UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
LABORATORY (CHE485)

NAME : NOR FARISHA MASTURA BINTI FISSOL

STUDENT NO. : 2021614808
GROUP : EH2203H
EXPERIMENT : LAB 4 STOICHIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF
THERMAL DECOMPOSITION REACTION OF
SODIUM BICARBONATE
DATE PERFORMED : 17th DECEMBER 2021
SEMESTER :3
PROGRAMME / CODE : EH220 / CHE485
SUBMIT TO : DR. TAN HUEY LING

No. Title Allocated Marks (%) Marks

1 Abstract/Summary 5
2 Introduction 10
3 Aims 5
4 Theory 10
5 Apparatus 5
6 Methodology/Procedure 10
7 Results 10
8 Calculations 10
9 Discussion 20
10 Conclusion 5
11 Recommendations 5
12 Reference / Appendix 5
TOTAL MARKS 100

Remark:

Checked by:

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Table of Contents
Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... 2
Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 4
Aims ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Theory ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Materials and Apparatus ............................................................................................................ 6
Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 7
Results & Calculations............................................................................................................... 8
Discussions .............................................................................................................................. 11
Conclusions .............................................................................................................................. 12
Recommendations .................................................................................................................... 13
References ................................................................................................................................ 14

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Abstract
Thermal decomposition is a process of chemical reaction that occurs when a compound is
breaking down due to heat. The objectives of this experiment are to evaluate the chemical
components in sodium bicarbonate after decomposition (products) using heat and to determine
the accurate decomposition reaction of sodium bicarbonate. The thermal decomposition of
baking soda is performed by measuring all of the necessary masses before and after the heat
decomposition such as the mass of crucible and the mass of baking soda. The mass of baking
soda before heat decomposition is 4.5g while 2.84g after the heat decomposition. The
experiment is continued by heating the baking soda in the crucible for 10 minutes. The products
after the baking soda is still not known but theoretically it will produce either one of these 3
decomposition chemical reactions;

1. Sodium Bicarbonate(s) → Sodium Hydroxide (s) + Carbon Dioxide (g)

2. Sodium Bicarbonate(s) → Sodium Oxide (s) + Carbon Dioxide (g) + Water (g)
3. Sodium Bicarbonate(s) → Sodium Carbonate (s) + Carbon Dioxide (g) + Water (g)

By knowing the mass percent of the solid product hence the accurate decomposition chemical
reaction can be determined by measuring the percent error to the actual mass percent. The
actual mass percent is 63.11%, the mass percent for reaction 1 is 47.62%, reaction 2 is 36.90%
and reaction 3 is 63.10%. The percent error of each reaction 1,2 and 3 is 32.63%, 71.03% and
0.02% respectively. Through this successful experiment, the objectives are obtained.

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Introduction
Stoichiometry is the measurement of quantitative relationship between the products and
reactants of a chemical reaction in terms of their relative mass or volume ratios. In chemistry
and chemical engineering, Stoichiometry is essential topic in chemistry and chemical
engineering because it used to determine the amount of materials that are required for certain
process and to estimate the amount of product gained from a given reaction. It also helps the
industry to manage their cost and profitability where the amount of certain reactant and
products can be measured from the beginning due to the law of conservation of mass; the total
mass of reactants is equal to the total mass of products. Stoichiometry of a reaction will be
calculated by using moles and moles ratios of each compounds in a balanced chemical
equation. In this experiment, thermal decomposition of Sodium Bicarbonate theoretically
produces 3 possible decomposition chemical reactions;

4. Sodium Bicarbonate(s) → Sodium Hydroxide (s) + Carbon Dioxide (g)

5. Sodium Bicarbonate(s) → Sodium Oxide (s) + Carbon Dioxide (g) + Water (g)
6. Sodium Bicarbonate(s) → Sodium Carbonate (s) + Carbon Dioxide (g) + Water (g)

The purpose of this experiment is to evaluate the chemical components in sodium bicarbonate
after decomposition (products) using heat and to determine the accurate decomposition reaction
of sodium bicarbonate.

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Aims
1. To evaluate the chemical components in sodium bicarbonate after decomposition
(products) using heat.
2. To determine the accurate decomposition reaction of sodium bicarbonate.

Theory
Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate or Sodium Bicarbonate, also known as Baking Soda has the
chemical formula NaHCO3 can be used in various way either in cleaning, odour neutralizer, air
freshener, whitening agent for laundry and even baking. In food industry, the chemists there
has been studied thermal decomposition extensively. The meaning of thermal is heat, while
decomposition is the process of breaking down of a certain compound. Thus, thermal
decomposition is the process chemical reaction that occurs when a compound is breaking down
due to heat [1]. When the temperature of sodium bicarbonate reaches 50°C, the sodium
bicarbonate will start to decompose to produce few types of products. Theoretically, this
thermal decomposition of sodium bicarbonate or baking soda has three possible decomposition
reactions;

1. Sodium Bicarbonate(s) → Sodium Hydroxide (s) + Carbon Dioxide (g)

2. Sodium Bicarbonate(s) → Sodium Oxide (s) + Carbon Dioxide (g) + Water (g)
3. Sodium Bicarbonate(s) → Sodium Carbonate (s) + Carbon Dioxide (g) + Water (g)

To calculate the mass of each component in a balanced chemical equation, the relative atomic
mass should be use. The information of the relative atomic mass can be obtained from Periodic
Table. The stoichiometric mass can be calculated by relative atomic mass of each component
is multiplied with its number of moles. The mass percent is calculated by using this formula;

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡

× 100%
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒

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The setup for this experiment is as diagram below;

Schematic Illustration of the setup of the experiment.

Materials and Apparatus

1. 6g baking soda
2. Weigh balance
3. Crucible
4. Ring stand
5. Ring clamp
6. Circular ring support
7. Clay triangle
8. Bunsen burner
9. Spatula

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Methodology
1. The empty crucible was placed onto the weighing balance, the mass of the empty
crucible was recorded.
2. The weighing balance with the empty crucible on top was reset by pressing reset button.
Hence, approximately 4.5 grams of baking soda was measured into the crucible. The
mass of baking soda in the crucible was recorded.
3. The weighing balance was reset once again without anything on the pan of weighing
balance. The mass of crucible containing baking soda was recorded.
4. The ring stand with a circular ring support was assembled. Then, the clay triangle was
placed on top of the ring support. The crucible containing the baking soda was place
onto the clay triangle.
5. Bunsen burner was placed below the crucible containing baking soda which was on top
of clay triangle. The crucible containing baking soda was being heated for 10 minutes.
The clumps formed during heating was carefully broken-down only once using spatula.
6. The mass of crucible containing baking soda was measured after 10 minutes of heating.
The mass of crucible containing baking soda after being heated for 10 minutes was
recorded.

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Results & Calculations
Before heat decomposition

Weight (g)

Crucible 20.104

Crucible + Sodium Bicarbonate 24.604

Sodium Bicarbonate 4.500

After heat decomposition

Weight (g)

Crucible + Sodium Bicarbonate 22.944

Sodium Bicarbonate 2.84

Actual percent mass of Solid product after heat decomposition:

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡

× 100% = 63.11% [2]
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒

2.84𝑔
× 100% = 63.11%
4.5𝑔

1. Balanced chemical equations for all possible decomposition reactions.

a. Sodium Bicarbonate(s) → Sodium Hydroxide (s) + Carbon Dioxide (g)
NaHCO3 (s) → NaOH (s) + CO2 (g)

b. Sodium Bicarbonate(s) → Sodium Oxide (s) + Carbon Dioxide (g) + Water (g)
2NaHCO3 (s) → Na2O (s) + 2CO2 (g) + H2O (g)

c. Sodium Bicarbonate(s) → Sodium Carbonate (s) + Carbon Dioxide (g) + Water (g)
2NaHCO3 (s) → Na2CO3 (s) + CO2 (g) + H2O (g)

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2. Determine stoichiometric mass predictions for each possible reaction.

Relative atomic mass: [Na:23, C:12, H:1, O:16]

a. NaHCO3 (s) → NaOH (s) + CO2 (g)

Reactant Products

NaHCO3 (s) NaOH (s) CO2 (g)

23+1+12+(16×3) 23+16+1 12+(16×2)

Stoichiometric mass
84 g/mol 40g/mol 44g/mol

Total 84g/mol 84g/mol

Percent mass of solid product, NaOH (s);

40𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
× 100% = 47.62%
84𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙

The percent mass of NaOH (s) from the (a) possible decomposition reaction did not satisfy
the percent mass of the experiment.

b. 2NaHCO3 (s) → Na2O (s) + 2CO2 (g) + H2O (g)

Reactant Products

2NaHCO3 (s) Na2O (s) 2CO2 (g) H2O (g)

2[23+1+12+(16×3)] (23×2) + 16 2[12 + (16×2)] (1×2) + 16

Stoichiometric mass
168 g/mol 62 g/mol 88 g/mol 18 g/mol

Total 168 g/mol 168 g/mol

Percent mass of solid product, Na2O (s);

62𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
× 100% = 36.90%
168𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙

The percent mass of Na2O (s) from the (b) possible decomposition reaction did not satisfy the
percent mass of the experiment.

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 c. 2NaHCO3 (s) → Na2CO3 (s) + CO2 (g) + H2O (g)

Reactant Products

2NaHCO3 (s) Na2CO3 (s) CO2 (g) H2O (g)

(23×2) +12 (1×2) + 16

Stoichiometric 2[23+1+12+(16×3)] 12 + (16×2)
+(16×3)
mass
168 g/mol 106 g/mol 44 g/mol 18 g/mol

Total 168 g/mol 168 g/mol

Percent mass of solid product, Na2CO3 (s);

106𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
× 100% = 63.10%
168𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙

The percent mass of Na2CO3 (s) from the (c) possible decomposition reaction did satisfied the
percent mass of the experiment.

3. Determine which is the correct decomposition reaction.

The correct decomposition reaction is balanced chemical equation (c);
2NaHCO3 (s) → Na2CO3 (s) + CO2 (g) + H2O (g).

Approximation Error (percent error) for each of possible reactions compared to the actual
value can be calculate using formula;
𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
× 100%
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

Experiment
Possible Reaction (a) (b) (c)
(Actual Value)

Mass Percent (%) 63.11 47.62 36.90 63.10

Error Percent (%) - 32.53 71.03 0.02

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Discussions
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the chemical components in sodium bicarbonate
after decomposition (products) using heat and to determine the accurate decomposition reaction
of sodium bicarbonate. The decomposition of Sodium Bicarbonate or Baking soda, NaHCO3
has three theoretical possible reactions. By having the mass of NaHCO3 before and after
decomposition, we can find the percent mass of the solid product. The mass of NaHCO3 before
decomposition is 4.5g, while after decomposition using heat is 2.84g. Hence, the actual mass
percent of product calculated is 63.11%. However, from all of the three theoretical possible
reaction we need to determine the correct reactions for this experiment. Firstly, we need to
balance the chemical equations and find the stoichiometric mass of each of reactant and product
using relative atomic mass. Due to law of conservation of mass, the total mass of reactant must
equal to the total mass of the products thus we can make sure the total of reactants calculated
are same as the total of products from the balanced chemical equations. After that, percent mass
of the solid product from the reaction is calculated and the values for reaction (a), (b) and (c)
are 47.62%, 36.90% and 63.10% respectively. The percent error for each of possible reactions
compared to the actual value are 32.63%, 71.03% and 0.02% respectively.

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Conclusions
The purpose of this experiment is to evaluate the chemical components in sodium bicarbonate
after decomposition (products) using heat and to determine the accurate decomposition reaction
of sodium bicarbonate. The experiment started by measuring all the necessary masses before
and after heat decomposition for 10 minutes, then the data are recorded. The crucial law to
ensure the stoichiometric masses of each of reactants and products correct is the law of
conservation of mass. The actual mass and percent mass of this experiment is 2.84g and 63.11%
respectively. The stoichiometric mass of solid product in each of possible reaction is 40g/mol
(NaOH) for reaction (a), 62g/mol (Na2O) for reaction (b) and 106g/mol (Na2CO3) for reaction
(c). The percent mass of each of possible reactions are 47.62%, 36.90% and 63.10%
respectively for reaction (a), (b) and (c). To determine the accurate decomposition reaction,
percent error was calculated because it will indicate the accuracy to the actual or exact value
[3]. The lower the percent error, the more the accuracy of the result. The percent error obtained
for each of the possible decomposition reactions are 32.63%, 71.03% and 0.02% for reaction
(a), (b) and (c). The values obtained can be compared to the actual mass percent which is
63.11% hence the correct decomposition reaction is balanced chemical equation (c) since the
percentage error obtained is the smallest and more accurate compared to the other two reactions
hence met the objectives and this experiment was a success.

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Recommendations
To ensure more accurate result of the experiment, the crucible and the baking soda should be
in dry condition during the measurement of mass of baking soda because the presence of water
will increase the weight of either baking soda or the crucible. By ensuring both in dry condition,
the baking soda is pure and not containing water hence the mass of baking soda or the crucible
would not be affected due to absence of water. However, during the heat decomposition, it is
also the same when the baking soda will also release a few gases which are Carbon Dioxide
(CO2) and Water (H2O) thus it is important to the let the gases out thus the weight after the heat
decomposition will not be affected. Other than that, safety should be prioritized by wearing
heat-resistant gloves and safety goggles during conducting the experiment.

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References

1. Heinrich, R., & Schuster, S. (1996). Stoichiometric Analysis. The Regulation of

Cellular Systems, 75–111. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1161-4_3
2. KEENER, T. C., FRAZIER, G. C., & DAVIS, W. T. (1985). THERMAL
DECOMPOSITION OF SODIUM BICARBONATE. Chemical Engineering
Communications, 33(1–4), 93–105. https://doi.org/10.1080/00986448508911162
3. Thermal decomposition. (2021, September 10). BBC Bitesize.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zypsgk7/articles/zrgysk7#:%7E:text=of%20
breaking%20down.-
,Thermal%20decomposition%20is%20a%20chemical%20reaction%20that%20ha
ppens%20when%20a,starting%20compound%20is%20the%20reactant%20
4. Thermal decomposition of Baking Soda / Bi-Carb Soda (sodium hydrogen
carbonate, NaHCO3). (2018, June 21). [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktotk7Y7DKc

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