THE DECOMPOSITION OF SODIUM BICARBONATE

I. Introduction
A. Principle
Decomposition is a reaction in which compounds are broken down into two or
more simpler components, either an element or compound. One type of decomposition is
thermolysis. Thermolysis is the decomposition of compounds through the use of heat. The
process is endothermic, requiring the substance to reach a certain temperature before it
decomposes.
In this experiment, we are going to decompose sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) through
heating, yielding water, a gas and a solid. We will also need to establish the identity of the gas
and the solid through some tests, keeping in mind that the solids possible identity is only one of
these: NaOH, Na2CO3, Na2O.

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

Determine the identity of a gas and a solid using different chemical tests
Keenly observe indicators that would lead to the identification of the gas and solid
Make proper interpretations of different data
Write the chemical equation involved in the experiment
Develop other certain laboratory techniques like heating, weighing, recording, and
interpreting results

II. Materials
A. Reagents
Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3)

Calcium Hydroxide saturated solution

Hydrochloric acid solution (HCl)

Ethanol (C2H5OH)

B. Apparatus
250-mL beaker

stirring rod

cork stopper with rubber tubing

bunsen burner

test tubes

dropper

iron ring

test tube rack

iron stand

top loading balance

III. Schematic diagram of the procedure

A. Decompositon of sodium bicarbonate
Weigh a clean, dry, empty 250-mL beaker.

Record data in Table 1.2

Weigh about 1.0 g of pure sodium
bicarbonate on a top loading balance using
a paper box. Describe the substance.
Record data in Table 1.1 and 1.2
Weigh first the beaker and stirring rod
together. Transfer the NaHCO3 to the
beaker and weigh them all again.
Record data in Table 1.2
Under the bunsen burner, heat the mixture
for 15 minutes with occasional stirring of
the solid. Describe the substance during and
after the heating.
Record data in Table 1.1
Cool the mixture to room temperature and
weigh. Repeat the heating, cool, and weigh
again until 2 successive masses of the
mixture are within 0.009g of each other.
Record data in Table 1.2

C. Determination of the solid substance

Using the solid that remained from

the previous experiments. Transfer
them equally to 3 different test
tubes.

Add ethanol to the solid.

Na2CO3 should not dissolve in
ethanol. Indicate the result

Add ethanol to the solid.

Na2O should not dissolve in
ethanol. Indicate the result.

Record data in Table 1.4

Add HCl to the mixture w/ a
dropper. The mixture should
effervesce and produce CO2
gas. Indicate the result.

Add ethanol to the solid.

NaOH should dissolve in
ethanol. Indicate the result.

Record data in Table 1.4

Add HCl to the mixture w/ a

dropper. The mixture should
not effervesce and would only
produce NaCl and H2O.
Indicate the result.

Record data in Table 1.4

Record data in Table 1.4

Record data in Table 1.4

Identify the identity of the
substance based from the
observations made.

IV. Data and Observations

A. Decomposition of sodium bicarbonate
Table 1.1 Observation of the sodium bicarbonate
NaHCO3
Before heating

Observations
Mass(g)

During
Mass ofheating
beaker
Mass heating
of NaHCO3
After
Mass of beaker and stirring rod
Mass of NaHCO3, beaker, and
rod before heating
Mass of
before and

Table 1.2
NaHCO3
after heating

Mixtures after heating

B. Determination of the unknown gas

Table 1.3 Observations at the reaction
Observation
NaHCO3 before heating
NaHCO3 during heating
NaHCO3 after heating
Sides of the test tube

C.

Ca(OH)2 before heating

Na2CO3
Ca(OH)2 during heating
Did it dissolve in
Identity of the gas:
ethanol?
Did it produce a
gas and
effervesced upon
addition of HCl?
Did it produce salt
and H2O?
Identity of the solid substance:

Determination of the solid substance

Table 1.4 Identity of the Solid Substance

Na2O

NaOH

B. Determination of the unknown gas

Weigh about 1.0g of baking soda in a

balance using a paper box and place it in a
test tube. Describe the substance.
Record data in Table 1.3
Attach a cork stopper with a rubber tubing
on the test tube and lead the tubing to a
beaker containing saturated solution of
calcium hydroxide. Describe the solution.
Record data in Table 1.3
Heat the test tube in a strong flame using a
bunsen burner. Describe the substance
during the heating.
Record data in Table 1.3

Also observe the sides of the test tube and

what happens to the Ca(OH)2, keeping in
mind that the solution turns milky when
subjected to CO2 gas. Describe the solid
after heating.
Record data in Table 1.3
Identify the identity of the unknown gas.
Record data in Table 1.3