2/13/2013

Teacher: Ms. Andress | Winston Boon

REDEEMER
LUTHERAN
COLLEGE
EXPERIMENT 3- OBSERVING A CHEMICAL
REACTION

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Experiment 3- Observing a Chemical Reaction
Aim:
To learn how qualitative and quantitative observations of a chemical reaction are used to formulate
a hypothesis.

Hypothesis:
In this experiment, we will be able to make assured qualitative and quantitative observations.
Qualitative data will be when the aluminium foil is placed in the copper chloride. Quantitative data
will be the initial and final temperature of the water.

Method:
As on page 33 in the Chemistry Lab Manual

Materials:
As on page 26 in the Chemistry Lab Manual

Risk Assessment:
As on page 26 in the Chemistry Lab Manual
Do not come in contact with the copper chloride dihydrate through the air (no inhaling),
drinking water and from foods as it may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, liver damage,
kidney damage, may also result to death.
Using your hand as a fan to pick up the scent of the copper chloride will decrease your
chances of taking a risk.



Copper Chloride Dihydrate


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Data Table(s):
Data Table 1: Observations
System Observations
Dry Copper (II) Chloride Dihydrate Turquoise in colour, soft, powdery look (using
the rod to stir the dry copper), strong smell
Copper (II) Chloride in water Soluble, Bubbling colour turned darker, foam
was formed on the surface, no change in
temperature
Stirred Copper (II) Chloride in water The liquid turned blue in colour, bits of powder
at the bottom of the beaker dissolved
Copper (II) Chloride Solution + Aluminium Gas was produced, foil was decomposing into a
brown dark red-like colour
Initial Temperature 24
o
Final Temperature 37
o

Data Table 2: Temperatures/min
Time Temperature [24
o
(Initial Temperature)]
1 37
o

2 47
o

3 46.5
o

4 45
o

5 44
o

6 41
o

7 40
o

8 39
o

9 37
o

10 37
o







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Analysis- Questions:
1. (Crossed out interpretations are shown above)
2. A) Observations of the dry crystals
Turquoise in colour
Powdery look
Soft (when using the rod to move crystals around)
Strong smell
B) Observations of the wet crystals before stirring
Becomes soluble instantaneously without the use of stirring
Bubbling
Colour turned darker
No change in temperature
C) Observations of the solution before addition of the aluminium
A change in colour from green to blue
Some bits of powder on the bottom of the beaker dissolved
D) Observations of the reaction that occurs when the aluminium is added to the solution
Initial Temperature- 24 degrees Celsius (24
o
C)
Bubbles were formed
Gas coming out from the beaker
Colour change; turned into a dark grey-like liquid
Red-like structure on the outside of the piece of aluminium which turned into a ball
immediately after dropping into beaker
Highest Temperature- peaked at 46.5
o
C
Aluminium ball completely changes into a red-like solid material
Final Temperature- finished at 37
o
C
Formula: 2Al(s) + 3CuCl2(aq) --> 3Cu(s) + 2AlCl3(aq)
- aluminum ion in solution may be coordinated with four chloride ions:
[AlCl4]-
- Copper (II) ions will decompound to produce an excess of hydrogen ions, making the
copper (II) chloride solution a little acidic.
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- Aluminum metal is always enclosed in a thin, but protective coating of aluminum oxide,
Al2O3. The chloride ion supports to disperse the aluminum from the oxygen so that the
aluminum can react with the copper ions (and also the water molecules).
- Cu2+ + HOH --> CuOH- + H+

Al2O3 + 4Cl- + H2O + 2H+ --> 2[Al(OH)2Cl2]-

The reaction is also maintained by the hydrogen gas

2Al + 6H+ --> 2Al3+ + 3H2


3. The observations and interpretations collected and recorded are most likely to not match our
classmates observations as each group may have attempted and accomplished the experiment
differently to others e.g. some groups may have stirred gradually after each minute, some may
have not stirred at all and collected the initial and final temperature. Our group however
collected the temperature every minute up to ten minutes. Thus the observations collected will
not be expected to match other groups observations.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, we made qualitative and quantitative observations thus learned how qualitative and
quantitative observations of a chemical reaction are used to formulate a hypothesis. The
observations and interpretations collected and recorded were conceivably recognisable of how
qualitative and quantitative observations are used to formulate hypothesises.

Error Analysis:
Some improvements can be made in this experiment such as stirring the mixture from time to time
every one minute without missing a single minute, counting the time segments more accurately and
recording the temperature at least 2-3 seconds before one minute to wait until the temperature has
started rising.