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Reaction Car CBEE 101
AbdulazizAlnaim, Mike Hodgen, Galen Peterson
Reaction Chemistry 1

Our group tried several different ways to power the car, the first two were Redox.
First with lemons:
A lemon had a Magnesium and Copper strip placed into either ends, and a wire and voltmeter was
used to complete the circuit:
which is the equation
Mg → Mg2+ + 2 e-
at the Mg anode ( Mg oxidized)
2H++ 2e- → H2.
at Cu Cathode ( H from citric acid reduced)
However the voltmeter indicated a voltage below 1.5V ( amount needed to run motor) being
produced, so the lemon was scrapped, and a stronger battery was tried.
Reaction Chemistry 2

The second Battery method tried was a Sulfuric acid with a Potassium Iodide salt bridge Or
Galvanic Cell.
Another Redox reaction:
Mg → Mg2+ + 2 eCu2+ + 2 e- → Cu
Unfortunately, the Galvanic cell wouldn’t
produce enough voltage either, so we
decided to do a common Double Replacement
due to simplicity
Reaction Chemistry 3

The first double replacement reaction we tried was Sulfuric acid and Calcium Carbonate
CaCO3 + H2SO4 = CaSO4 + H2O + CO2 Included in our design would be paddle wheels
connected to the rear axle to propel the car, like a water wheel.
However during the first test of the car an accident occurred and we decided to use a safer
alternative, Baking Soda and Vinegar
CH3COOH + NaHCO3 = CH3COONa + CO2 + H2O
12 grams of baking soda, and 160 ml of 5% acetic acid, was used and gave a little under 5 atm. of
pressure ( maximum propel bottle can hold).
Car design
For the final car design, all that added weight, or
was unnecessary was removed. Such as the paddle
wheel, and extra nozzle design. This car was the only
one that moved on it’s own.
The short wheel base provided ease of energy
transfer, and the normal propel nozzle made quick
addition of the Baking soda possible
Testing Results
Redox
Redox
Sulfuric Acid/Calcium
Carbonate
Powered by
Lemon (Redox)
Galvanic Cell
(Redox)
H2SO4&CaCO3(Douple
Replacement)
CH3COOH +
NaHCO3
Car Design #
Car 1
Car 2
Car 3
Car 4
Reaction
Baking
Soda/Vinegar
Distance
Travelled (in)
Trial # 1
Trial # 2
Trial # 3
0 in. (Not Enough 0 in. (Not Enough 0 in. (Accident stopped
Voltage)
Voltage)
testing)
0 in.
0 in.
4 in.
Conclusions
The lemon and the galvanic cell reactions failed
mainly because they didn’t provide enough energy
to operate the motor. Considering the sulfuric
acid and the calcium carbonate reaction, it could
have produced the amount of carbon dioxide we
needed but unfortunately we didn’t have the time
to perfect the car design so that it would be safer
to use the sulfuric acid. The problem with vinegar
and baking soda reaction is that we didn’t give it
enough time to react completely and produce the
maximum amount of carbon dioxide. If we had
more time we probably would try to modify the
car design and try using sulfuric acid or
hydrochloric acid.