Group PictureGroup Picture(From left to right: Tyler Chagnon, Greg Stearns, Elon Martin)(From left to right: Tyler Chagnon, Greg Stearns, Elon Martin)

Reaction ChemistryReaction Chemistry

Equation:

Theoretical Predictions:

H2SO4+2NaHCO3Na2SO4+2CO2+2H2O

In order to produce enough carbon dioxide to propel the car the required twenty five feet, the reaction has to involve a calculated amount of sulfuric acid and sodium bicarbonate. Using the mass of baking soda used and the molarity of sulfuric acid, the volume of sulfuric acid that was needed could be calculated. The trend was that the volume of acid needed was half of the mass of baking soda in order for all of the acid to react. This left baking soda in excess in an attempt to reduce the amount of spew. According to the data gathered in this experiment, the car requires around seven milliliters of acid and 14g of baking soda to go twenty five feet.

Sample Calculation: 10g NaHCO3 /84g/mol = 0.119048mol 0.119048/2 = 0.059524mol H2SO4 0.059524/ 12Mol/L = 4.96 ml

Car DesignCar Design

Testing ResultsTesting Results

Data Plot

Grams baking soda

mL Sulfuric Acid

Distance (ft)

15.980 8 15’

11.907 7 30’ 9”

15.081 7 13’

14.988 7 40’+

6.026 4 10’ 9”

11.529 5 18’ 1”

12.984 6 19’

13.454 6 40’

ConclusionsConclusions

Performance: Re-design Ideas:

The car did not perform as expected due to a multitude of problems. The reaction paper holding the sodium bicarbonate would get stuck in the valve, so all previous data was irrelevant when the method for adding the baking soda was changed, the bottle had to be replaced several times due to a faulty cap, and the car was never consistent in its distances at any point. The distance the car moved differed greatly using the same amount of reactants. This is due to many factors including the method of release when opening the bottle and the amount of time the solution was allowed to react.

Take off front portion to reduce the weight of the car

Use different valve release system to eliminate the uncertainty of turning the cap by hand

Use a different method of combining the reactants in the bottle in order to avoid reaction before the cap can be put on securely