Question

a student wants to create a liquid volcano. the student observes bubbles in the soft drink prior to opening it. the student first proceeds to open the soft drink bottle and place it on the floor. next the student drops candy tablets into the drink at a continuous pace. the student notices a very powerful reaction in which the candies, still intact, are pushed out of the soda as the drink fizzes and starts to bubble. in this scenario, what would be the catalyst? the candy tablets being added to the drink. the gasses being released when the drink was first opened. the liquid in the container. the container that holds the liquid.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall catalyst definition

A catalyst is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the reaction.

Step2: Analyze the reaction

When candy tablets are added to the soft - drink, a reaction occurs where the drink fizzes and bubbles, and the tablets are pushed out intact. This shows the tablets are not consumed in the reaction and are speeding up the release of gas from the soft - drink.

Step3: Evaluate options

The gasses released when the drink is opened are a result of the pressure change and not a catalyst. The liquid in the container and the container itself do not speed up the reaction. The candy tablets are the substances that cause the reaction to occur more vigorously without being consumed.

Answer:

The candy tablets being added to the drink.