Experiment: Chemical Reaction and Test Tube Essay

Submitted By beestnme
Words: 785
Pages: 4

Introduction A chemical reaction happens when two or more molecules interact and the molecules change. A reaction could include ions, compounds, or molecules of a single element. Simple reactions often happen as part of a larger series of reactions. The substance initially invlovled in a chemical reaction are called reactants.

Background Synthesis reactions start out with two separate elements on the reactants side and combine them to form a compound on the products side. A + B reacts to get AB is the usual synthesis reaction. A decomposition reaction is a reaction in which a single compound is broken down, or decomposed into two or more products. The final product can either be elments or smaller compounds. Often, decomposition occur only when heat is added to the reactant compound. A single replacement reaction is when one element in a compound replaces another element. A metal always replaces another metal element, while a nonmetal always replaces a nonmetal. The scheme that places the metals in order of reactivity is called the activity series. Double Replacement reactions are when ions exchange between two compounds. Double replacement reactions usually occur between two ionic compounds in aqueious solutions. Combustion is when a compound reacts with oxygen, often producing energy in the form of heat and light. A good bit of combustion reactions involve a hydrocarbon.

Material List
Chemicals
• Calcium chloride solution, 0.5 M, CaCl2, 3 mL
• Silver nitrate solution, 0.5 M, AgNO3, 5 mL
• Copper wire, Cu, 4 in
• Sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3, 1 g
• Ethyl alcohol, CH2CH2OH, 1 mL
• Sodium carbonate solution, 0.5 M, Na2CO3, 3 mL
• Magnesium metal ribbon, Mg, 2 in
Equipment
• Balance
• Scoop or spatula
• Beral-type pipets, 3
• Bunsen burner
• Butane safety lighter
• Cobalt chloride test paper
• Graduate cylinder, 10-mL
• Scissors
• Test tube clamp
• Test tube rack
• Test tubes, borosilicate glass, 13 by 100 mm, 3
• Tongs or forceps
• Watch glass, Pyrex
• Wooden splint

Procedure
Reaction #1
1. Place about 1 g of sodium bicarbonate in a test tube. Record your observations of the solid before heating.
2. Light the laboratory burner.
3. Holding the test tube with a test tube clamp, heat the solid in the test tube gently in the burner flame for about one minute. Record your observations as the solid is heated.
4. While the solid is heating, light a wooden splint. While continuing to heat the solid , place the burning wooden splint in the mouth of the test tube. Record your observations.
5. While the solid is heating, place a piece of cobalt chloride test paper in the mouth of the test tube. Coblat chloride test paper is blue when dry, but turns pink when in contact with water or water vapor. Turn off the burner. Record your observations.
Reaction #2
1. Obtain a strip of magnesium metal ribbon about two inches in length. Record your observations of the magnesium before burning it.
2. Light the