EXPERIMENT NO.

1
CHARACTERISTICS OF MATTER
Elise Angela H. Espinosa
Kyle Maxinne R. Romero
Denmirson Vivo

TCD 4, Group # 1, Maam MJ Punzalan

07 January 2014

I. ABSTRACT
This experiment was divided into three major parts: Part A Physical Separation of the Components of a
Mixture, Part B Analysis of the Components of the Mixture, and Part C Changes in the Components of the
Mixture. Different data were gathered in this experiment. Substances were classified into metals and non-metals
after the experiment had been performed. The difference between physical and chemical change had also been
found out. Last, the differences of reactivity level between different substances were also observed in the
experiment. Also, different laboratory techniques were used in order to obtain the results desired.
II.

KEYWORDS: reactions, metals, non-metals, acidic, basic, components

III.

INTRODUCTION

Matter is anything that occupies space and has

mass. It can be classified according to its composition.
Samples of matter that have a definite composition are called
pure substances. Pure substances can be either elements or
compounds depending on the number of constituting
particles. Mixtures, on the other hand, are samples of matter
whose composition may vary according to preparation. These
may be further classified into solutions, colloids, and
suspensions based on particle size. The components of pure
substances and mixtures can be separated through physical
or mechanical methods for the latter and chemical techniques
for the former.
Matter can also be classified according to its
properties. These properties are determined by its
components individual properties, and may be physical or
chemical. Metals, nonmetals and metalloids are classified
based on their properties. The components of matter may
also undergo physical or chemical changes. Chemical
changes are those that cause chemical reactions that alter a
substances chemical composition.
The above principles were all considered and
studied in Experiment 1 as it aimed to: (1) identify the different
methods of separating components of a mixture; (2) apply the
laboratory techniques needed for each method of separation;
(3) differentiate metals from non-metals; (4) differentiate
physical from chemical change; and (5) determine the relative
reactivities of different elements. Fulfillment of these
objectives led to a more detailed and better understanding of
the characteristics of matter, on the part of the students.
The objectives were achieved through the division of
the experiment into three parts: Part A was focused on the
different physical separation techniques, while Part B was
focused on analyzing the components properties. Lastly, Part
C was centered on the changes that the components
underwent.
IV.

METHODOLOGY

CHEM 14.1, Characteristics of Matter

For this experiment where different substances from

a mixture were separated physically, analyzed and classified,
several procedures had been performed.
Part A: Physical Separation of the Components of a Mixture
Iron (Fe) filings, ground mothballs and table salt
were measured and their properties were observed. They
were then mixed in an evaporating dish, together with two
strips of Magnesium (Mg) ribbon and a pinch of food coloring.
Afterwards, the mixed dry substances were scattered in a
clean sheet of paper, and then a magnet was passed
underneath the paper. The substances that werent
magnetized were placed in a 50-mL beaker in order to be
used for the next procedure.
Thirty milliliters (30mL) of water was added to the
50-mL beaker and the mixture was mixed for a minute with a
glass rod. The mixture was then filtered through the use of a
filter paper, funnel and another beaker. The filtrate was saved
while the residue was transferred into an evaporating dish.
The set-up for the next procedure was prepared: a
sheet of perforated filter paper was placed on top of the
evaporating dish with the residue, and then an inverted funnel
with a cotton plug in its tip was placed on top of the filter
paper. The set-up was heated until there were deposits on the
walls of the funnel.
The filtrate saved was boiled and a pinch of
activated charcoal was added. The boiling was continued until
only 20-mL of the mixture remained. The mixture was filtered
and the filtrate was saved in a test tube.
An iodine (I2) crystal was added to 2mL of the filtrate
in a test tube, and then the test tube was shook. Later on,
1mL of hexane was added. With a medicine dropper, the
different layers were separated into two different evaporating
dishes. These layers were evaporated under the fume hood.
Part B. Analysis of the Components of the Mixture
Small amounts of iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), iodine
(I2) and mothballs were placed in four separate test tubes.
Afterwards, 10 drops of 0.1M hydrochloric acid (HCl) were
added and the test tubes were immediately covered with
stoppers. Evolution of gas was observed.

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A magnesium (Mg) ribbon was heated directly over

a lit alcohol lamp until the ribbon burned. The ashes collected
after the ribbon was heated were placed in a test tube.
Afterwards, 5mL of water was added and then the test tube
was shook. Observations were made. Using litmus papers,
acidity or basicity was tested.
The tip of a glass rod was heated over an alcohol
lamp for a minute. On the heated tip, a sprinkle of sulfur
powder was placed. The powdered tip was heated and then
the rod was inserted into a test tube. Fumes were collected
and then the test tube was covered with a stopper, afterwards.
1mL of water was added and then the acidity or basicity of the
solution was tested.
Part C. Changes of the Components of the Mixture
A pinch of Fe, food coloring, table salt and two
iodine crystals were placed separately into 20-mL test tubes.
The test tubes were heated with low flame. The test tubes
were cooled. Necessary observations were done.
Small amounts of Fe and Mg were placed into two
separate test tubes. Ten drops of 0.1M HCl were added to
each test tube. Observations for chemical changes were
done.
Filtrate saved from Part A was placed in an
evaporating dish and was tested with a red litmus paper.
Afterwards, it was evaporated to dryness.
V.

RESULTS

Part A. Physical Separation of the Components of a Mixture

Magnesium(Mg)
ribbon, food color,
table salt, activated
charcoal
Adsorption

Activated
charcoal,
food color, table salt

Activated
charcoal

Sublimation

Magnesium(Mg)
ribbon, mothballs

Magnesium (Mg)
ribbon

Sublimation

Magnesium(Mg)
ribbon, mothballs

Mothballs

Solvent
extraction
&
evaporation

Food
coloring
(in
aqueous layer), table
salt (in hexane layer)

Food coloring

Solvent
extraction
&
evaporation

Food
coloring
(in
aqueous layer), table
salt (in hexane layer)

Table salt

Table 2. Components isolated after each method of

separation
Part B. Analysis of the Components of the Mixture
Table 3 shows the results when 0.1 M HCl was added to the
substances. Reaction with 0.1 M HCl is useful in determining
a substances metallic character.
SUBSTANCE

In Table 1, the colors and textures of the substances used in

the experimented are shown.
SUBSTANCE

COLOR

TEXTURE

Iron (Fe) filings

black

Coarse; irregular

Mothballs

White

Fine; powder-like

Table Salt

White

Crystal-like

Mg ribbon

Silver

Smooth

Food color

orange

Fine

Table 1. Physical properties of substances

In Table 2, the components, that are isolated from all the
different substances in the mixture, in each method of
separation are shown.
METHOD OF
SEPARATION

Magnetic
separation

SUBSTANCES
INVOLVED
METHOD
Iron(Fe)
mothballs,

IN

filings,

SEPARATED
COMPONENT
IN
EXPERIMENT
Iron (Fe) filings

CHEM 14.1, Characteristics of Matter

Continuous
evolution of gas
(+/-)

CLASSIFICATION
(metallic/nonmetallic)

Iron (Fe)

Metallic

Magnesium
(Mg)

Non-metallic

Naphthalene
Balls

Non-metallic

Iodine (I2)

Non-metallic

Table 3. Reaction of substances with 0.1M HCl

Table 4 shows the reactions of the substances oxides and
their observed alkalinity.
ELEMENT

Observation w/
Litmus Paper

CLASSIFICATION
(BASIC/ACIDIC)

Magnesiu
m

no change

Neutral

Sulfur

no change

Neutral

Table 4. Reaction of elements with oxygen

Table 5 shows the differences in chemical properties of metals
and non-metals, based on the experimental results.

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SUBSTANCE

OBSERVATION

TYPE OF
CHANGE

Fe filings

No physical change

None

Food color

Turned black; moistened

walls of test tube

Chemical

Pink sublimation

Chemical

Both the mothballs and ribbons were solids, and sublimation

separates solids by transforming one of the substances
directly into gas form, skipping the liquid phase. The
substance sublimated was the mothball component, which
caused the vapor formed on the walls of the funnel. The
remaining components on the evaporating dish were the Mg
ribbons.
On the mixture with charcoal and food coloring,
adsorption was done. Adsorption is performed using activated
carbon (which comprises activated charcoal), is usually used
here because it is useful in attaining a large internal surface
(500- 1500 m2/g). This process was used in separating the
food coloring from the mixture. The next separation technique
used was solvent extraction. This method employs two
immiscible solvents to extract organic compounds from water
soluble compounds. The solvents used in the experiment
were iodine and hexane, labeled aqueous and hexane layers,
respectively. Once the two layers were separated by a
medicine dropper, evaporation was performed on both to
separate the solid solute from the liquid solvent, which was
the component evaporated. When evaporation was
completed, the remaining solids were the food coloring and
table salt from the aqueous and hexane layers, respectively.

NaCl

Popping sound; moistened

walls of test tube

Chemical

Part B. Analysis of the Components of the Mixture

Mg ribbon

Fireworks-like sparks

Chemical

METAL

NON-METAL

Basic

Acidic

Produces gas evolution

w/HCl

Does not produce gas evolution

w/ HCl

Table 5. Chemical Properties of Metals vs. Non-Metals

Part C. Changes of the Components of the Mixture
Reaction to heat is a useful indicator of the type of change
that occurs. Table 6 shows the observed results when the
substances in the experiment were heated.

Table 6. Reactions of substances to heat

Table 7 presents the reactions of substances with 0.1 M HCl
compared to each other
SUBSTANCE

TYPE OF CHANGE with 0.1M HCl

Iron (Fe) filings

Formation of bubbles (slower)

Mg ribbon

Formation of bubbles (faster)

Table 7. Reaction of substances with 0.1M

HCl
VI.

DISCUSSION

Part A. Physical Separation of the Components of a Mixture

As mentioned in Part I, mixtures can be separated
by physical means. The first method of separation employed
in the experiment was the magnet. Magnets attract metals,
which is why the iron (Fe) filings were separated from the rest
of the mixture when the magnet passed across the sheet of
paper they were in. The next method used was filtration.
Filtration separates solids (that are not dissolved) from liquids
by letting the liquid pass through the pores of the filtering
substance. The liquid filtered is called the filtrate, while the
remaining solid is the residue. This was the process that
separated the mothballs and magnesium (Mg) ribbons from
the charcoal and food coloring.
Afterwards, the mixture containing the mothballs and
Mg ribbons was heated in the process called sublimation.

CHEM 14.1, Characteristics of Matter

Acids react with metals to form a salt and hydrogen

gas bubbles. This proves why both Fe and Mg should have
exhibited continuous gas evolution when HCl was added to
them. Possibly, the Mg ribbon used was contaminated or not
cleaned properly, so it didnt react to the acid as it should
have.
Acids do not react with nonmetals because
nonmetals do not readily give their electrons. This makes
sense of the absence of gas formation from the naphthalene
balls and iodine when HCl was added to them.
Based on the experiment, there were no changes
observed on either blue or red litmus papers for the oxides of
both magnesium and sulfur. However, magnesium oxide is
known to be basic, while sulfur oxide is acidic. It is possible
that the litmus, being paper, had already expired or was
contaminated. It may also have been improperly stored or
used.
In summary, metals and nonmetals have opposing
properties. Metals are reactive to acids, while nonmetals are
not. Metal oxides are also basic, while nonmetal oxides are
acidic.
Part C. Changes of the Components of the Mixture
As mentioned in the Introduction, matter may
undergo physical and chemical changes. There are five
indicators of a chemical change or reaction: color, gas
formation, precipitation, odor, and temperature change.
According to the results, the Mg ribbon, food color, and I2
crystals all experience chemical changes based on the gas
formation and/or color changes they experienced. The
experimental results for these substances are the same as
the expected results. Deviations from the theoretical results

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were observed in the reaction of Fe and table salt. The iron,

when heated, should have formed orange precipitates on the
walls of the test tube, while it was table salt that should have
been unreactive. These deviations may be, again, caused by
contamination or impurities.
As for the reactions of Fe and Mg with HCl, both
additions resulted in gas formation. The bubbles formed faster
for Mg, though, indicating that Mg was the more reactive
metal.

uncontaminated. This is to ensure that the results being

obtained are going to accurate.

VII.

Silberberg, M.S. (2006). Chemistry: The molecular nature of

matter and change. (5th ed.). New York, NY:
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

GUIDE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Part B. Analysis of the Components of the Mixture

1. Among those classified as metals, which is the most
reactive with 0.1 M HCl?
Iron (only one substance was classified as a metal;
but should be Magnesium as discussed in the
discussion part of this report)
2. Completed and balanced reactions:
a.
MgO (s) + H2O
Mg(OH)2
b.

SO2 + H2O

H2SO3

IX.

REFERENCES

Brown, T.L., LeMay, H.E.J., Bursten, B.E., Murphy, C.J., &

Woodward, P.M. (2012). Chemistry: The central
science. (12th ed.). Glenview, IL: Pearson Education,
Inc.

Lenntech. (n.d.). Filtration. Retrieved from

http://www.lenntech.com/chemistry/filtration.htm
Lenntech. (n.d.). Adsorption. Retrieved from
http://www.lenntech.com/library/adsorption/adsorptio
n.htm#ixzz2oxYpS2Wr
Lal, S. (2010). Matter 02: Separation of mixtures. Retrieved
from http://www.mentorials.com/high-schoolchemistry-matter-separation-of-mixtures.htm

Part C. Changes of the Components of the Mixture

1. Based on the reaction in Table 7, which is the more
active metal?
Magnesium
2. What is the composition of the filtrate in A-3b?
Water & salt
3. Completed and balanced reactions:
a.
2Fe + 6HCl 2FeCl3 + 3H2

VIII.

b.

Mg + 2HCl MgCl2 + H2

c.

3Mg + 2FeCl3 3MgCl2 + 2Fe

The Interactive Lab Primer. (n.d.). Solvent extraction.

Retrieved from http://www.chemilp.net/labTechniques/SolventExtraction.htm
Boundless. (n.d.). Gas evolution reactions. Retrieved from
https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/aqueousreactions/acid-base-reactions/gas-evolutionreactions/
Bodner Research Web. (n.d.). Oxidation-reduction reactions.
Retrieved from
http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicrevie
w/bp/ch19/oxred_1.php

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Based from all the procedures performed, results

obtained, and information gathered from external sources by
the researchers, the following can be inferred:
1. Physical changes occur when only the phase of the
substance is changed. On the other hand, chemical
changes occur after undergoing chemical reactions.
2. Metals oxides are basic; Non-metal oxides are
acidic.
3. Metals form gas evolution with an acid, while nonmetals do not form gas evolution when mixed with
an acid.
4. Different metals have different reactivity levels.
The researchers highly recommend the next
performers of this experiment to make sure that all
substances, equipment and materials used are clean and

CHEM 14.1, Characteristics of Matter

I hereby certify that I have given substantial contribution to

this report.

Elise Angela H. Espinosa

Kyle Maxinne R. Romero

Denmirson Vivo

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