Applications of Green Chemistry through Heating Bicarbonate Samples
The purpose of this experiment is to see the effects that green chemistry principles have on an industrial environment when applied in chemical reactions. This research explores these principles used as methods to reduce the amount of harmful waste produced in industrial chemical reactions.
The goal of this experiment was to heat bicarbonate samples until its mass remained constant to see that byproduct from the chemical reaction was released into the environment. In order to test this, potassium and sodium bicarbonate samples were heated, massed out to two grams, added to a crucible and cover, weighed, and then placed in the testing environment. The sample was heated and cooled for eight minutes. The crucible, cover, and sample were then weighed and recorded in a data table. This process was done twice for each trial. The setup allows for the carbon dioxide and water vapor to escape during the heating process. Ten trials for each sample were conducted and the averages were then calculated. The average mass lost after the first heating for potassium bicarbonate was 0.6193 grams and for sodium bicarbonate was 0.73961 grams. The average mass lost after the second heating for potassium bicarbonate was 0.00346 grams and for sodium bicarbonate was 0.00065 grams. On average the sodium bicarbonate lost about 16.27 percent more mass than the potassium bicarbonate.
This research can help the global community because it involves many green chemistry concepts that are needed in today’s advanced world. Green chemistry impacts many people on a daily basis whether that is in the pharmaceutical industry, the environment, or in regular household items, it is important to reduce the harmful waste produced from chemical reactions.
Research Conducted By:
Joshua Ameye
Cousino High School
Jack Koshko
Cousino High School
Warren Consolidated Schools