Question

Equal amounts of sodium hydrogencarbonate are taken in two test tubes A and B. Acetic acid is added to test-tube A whereas an equal volume of hydrochloric acid is added to test-tube B. In which test-tube, effervescence will occur more vigorously and why?

Answer 1

Sodium hydrogen carbonate is a base which when mixed with an acid, will give brisk effervescence. Test tube A contains acetic acid which is a weak acid, so it does not give much effervescence. But test tube B contains hydrochloric acid, which is a strong acid and thus gives brisk effervescence.