Marc Francis B. Olivares Tr.

Tina

iii-Mirabello July
10, 09

PHOSPHATES IN COLA SOFT DRINKS

I. Objectives
– This experiment enables us to determine wether the phosphates
in cola are really present all the time. Having this knowledge
make us more interested in studying matters like this.

II. Theory and Principle

– Based on some researches I come up with a good hypothesis on
how this experiment will work. A 0.3g of sodium phosphate will
be placed on a test tube and to be added with ¼ of cola. Put a
piece of litmus paper into the test tube. Then add a hydrochloric
acid drop by drop until the solution becomes neutral. Add a
dropper full of magnesia. Observe carefully. A white precipitate
confirms the presence of phosphate. That was based on my
researches. Let’s see if it’ll work then.

III. Materials
– Cola soft drink samples -pH paper or litmus
paper
– Sodium phosphate -1.0 M. hydrochloric
acid
– Magnesia mix -medicine dropper
– Test tubes - triple beam
balance
– Distilled water

IV. Diagram of Experimental Set-up

Place 0.3g of sodium phosphate in a test tube. Fill the tube ¼ of cola and
shake until dissolves.

Wet a piece of pH paper or litmus paper with the solution. It should be

basic.

Add a hydrochloric acid drop by drop until the solution becomes neutral.

Add a dropper full of magnesia mix to the test tube.

Observe carefully. A white precipitate confirms the presence of phosphate.

V. Procedure
– A 0.3g of sodium phosphate was placed in a test tube and filled with ¼
of cola and mixed thoroughly. A litmus paper was mixed with the
solution. Added with the drop by drop of hydrochloric made the
solution neutral. Then added by a dropper full of magnesia mix to the
test tube. Observed carefully we finally see a white precipitated down.

VI. Data

Samples Na3PO4
Sprite Zero ✔
Diet 7up ✔
Root Beer ✔
Pepsi Max ✔
Royal ✔
Coke Zero ✔
Sprite ✔
Mountain Dew ✔
Coke Light 
Sarsi ✔
Pepsi 

VII. Analysis
– All the group attained the goal for the experiment but unfortunately 2
of them did not. We are one of them.