Question

Complete Table G to view the effect of surface area on the rate of reaction by transferring your data from Tables D and E to Table G.
Which form of the sodium bicarbonate tablet dissolves the fastest?

Answer 1

Answer:

The crushed tablet dissolves fastest among the three forms.

Explanation:

The experiment is aimed at determining the effect of surface area of reactants on reaction rate.

Sodium bicarbonate tablets are provided and divided into three groups of consisting of three trials each. The temperature of the water is kept constant at 20°C. The first group consists of three tablets of sodium bicarbonate dissolved in individual trials in water. The second group consists of three quarter tablets of sodium bicarbonate dissolved in individual trials in water. The third group consists of three crushed tablets of sodium bicarbonate dissolved in individual trials in water.

The results shows that the average time for the dissolution of the first group is 51 seconds; the second group is 42 seconds while the third group is 17 seconds.

Therefore, it can be concluded that increasing the surface area of reactants increases the rate of reaction. This is because more reactant molecules are exposed for dissolution by water with increase in surface area.