Big Reaction: Alka-Seltzer and water…in space!
![Alka-Seltzer and water](https://i0.wp.com/blog.cassandrahunt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/alkaseltzer_water_space.gif?resize=303%2C227)
This one’s all about location, location, location.
We’ve all seen how Alka-Seltzer reacts with water. (And if you haven’t , today’s your day!) This reaction is especially neat because it takes place in the microgravity environment on board the International Space Station.
Alka-Seltzer is an antacid and pain reliever. The bubbling is due to the antacid part: sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and anhydrous citric acid (C6H8O7) reacting with water. Sodium bicarbonate produces CO2 gas: 2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2.
Here’s the original video, from Plasma Ben: