Mass – Mass, Percent Yield in a Chemical Reaction Lab

Objectives
To calculate the number of grams of reactant used and theorital an actual yield of products produced in a
chemical reaction.
To investigate mass and mole relationships in reactants and products of a reaction.
Calculate % yield.

Introduction
In this experiment, you will measure the mass of the solid reactant, NaHCO3 and that of the solid
product, NaCl. The determination of these masses will enable you to determine their relative number of
moles. As a result of your observations and calculations, you will determine the mass and mole relationships
—the reacting ratios—of the solid reactant and product. Review Chapter 8 and Chapter 9 for additional
information.
The ratios of masses and moles are important in kitchen chemistry also. In some recipes, baking
soda, NaHCO3, is used to cause a cake to “rise”. When a weak acid such as sour cream, or buttermilk, or
lemon juice is added to the baking soda, bubbles of carbon dioxide are produced.

HA + NaHCO3  H2O + CO2 + NaA

Weak sodium
Acid bicarbonate

HCl + NaHCO3  H2O + CO2 + NaCl

This release of gas is what causes cake to increase in size. However, Because baking soda tastes bitter and
acids taste sour, it is important to add them close to their reacting ratio so they will neutralize each other.
This results in cakes and cookies that are neither bitter nor sour.

Safety
Take the necessary precautions before beginning this experiment. Always wear your safety goggles, and
aprons, may also be worn. Read all safety cautions in your procedures and discuss them with your teacher. It
is important to use good safety techniques while conducting experiments. Disposal of all material from this
lab may be put in trashcan or rinsed down the sink with plenty of water.

Materials and equipment

Balance, centigram wire gauze, ceramic-centered
Iron ring spatula or glass stirring rod
Graduated cylinder, 25-mL ring stand
Burner and tubing eye dropper
Evaporating dish sparker
Tongs (note rubber coated ones may melt) Sodium hydrogen carbonate
Hydrochloric acid, 3M

Recording Your Observations

After completing each procedure, record your observation in the Data table at the end of the procedures.

Procedures
1. Place an evaporating dish on top of a watch glass. Measure the mass of the dry evaporating dish and the
dry watch glass. Record this mass in your data table.

2. Add 2-3 grams of sodium hydrogen carbonate to the evaporating dish. Measure the mass of the sodium
hydrogen carbonate, evaporating dish, and watch glass. Record this mass in your data table.
3. Slowly add about 10mL of hydrochloric acid to the sodium hydrogen carbonate in the evaporating dish.
Then carefully add hydrochloric acid from the medicine dropper until the bubbling stops. Caution:
Hydrochloric acid is caustic and corrosive. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid breathing
vapors. Make certain that you wear safety goggles when working with acids. If any acid should
spill on you, immediately flush the area with water and then notify the teacher.
4. Place the evaporating dish on the ceramic-centered wire gauze that has been placed on the iron ring
attached to the ring stand. Place the watch glass on the top of the dish so steam can escape. See diagram
5. Gently heat the evaporating dish until only a dry solid remains. Make sure no water droplets remain on
the underside of the watch glass. Caution: Before you light the burner, check to see that long hair
and loose clothing has been confined. Remember to allow all apparatus to cool before you handle
it again.
6. Turn off the gas burner. Allow the apparatus to cool for 5 to 10 min, or until it can be picked up or
touched. Determine and record the mass of the dish, residue, and the watch glass in your data table.
7. If the time permits, reheat the evaporating dish and contents for two minutes, and repeat step #5

8. Rinse the residue down the sink. Wash your hands and check to see that the gas valve is turned off
before leaving the laboratory. You may leave the ring stand set up for the next class to use if it is still hot.

Data Table
Value Calculation
A) Mass of empty dry dish and
Measured
glass
B) Mass of dish, glass, and
NaHCO3 Measured

C) Mass of reactant, NaHCO3

D) Mass of dish, glass and dry

Measured
product (NaCl) after 1st heating.
E) Mass of dry product, NaCl
Actual Yield
F) Write the balanced equation

G) Using the mass of the reactant and the balanced equation do a mass – mass calculation and
determine the theoretical yield (how much can be produced) of NaCl (show work)

H) Calculate the percent yield

of NaCl

1. What were the bubbles given off?

2. Why did you have to add more acid until bubbling stopped?
3. If you or anyone got more than 100% yield a mistake was made, explain what you think may be the
cause of this.