Chemistry - Part 1 Notes

Identification of Gases

Preparation of Gas Specific Test Observations

Chlorine - A spoonful of manganese (IV) Test the gas evolved - Pale green/yellow gas evolved
oxide (MnO2) in a dry test tube. Add about with a piece of moist - The blue litmus paper turns red
1 cm3 of concentrated HCl and warm blue litmus paper and then white/is bleached.
mixture

Hydrogen - Add dilute sulphuric acid to 5
pellets of zinc in a test tube until half full.
Add 2 drops of copper (II) sulphate
Insert a lighted wooden
splint slowly into the test
tube
- Effervescence observed
- Colourless gas evolved
- No change in litmus paper
- The gas extinguishes the
lighted splint with a POP! sound
- Red-brown solid is formed

Oxygen - Add 1/4 spoon of Manganese (IV) Insert a glowing splint - Effervescence observed
oxide into a dry test tube. Add about 1cm3 into the test tube - Colourless gas evolved
of aqueous hydrogen peroxide - No change in litmus paper
- The gas rekindles/relights the
glowing splint

Sulfur Dioxide - Put a spoonful of sodium Dip a piece of filter
sulphite (Na2SO3) in a test tube. Pour in paper strip into acidified
dilute HCl until about half full. Warm gently. potassium
mangante(VII) and hold
at the mouth of test tube
- Colourless and choking gas
evolved
- Gas turns moist blue litmus
paper red
- Purple potassium manganate
(VII) becomes colourless

Carbon Dioxide - Add a few pieces of Pass the gas through - Effervescence observed
calcium carbonate into a test tube. Pour in limewater using a - Colourless gas evolved
dilute HCl or dilute nitric acid until about 1/3 delivery tube or a - Gas turns moist blue litmus
full dropper paper red
- A white precipitate is formed in
limewater

Ammonia - Add a spoonful of ammonium Test the gas evolved - Colourless and pungent gas
chloride into a test tube. Pour in sodium with a piece of moist red evolved
hydroxide solution until about one-third full. litmus paper - Moist red litmus paper turns
Warm the mixture. blue

Drying a gas (using solid or liquid drying agent)

Experimental Design and Purification Techniques

The method of collecting a gas may depend on (i) its solubility in water (ii) its density
compared to air

If gas is insoluble in water, use displacement of water. If gas is denser than air, use downward
delivery. If gas is less dense than air, use upward delivery.

Separating Funnel - Used to separate two immiscible liquids (i.e. water and oil)

Simple Distillation - Used to recover solvent from solution (i.e. water from sea water) >
Boiling chips ensure smooth boiling by allowing formation of smaller air bubbles >
Thermometer at exit of flask measures temperature of pure vapour exiting flask (boiling point
of solvent) > Cooling water enters from the bottom because the condensers bottom is the
coolest part and any vapour that didnt condense would eventually condense here so no
vapour is left

Fractional Distillation - Used to separate a mixture of miscible liquids with different boiling
points (i.e. water and ethanol) > If one of the liquids are highly flammable, a Bunsen burner
or any naked flame should NOT be used to heat > Tiny glass beads in fractionating column
increase the surface area for condensation of vapour, making separation more efficient

The presence of impurity - Decreases melting point and causes it to melt over a range of
temperatures/Increases boiling point and causes it to boil over a range of temperatures

Pressure - When the pressure is lower, the boiling point is also lower (Since pressure is lower
in vacuum than atmosphere, object boils at lower temperature in vacuum)

Particulate Nature of Matter

Element: A substance that is made up of only one atom; Cannot be chemically split

Compound: A substance that contains 2 or more elements; Chemically joined

Mixture: A substance that contains two or more substances physically together

Kinetic Energy: Gas > Liquid > Solid

Forces of attraction: Solid > Liquid > Gas

Arrangement: Solid - Closely together in orderly arrangement; Liquid - Closely together but
not orderly; Gas - Far apart and not orderly

Motion: Solid - Vibration; Liquid - Vibration and Translation; Gas - Vibration and Translation