How might you tell whether or not your toothpaste contained either calcium carbonate, CaC , or baking soda, NaHC , without looking at the ingredients label?
A)if the toothpaste bubbles when heated
B)if the toothpaste bubbles when added to ammonia, such as window cleaner
C)if the toothpaste produces a salt (NaCl)when added to HCl
D)if the toothpaste bubbles when added to vinegar

Question

How might you tell whether or not your toothpaste contained either calcium carbonate, CaC  , or baking soda, NaHC  , without looking at the ingredients label?
A)if the toothpaste bubbles when heated 
B)if the toothpaste bubbles when added to ammonia, such as window cleaner 
C)if the toothpaste produces a salt (NaCl)when added to HCl 
D)if the toothpaste bubbles when added to vinegar

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Baking soda (NaHCO3) reacts with vinegar (acetic acid) to produce carbon dioxide gas which causes bubbles. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) will not produce bubbles when added to vinegar. Therefore, if the toothpaste bubbles when added to vinegar, it likely contains baking soda.

How Might You Tell Whether or Not Your Toothpaste Contained