1. OBJECTIVE
In this experiment, you will determine which of the hypotheses explains the thermal decomposition of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) through stoichiometry.


At the end of this experiment, you should be able to:

understand the basic concepts of stoichiometry;

understand stoichiometry calculations;

determine the reaction path using stoichiometry.

2. WHERE TO USE THESE CONCEPTS?
In chemistry, stoichiometry is used to determine the amount of reactants that should be used and the amount of products that will be obtained in chemical reactions.

In laboratories and chemical industries, stoichiometry is considered extremely important for determining the quantity of substances that will be produced in the chemical reactions carried out. For example, the profitability of industries is related to the knowledge of the amount of raw material that will be consumed in the manufacturing processes, as the aim is to obtain products with high reaction yield using the smallest possible quantity of reagents and at the lowest cost.


3. THE EXPERIMENT
This experiment was divided into five stages.

The first step is to weigh the sodium bicarbonate;

The second step is heating the solid;

The third step is weighing the cold material after heating;

The fourth step is the use of stoichiometry to calculate and determine the hypothesis that can explain the process;

The fifth step is calculating the yield of the process carried out in the laboratory.


4. SECURITY
In this practice, a lab coat, gloves and glasses will be used. Shoes must be closed, and hair must be tied up. These security items are essential to avoid direct contact with the solutions. Furthermore, it is important to carry out all steps inside the hood to avoid inhaling possible vapors released from the reaction.


5. SCENARIO
The experiment will be conducted in the chapel. The Bunsen burner, tripod and asbestos screen will be in the chapel. The scale, baking soda and spatula are on the right side of the chapel. The beaker, glass rod and watch glass are in the right cabinet below the chapel.