Final answer:
The mass of the gas released when vinegar is mixed with baking soda is calculated by subtracting the mass of the final product from the initial mass of reactants, which is 1.15g. The gas produced is carbon dioxide due to the reaction between acetic acid in vinegar and sodium bicarbonate in baking soda.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you mix 20.17g of vinegar with 12.01 g of baking soda, a chemical reaction occurs producing gas and other substances. If the mass of the final product is 31.03g and you began with a total mass of 32.18g (20.17g vinegar + 12.01g baking soda), the difference between the initial total mass and the final mass will give us the mass of the gas released, which is 1.15g (32.18g - 31.03g). The reaction between vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and another compound such as sodium acetate.
The loss of mass witnessed in the reaction is due to the release of carbon dioxide gas, which escapes into the atmosphere. This type of reaction is an example of a chemical change where new substances are formed, and it demonstrates the conservation of mass, except for the part of the reactants that escapes as gas.