Using Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate to Teach Chemical Concepts of Thermodynamics

This paper provides seven topics on sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) and its ions for readers looking for familiar material phenomena to strengthen students' understanding of the chemical concepts of thermodynamics. The first concept is the ideal gas law, followed by the van't Hoff equation, Gibbs energy, pH change, chemical equilibrium, and human blood, and the last is pattern formation. Motivational demonstrations to encourage thinking about why the phenomenon occurs are introduced. Pancakes are baked with and without NaHCO3. NaHCO3 powder is dissolved in water, and the pH and temperature are measured. An aqueous solution is heated. Carbon dioxide gas is mixed in water, and a droplet of aqueous NaHCO3 solution is dried. Through these simple experiments with common equipment, first-year and second-year undergraduate nonscience majors studied the basic principles of chemistry in Introductory Chemistry, General Chemistry, and Nursing Chemistry courses.