======Alka Seltzer Surface Area======


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**Alternative titles:** Alka Seltzer Rate of Reaction
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Gather materials: three Alka-Seltzer tablets, timer, paper, heavy object (for crushing), beaker or cup, and tap water.  
  - Fill a beaker or cup with a fixed amount of water (e.g., 250 mL).  
  - Drop in one whole Alka-Seltzer tablet and measure the time it takes to fully dissolve. Record the result.  
  - Break the second tablet into several smaller pieces, add to a fresh beaker of water, and time the reaction. Record the result.  
  - Crush the third tablet into a fine powder, add to another beaker of water, and measure the dissolution time.  
  - Compare the times and calculate the average reaction rate for each condition.  




====Links==== 
Alka Seltzer Reaction - Pueblo Science: 
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📄 Reaction Rates: When Surface Area Matters! - Science Buddies: [[https://www.sciencebuddies.org/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/surface-area-reaction-rates]]\\


====Variations====
  * Test the effect of water temperature on dissolution speed.  
  * Use different brands or types of effervescent tablets for comparison.  
  * Compare the effect of stirring versus no stirring.  




====Safety Precautions====
  * Safety glasses recommended to protect against splashes.  
  * Handle the crushing of tablets carefully to avoid injury.  
  * Clean up spills immediately.  
  * Dispose of the used solutions down the sink with running water.  





====Questions to Consider====
  * Which form of the tablet dissolved the fastest, and why?  
  * How does collision theory explain the differences in reaction rates?  
  * What real-world examples can you think of where surface area affects reaction speed?  
  * How might increasing temperature or concentration influence reaction rate compared to surface area?