a chemical which fizzes on contact with water

[the guy]

i need an easy to get hold of preferably household chemical which is safe on contact with skin and fizzes on contact with water, solid or liquid.

any suggestions?

[UC]

Same thing that makes alka-seltzer fizz. Powdered citric acid mixed with an appropriate amount of baking soda. In the cosmetics-making community, they're also the ingredients in "bath bombs."

[John Cuthber]

Baking powder?

[the guy]

i just tried baking powder, it didn't fizz, does citric acid on its own fizz?

[insane_alien]

nope.

[the guy]

why does it fizz when with baking soda?

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and how much is 'an appropriate amount' in comparison with the citric acid?

[insane_alien]

the acid reacts with the backing soda to make carbon dioxide. this is the fizzing.

[CaptainPanic]

Some tablets to help the stomach fizz if you put them in water.

 

I couldn't find what's in them, but I wouldn't be surprised if these also contain carbonates which form CO2 when contacted with water.

[John Cuthber]

I'd still like to know why the baking powder didn't work.

Do you know it's different from baking soda?

[the guy]

i tried both baking soda and baking powder, i dont know if they are the same thing but thats what it said on the label and neither worked

[John Cuthber]

Odd; did the baking powder have a "best before" date on it?

The whole purpose of the stuff is to fizz (slowly) when added to water-containing foods.

Incidentally, baking soda will fizz in very hot water but that might not help you much.

[the guy]

i thought it was just to fizz when heated like when you bake a cake - hence 'baking' powder

[jdurg]

Odd; did the baking powder have a "best before" date on it?

The whole purpose of the stuff is to fizz (slowly) when added to water-containing foods.

Incidentally, baking soda will fizz in very hot water but that might not help you much.

 

To see any appreciable fizz from baking powder or soda, the water must be acidic. Otherwise, what is the reaction that will lead to Na2CO3, or NaHCO3 forming CO2 gas?

[Hamster]

Baking SODA needs an acid to generate co2.

 

Baking POWDER is a mixture of Baking soda, cream of tartar and only needs water to activate. It does get weaker with age , so you need fairly fresh. Humidity will degrade it faster.

 

From baking chemistry lemon juice in water is a good cheat for demonstrations, it will activate either.

[John Cuthber]

To see any appreciable fizz from baking powder or soda, the water must be acidic. Otherwise, what is the reaction that will lead to Na2CO3, or NaHCO3 forming CO2 gas?

 

Baking powder (rather than soda) contains an acid (classically cream of tartar, but others get used).

 

On heating bicarbonates are converted to carbonates and CO2 and water.

2NaHCO3 --> Na2CO3 +H2O +CO2

[jdurg]

Baking SODA needs an acid to generate co2.

 

Baking POWDER is a mixture of Baking soda, cream of tartar and only needs water to activate. It does get weaker with age , so you need fairly fresh. Humidity will degrade it faster.

 

From baking chemistry lemon juice in water is a good cheat for demonstrations, it will activate either.

 

Ahhh. I had forgotten the composition of baking powder.