Answer Happy

You are evaluating a group's poster during an argumentation session for a new project. Which of the following critiques offered by the travellers to the group spokesperson use scientific concepts, theory, or laws to challenge the group's claim? (More than 1 answer is possible.) Guiding Question: Which chemical equation best represents the reaction of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) with acetic acid (CH3COOH)? Claim: NaHCO3 + CH3COOH --> H2CO3 + CH3COONa+ Evidence: Chemical equation balances. pH paper of resulting solution is neutral. Reasoning: Law of Conservation dictates that the mass of the products has to equal mass of the reactants. H2CO3 is a weak acid and CH3COONat's a weak base so they cancel each other out, leading to a pH 7 solution. Is the pka of H2CO3 and the pKb of CH3COO- the same? If they are not, what does that indicate about your claim? How do you know mass is conserved when charges are present in the products. Did you have to add more NaHCO3 to get the pH paper color right? Are you sure mass was conserved? What about the bubbling that occurred when the 2 reagents were combined?