
calculated. The three equations are below:
Zn + 2HCl --> H2 + ZnCl2
HC2H3O2 + NaHCO3 --> CO2 + H2O + NaC2H3O2
2H2O2 --> O2 + 2H2O (MnO2 catalyst)