question archive To learn about the metabolic rate of crickets, a researcher plans to seal several of the insects in a chamber with a raised mesh oor, beneath which lies a cup containing sodium hydroxide pellets, NaOH(s)
To learn about the metabolic rate of crickets, a researcher plans to seal several of the insects in a chamber with a raised mesh oor, beneath which lies a cup containing sodium hydroxide pellets, NaOH(s)
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To learn about the metabolic rate of crickets, a researcher plans to seal several of the insects in a chamber with a raised mesh oor, beneath which lies a cup containing sodium hydroxide pellets, NaOH(s). The researcher intends to measure the mass gained by the cup of sodium hydroxide pellets as a direct determination of the mass of CO2 given o by the crickets. The crickets will not be harmed because they cannot come into contact with the sodium hydroxide and they will be removed before the concentration of oxygen in the chamber is signicantly lowered.
(a) Evaluate this experimental design.
(b) On what balanced chemical equation has the researcher based the experimental design?
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- I think this experimental design, although the concept is there, is poorly thought of. It is known that NaOH reacted with carbon dioxide does yield sodium carbonate and water as its products. And through this reaction, you can measure the amount of carbon dioxide produced by the amount NaOH left and sodium carbonate produced. However, further reactions between sodium carbonate and water and carbon dioxide is possible. This reaction makes it possible for increased consumption of carbon dioxide without reactions with NaOH.
- 2NaOH + CO2 --> Na2CO3 + H2O
Step-by-step explanation
This is the reaction not taken into account by the designer of the experiment:
(1) 2NaOH + CO2 --> Na2CO3 + H2O
(2) Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O --> 2NaHCO3
