Testing CO₂ with Limewater
Vinegar + Baking Soda Reaction
Perform the experiment to test for carbon dioxide gas. Mix vinegar and baking soda to produce CO₂, then observe how it turns limewater cloudy - a positive test for carbon dioxide!
Status: Ready
Observation:
Limewater is clear. Add vinegar to baking soda to produce CO₂ gas.
The Science Behind CO₂ Testing
Key Concepts:
Carbon dioxide testing with limewater demonstrates a chemical reaction:
- Vinegar (acetic acid) reacts with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to produce CO₂ gas
- When CO₂ bubbles through limewater (calcium hydroxide solution), a precipitation reaction occurs
- The white precipitate (calcium carbonate) makes the solution appear cloudy
- This is a standard test for the presence of carbon dioxide
Chemical Equations:
1. Vinegar + Baking Soda: CH₃COOH + NaHCO₃ → NaCH₃COO + H₂O + CO₂
2. Limewater Test: Ca(OH)₂ + CO₂ → CaCO₃ + H₂O
