Andie Paschal November 12, 2013 Chemistry Bonding Lab

Bonding Lab
Introduction
The purpose of this lab was to determine whether unknown substances were ionically or covalently bonded. In order to determine whether the unknown substances were ionically or covalently bonded, we performed a series of tests that helped us identify the bonds of the unknowns due to a number of identifying properties such as melting point and structure. Prior to our lab, we learned ionically bonded compounds form between two ions, a metal and a nonmetal, and involve the exchange of electrons. Metals typically lose electrons, whereas gases typically gain electrons. Metals generally have one to three electrons on their outermost orbital shells. Because of this, it is much easier for metals to lose electrons rather than gain electrons to create a full outer shell; it requires less energy to lose electrons rather than to gain electrons. The same idea applies to gases; it is much easier to create a full outer orbital shell by gaining electrons rather than losing electrons. An element has a positive or a negative charge because of the gain or loss of electrons. In order to balance the charges, negatively charged elements (gases) are attracted to positively charged elements (metals). For example, Sodium gains an electron and Chlorine loses an electron. Sodium has a positive one charge, and Chlorine has a negative one charge. Both of these elements are attracted to each other because when bonded, they create a neutral charge. Properties of ionically bonded compounds include crystalline structures, high melting points, and the ability to conduct electricity when dissolved. Many ceramics are bonded together ionically due to the strong attraction between the elements. A covalently bonded molecule occurs between nonmetals and involves the sharing of (an) electron/s. Neither element can actually take an electron away from the other, therefore, they share (an) electron/s, which stabilizes both elements. Typical properties of covalently bonded elements include irregular crystalline structures, the incapability to conduct electricity, and low melting points. Polymers are usually covalently bonded.

Far Right- Green and Red probe lighting up when put in substance C. Middle and Far left- The strange yellow layer produced by substance E.

Results
Ionic or Covalent Tests
Description Ability to Conduct Electricity Substance was not able to conduct electricity when in solid form, but was able to when dissolved in liquid. Lit up red probe brightly and green probe dimly. Was not able to conduct electricity in solid form, but when dissolved in water was able to conduct electricity. Lit up both probes brightly. Melting Point (Measured in seconds) Began to melt at approximately 28 seconds, and was completely melted at 58 seconds.

White, solid grains, beadlike, appears to be crystalline structure. Took a fairly long time to dissolve in water.

White, similar, snowball shapes. Dissolved quickly in water.

Never melted, however, it appeared to start burning around 40-50 seconds.

Powdery, but grainy, white, somewhat clumpy, very small particles. Dissolved very quickly in water. Large crystals, small crystals, reflect light like a fish scale. Dissolved at a constant rate in water. Yellow powder, clumpy, did not mix with water well, formed a matte,

Was not conductive as a solid but was very conductive when dissolved in water. Lit up both red and green probes brightly. Nonconductive when a solid, conductive when dissolved, lit up both probes brightly. Slightly conductive, lit red probe slightly

After 155 seconds C was completely melted.

Started to melt at 8 seconds and was completely melted after 10 seconds.

Started to melt after 7 seconds and was completely melted after 30 seconds.

layer over surface of water All uniform, small, white crystals. Dissolved in water fairly quick.

Was nonconductive as a solid, when dissolved in water brightly lit up both probes.

This table shows the information we gathered while doing this lab. To begin, we described the unknown substance, and noted how well the unknown substances dissolved in water. Next, we looked at the unknown substances under a microscope. This information helped us identify whether or not the unknown substance was composed of similar crystalline structures. We then tested whether or not the unknown substance was able to conduct electricity while as a solid, and whether or not the substance was able to conduct electricity when dissolved in water. Lastly, we timed how long it took the unknown substances to melt, or remain a solid, over a flame.

Discussion
The goal of this lab was to be able to identify whether the unknown substances we were given were ionically or covalently bonded. Prior to our lab, we learned several characteristics of ionically bonded compounds and covalently bonded compounds. There are several distinguishing factors between the two types of bonds. For instance, ionically bonded compounds form repetitive crystalline structures, they have high melting points, they are very brittle, and they conduct electricity when dissolved. Typically ceramics are ionically bonded. Covalently bonded molecules on the other hand are not conductive, they form irregular crystalline structures, and typically polymers are covalently bonded. After learning this information, my partner and I did several tests based on the properties of ionic and covalent bonds. Due to the information we gathered, I believe substance A is covalently bonded. We noticed that A appeared to have a crystalline structure, and was somewhat conductive when dissolved in water. The red probe lit up brightly while the green probe lit up dimly. Although these two characteristics match ionically bonded compound properties, Substance A melted after 58 seconds over a flame, indicating the bonds were weak. Ionically bonded compounds have very strong bonds, and create a lattice. Therefore, since substance A melted, it must not have had a very strong bond, which makes me believe that its covalently bonded. I believe that the strength of bonds is more of a determining factor than structure and conductivity. I believe substance B is ionically bonded. While looking at B under a microscope all of the shapes were very similar. They were all the same size and were snowball shaped. When placed over a flame, substance B did not melt. We left it over the flame for over three minutes, and nothing appeared to occur other than it burning slightly.

I believe substance C is ionically bonded. Although it melted, it took a very long time to melt. After three minutes, you can determine whether a substance will melt or not. Substance C completely melted after 2 minutes and 35 seconds, which is very close to the 3-minute mark. Substance C was very conductive and brightly lit up both probes. C also appeared to be very brittle because although the particles were different sizes, they were similar in shape. I believe substance D is covalently bonded because it melted very quickly. After ten seconds it was completely melted. Substance D was also composed of several different sized and shaped crystals. I believe substance E is covalently bonded. It was hardly conductive at all; it dimly lit up the red probe and melted very quickly. It was completely melted after 30 seconds. E was very powdery and didnt have a definite shape. I believe substance F is ionically bonded. It was very conductive because it lit up both probes brightly. While looking at it under a microscope, it appeared to be very uniform and composed of small crystals. When F was placed over a flame, it didnt melt at all. The main aspect of uncertainty we came across was when we tested the conductivity of the unknowns. While testing the conductivity of the different unknowns, we didnt wash off the wires after testing the conductivity of one unknown after another. Therefore, the wires could have been contaminated from the previous unknowns and could have made the unknown we were testing appear to be conductive when it really wasnt. Lastly, in order to improve our experiment, I would like to do several repetitive tests of the tests we did. This would ensure certainty in our results. I would also like to add more tests. I really wanted to use the conductivity probe that measured the exact amount of conductivity. I feel like that would have helped us make more accurate predictions when deciding if the unknowns were covalently or ionically bonded.