Alysha Lecuyer
Period 1
Experiment #23
May 6, 2014
Properties of Acids and Bases Objectives:
● To investigate the properties of acids and bases
● To learn the names and formulas of common laboratory acids and bases Procedure: The procedure followed in this lab is as outlined on the first page of the provided lab handout, “Properties of Acids and Bases.” Data:
Table I: Properties of Common Laboratory Acids Name

Hydrochloric

Formula Effect on
Blue
Litmus
HCl

Acid

Turned pink Effect on
Red
Litmus

Reaction with
Carbonate

Reaction with Zinc

Reaction
Effects on with Properties
Magnesium of Bases

Turned dark red

­Bubbles until dissolved ­Flame went out ­Bubbles until dissolved
­No
reaction to flame ­Bubbles until dissolved
­Produced
gas
­No
reaction to flame Neutralized

­No reaction to
CaCO3
(no effect) ­Flame went out

­Bubbles until dissolved
­Made a popping noise with the flame

­Bubbles until dissolved
­Made a popping noise with the flame

Neutralized

­Bubbles until dissolved
­No flame rxn ­Bubbles until dissolved
­Produced
gas

Neutralized

(no effect)

Sulfuric
Acid

H2SO4

Turned pink Nitric
Acid

HNO3

Turned pink Turned dark red

Turned dark red
(no effect)

­Bubbles until dissolved ­Flame went out Table II: Properties of Common Laboratory Bases Name

Formula

Effect on
Blue
Litmus

Effect on
Red
Litmus

Feel

Effect of
Phth

Sodium
Hydroxide

NaOH

Turned dark blue
(no effect)

Turned blue Heavy/dense

Potassium
Hydroxide

KOH

Turned dark blue
(no effect)

Turned blue Thin, soapy, Turned hot Neutralized slippery pink/magenta

Calcium
Hydroxide

Ca(OH)2

Turned dark blue
(no effect)

Turned blue Heavy/ dense Turned hot Neutralized pink/magenta Turned hot Neutralized pink/magenta Table III: Properties of a Solution after an Acid/Base (Neutralization) Reaction

Effect on
Properties
of Acids

Effect on Red Litmus

Turned dark red

Effect on Blue Litmus

Turned light red

Feel

Thick and sticky

Reaction with Zinc

No reaction

Formula of the Solute Product

NaCl

Results:
Table IV: Properties of Acids and Bases Acids

Bases

Turns blue litmus paper pink

Turns red litmus paper blue

Reacts with metals to form H2 gas

Slippery Feeling

Sour taste

Bitter taste

Discussion: The objective of the lab was to observe how various experimentations will help to display the properties of acids and bases. Through the numerous tests conducted, one was also able to familiarize themselves with both the names and formulas of acids and bases commonly used in lab experiments. The lab was conducted in three components, beginning with the investigation of the properties of acids, followed by the investigation of bases, and it concluded with a neutralization reaction. For the acids segment, 5 mL of 3 M of HCl, H2SO4, and HNO3 were added to separate test tubes. Afterwards, the effect each had on both the blue and red litmus paper was noted as it would later help to differentiate acids from bases in the results section.
Afterwards, carbonate, zinc, and magnesium were added to each test tube, one at a time, and the results were gathered. A splint was then held over the mouth of the test tubes and the presence of carbon dioxide gas was noted if a popping sound occurred from the calcium carbonate.
Additionally, a hydrogen gas was able to be detected in the same way with the added zinc to the acids. In the second segment of the lab, 5 mL of 0.1 M NaOH, KOH, and Ca(OH)2 were added to test tubes and the effects on the blue and red litmus paper were recorded. By then placing only a drop of solution onto the fingers and rubbing them together, the feel of the used bases was determined. Lastly, a small drop of phenolphthalein indicator, or Phth, was added to the test
tubes