1. A student mixes baking soda and vinegar in a glass. The results are a bubbly chemical reaction. Do you think any new substances are being created in this mixture? If so, how do you know? 2. Suppose this was done on top of a balance. Do you think the mass would change as the reaction proceeded? 3. What do you think would happen to the mass if the reaction took place inside a sealed plastic bag?

Answer

The bubbly reaction creates a new substance, carbon dioxide gas. As the reaction proceeds, the mass would increase due to the formation and release of carbon dioxide gas. If the reaction took place inside a sealed plastic bag, the mass of the bag would increase due to the formation and accumulation of carbon dioxide gas.

Q: Are any new substances being created in this mixture? A: Yes, a new substance is being created in this mixture, which is carbon dioxide gas. The bubbly appearance of the reaction is due to the formation of carbon dioxide gas bubbles.
Q: Do you think the mass would change as the reaction proceeded? A: Yes, the mass would change as the reaction proceeds because of the formation and release of carbon dioxide gas, which would increase the overall mass after the reaction.
Q: What do you think would happen to the mass if the reaction took place inside a sealed plastic bag? A: If the reaction took place inside a sealed plastic bag, the mass of the bag would increase, because as the reaction proceeds and carbon dioxide gas is formed, it would fill the bag and increase the overall mass of the system.