IS1, B4
Endothermic and exothermic reactions
Background information:
An endothermic reaction is a product or a substance accompanied by the absorption of heat. An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases heat.
Design:
Research question-
Which reaction occurs, exothermic or endothermic, when Epson salt, Borax, Laundry detergent, and baking soda are added, separately, with water?
Hypothesis-
If Epson salt is mixed with water then the reaction will be endothermic because salt is used to melt ice.
If Borax is mixed with water then the reaction will be endothermic because it’s associated with heat and fire.
If laundry detergent is mixed with water, then the reaction will be exothermic because it’s used to clean clothes. For example, when I take my clothes out of the washer, the clothes are always cold.
If Baking Soda is mixed with water, the reaction will be endothermic because baking soda is a kind of substance that holds on to the heat.
Procedure
1. Pour 3 tbsp. of room temperature water into a Ziploc bag and seal the bag. This bag will serve as your control throughout the experiment.
2. Pour 1 tbsp. of room temperature water into four additional Ziploc bags. Make sure the outside of the bags are dry.
3. Add 2 tbsp. Epsom salt into the first Ziploc bag. Knead the bag gently to mix the components.
4. First feel the bag containing the water, then feel the bag with the mixture. Record your results in the data table.
5. Repeat the procedure with: Borax, laundry detergent (let this one sit for a few minutes before detecting a temperature change), Baking soda.
ata:
Substances mixed with water
Endothermic or Exothermic?
Epsom salt
Endothermic
Borax
Exothermic
Laundry detergent
Endothermic
Baking soda
Endothermic
Conclusion:
My Hypotheses on Epsom salt, and baking soda were correct. However, my hypotheses on Borax, and laundry detergent were incorrect.
This experiment really helped me answer my experimental question because now I have a