Identifying Chemical

change

by

Lilyana Metodieva

28/01/17
Aim:
The purpose of this lab practical is to observe and identify if
chemical reaction has taken place during the experiment.

Introduction:
Matter exist in nature in specific form and when this form is
changed on molecular level usually through making or breaking
bonds between atoms a new substance occurs and chemical
change is present. The substances that go into a chemical
reaction are called the reactants, and the substances produced at
the end of the reaction are known as the products. The products
usually have changed appearance and the chemical change its
difficult to reverse or sometimes impossible. Another sign for
chemical reaction is that energy is given out or taken in. When a
reaction gives out heat energy is exothermic and when absorbs
heat energy is endothermic. Examples for chemical reactions are
the rust building up around iron e.g. iron needle - 4 Fe + 6 H 2O +
3 O2 4 Fe(OH)3 and propane burned in the air or oxygen and the
products carbon dioxide and water C 3H8 + 5 O2
3 CO2 + 4 H2O. (Antoine.frostburg.edu, 2017)
Matter can go through many different changes from one state to
another e.g. liquid to ice, from ice to steam Although change has
occurred the molecular structure stays the same therefore this
change its a physical change. In these changes, no chemical
bonds are broken or formed. Properties for physical changes
include odor, color, density, solubility, boiling point and melting
point, and its physical state at room temperature and they can be
observed in order a physical reaction to be identified. (Anon,
2017)
Chemical reaction can be recognized if special signs are observed
during a reaction. They vary from change in color, change in
smell- food is rotting and gas is produced, formation of bubbles/
gas with fizzing sound is present, change in temperature, change
in mass, formation of participate. The shells of mussels and clams
are participates result of a chemical change involving substances
in seawater combining with substances from the creatures.

Experim Plastic lid NaOH (Clipartbest.com, 2017)

ent 1

50 degrees HCl (Clipartbest.com, 2017)

thermometer

measuring
cylinder
funnel
beaker
polystyrene cup
dropper

Experim beaker CuSO4 (Clipartbest.com, 2017)

ent 2

100 degrees
Mg magnesium powder
thermometer (Google.co.uk, 2017)
spatula
filter paper
funnel
measuring
cylinder
glass rod

Experim beaker NaHCO3 (Clipartbest.com, 2017)

ent 3

50 degrees C6H8O7 (Clipartbest.com, 2017)

thermometer

plastic lid
spatula
 measuring
cylinder
dropper

Experim crucible and lid

Mg magnesium ribbon
ent 4 (Google.co.uk, 2017)
crucible tongs
digital weight
scale
Bunsen burner and
tripod
Pipe clay triangle
Procedure:

Experiment 1
Dilute hydrochloric acid was placed in measuring cylinder with
a funnel on top and 10 cm3 were measured. Dropper was used
to remove the excess so the lower meniscus level was sitting
on the correct line through observation at eye level.
Polystyrene cup was placed in a beaker and the solution was
poured inside.
Plastic lid was put on top of the polystyrene cup and 50
Degrees thermometer was inserted in the middle of the lid and
the temperature was recorded.
10 cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution was measured in
measuring cylinder with funnel on top ensuring lower meniscus
is on correct line.
the solution was poured into the polystyrene cup.
Gentle stir was applied with the thermometer and the
temperature was recorded.

Experiment 2
Polystyrene cup was placed in a beaker.
Copper sulphate solution was poured in measuring cylinder
with funnel on top and 10 cm3 were measured. Dropper was
used to add solution so the lower meniscus level was sitting on
the correct line through observation at eye level.
The correct amount of solution was poured inside the
polystyrene cup and lid was placed and a 100 Degrees
thermometer was inserted in the middle.
Initial temperature was recorded.
2 spatulas with magnesium powder were added to the
polystyrene cup and gentle stir with the thermometer was
applied to the solution and the temperature was recorded.
One more spatula with magnesium powder was added to the
polystyrene cup whit solution, gentle stir was applied with the
thermometer and the temperature was recorded.
Filter paper was folded in half and was inserted inside a funnel
and the funnel inside a beaker.
The solution was poured inside the funnel in order to be
filtered.

Experiment 3
Polystyrene cup was placed in a beaker.
Sodium hydrogen carbonate solution was poured in measuring
cylinder with funnel on top and 10 cm3 were measured.
Dropper was used to remove the excess so the lower meniscus
level was sitting on the correct line through observation at eye
level.
The correct amount of solution was poured inside the
polystyrene cup, lid was placed and 50 Degrees thermometer
was inserted in the middle.
The initial temperature was recorded.
1 spatula of citric acid was added to the solution inside the
beaker.
Gentle stir was applied with the thermometer.
One more spatula 2nd of citric acid was added to the solution.
Gentle stir was applied with the thermometer.
One more spatula 3rd of citric acid was added to the solution.
Gentle stir was applied with the thermometer.
Temperature was recorded.

Experiment 4

Crucible with lid was measured digital weight scale.

Magnesium ribbon with 10 cm length was loosely coiled and
placed in a crucible.
The mass of the crucible was measured with the magnesium
ribbon inside.
The lid of the crucible was measured separately
Crucible with lid and magnesium ribbon inside were placed on
top of a tripod with triangle and a Bunsen burner was lid.
The crucible was heated for 5-10 minutes.
The lid was lifted with the crucible tongs on intervals in order
oxygen to get inside the crucible
After the glowing was ceased the crucible was left to cool
The mass of the crucible was measured once more and the
results were noted.
Precautions

Personal safety
Lab coat was worn during the experiment to prevent spillage of
chemicals and damage of skin and clothes.
Loose hair was tied ensuring prevention of accidents.
Eye goggles were worn to prevent chemical damage of the
retina.
Environmental precautions
Adequate space was allocated minimizing the accidents due to
limit space
No running was allowed during the practical lowering the
chance of trips and falls.
When not in use the Bunsen burner flame was turned to emit
yellow flame in order to be visible, so burns to be prevented.
Procedural precautions
 The lower meniscus was always measured at eye level ensuring
correct measurement of the amount that was needed.
A dropper was used to establish ease and correctness in the
measurement of the solutions.
The polystyrene cup was always placed inside a beaker
ensuring thermal protection and stability.
The polystyrene cup and beaker were tilted in order the head of
the thermometer to be submerged fully.
The thermometer was hold at the top and straight in the tilted
polystyrene cup ensuring correct measurement of the
temperature.
The lid of the crucible was raised a little securing correct and
accurate measurement of the mass.

Observation data

Experiment 1 Initial temperature 27.0 C

Final temperature 19.5 C

Experiment 2 Initial temperature 19.0C

Final temperature 32.0 C
Initial colour blue
Final colour clear, transparent
During the reaction fizzing sound was heard and
small bubbles were observed
Experiment 3 Initial temperature 20.0 C
Final temperature 18.0 C
 During the reaction fizzing sound was heard and
small bubbles were observed.
Experiment 4 Mass of crucible and lid 21.98g
Mass of lid 9.86g
Initial mass of crucible, lid 22.18g
and magnesium
Final mass of crucible, lid 22.25g
and magnesium oxide
During the reaction, little air was let in the crucible
and bright light was emitted from the
magnesium oxide.

Analysis

Experiment 1

From the data observed an increase in temperature of 7.5

Degrees was measured 27C 19.5C = 7.5C therefore the
reaction was giving out heat energy. Hydrochloric
acid reacts with sodium hydroxide to form salts and water. This is
called neutralization reaction. Every neutralization reaction is a
double displacement reaction which means one element
exchanges ions with other and form new compounds. HCl + NaOH
NaCl + H2O
Strong Base NaOH with pH=14 and HCl with pH=1 are reacting
with each other and a neutral salt NaCl and neutral compound
H2O is formed, because both strong chemicals are neutralizing
each other. (Ingram, 1987)
Experiment 2

From the data observed an increase in temperature of 7 Degrees

was measured. 32 C 19 C = 7 C Therefore the reaction
was giving out heat energy.
Change in colour was observed because the atoms of the reactive
magnesium give away electrons.
Mg(s) (silvery metal atoms) Mg2+(aq) (colourless soluble metal
ions) + 2e.
The ions of the less reactive copper are forced to accept these
electrons
Cu2+(aq) (blue ions) + 2e- Cu(s) (brown metal powder)
Mg + CuSO4 MgSO4 + Cu
Therefore, this is a displacement reaction because the less
reactive element is removed from the compound and replaced by
the more reactive element. Bbc.co.uk. (2017)

Experiment 3

From the data observed decrease in temperature of 2 Degrees

was measured. Initial temperature minus final
20C 18C = 2 C degrees therefore the reaction was taking in
heat energy.
During the reaction, small gas bubbles were observed because
one of the products of this process is CO2 gas and it will leave the
reaction mixture. C6H5Na3O7 is soluble salt and H2O water.
3 NaHCO3 + C6H8O7 C6H5Na3O7 + 3 CO2 + 3 H2O
Experiment 4

From the data observed an increase in mass was measured. The

initial mass of the crucible and substance deducted from the final
mass of the crucible and lid and the new substance:
Initial mass deducted from final mass 22.25 g 22.18 g = 0.07 g
The measurement of the mass is close to the initial mass
therefore comply with the Law of Conservation of mass that
states that during chemical reaction mass is never lost or gained
or it stays close to the initial mass.
The magnesium oxides to form magnesium oxide. During the
reaction, a bright light was emitted within the crucible due to the
rapid heating of the magnesium, because it absorbs energy
through ionisation. Magnesium ionises to become a cation while
oxygen ionises to an anion forming an anionic bond. (Topics,
Sample Papers & Articles Online for Free, 2017)
2Mg + O2 2MgO

Conclusion

Experiment 1

The rise in temperature is a marker for exothermic reaction and

the formation of new substance are signs that chemical reaction
has taken place.

Experiment 2
The rise in temperature is a sign for exothermic reaction and the
change in colour are signs that chemical change has occurred
during the experiment.

Experiment 3

The presence of gas emitted during the experiment and the

endothermic reaction observed are signs for chemical reaction.

Experiment 4

A new substance is produced during the reaction and the

measurement of the mass was close to the reactant weigh which
is with accordance with the Law of conservation of mass, in
addition the bright light emitted within the crucible proved that
chemical reaction has taken place.

Evaluation
Experiment 1 was valid and correct because an increase in
temperature was detected. The heat loss was prevented from the
plastic lid used to cover the solution. The plastic cup inside a
beaker was hold tilted in order the thermometer head to be
submerged completely on the other hand the thermometer was
hold for the top to prevent differences in the final result. Although
these precautions were taken the investigation could be improved
with the use of ring stand to avoid manual holding of the beaker
and cup. This will allow the use test tube that will avoid mistakes
from improper handling technique.
Experiment 2 was valid and correct because an increase in
temperature was detected and correct manual technique was
followed. Although the investigation could be improved with the
use ring stand and test tube to avoid mistakes from manual
handling and to allow clear observation of the indicators of
chemical change. The experiment could be extended further with
measurement of the Initial measurement of magnesium powder
and the final mass after the reaction if a different apparatus is
used that allow drainage of the liquid without loss of mass.
Experiment 3 was valid and correct because decrease in
temperature was measured the manual technique used could be
improved if a ring stand and test tube are used to avoid errors
and to ease the observation of the chemical reaction that was
taking place, because in order the beaker to be hold steady and
the thermometer to be hold on eye level a lot of concentration
and skills were needed.
Experiment 4 was valid and correct because the mass of the
product was very close to the initial mass detected that is with
accordance with the Law of mass conservation. During the
experiment the lid of the crucible was lifted with tongs little, only
enough to allow oxygen for the reaction to take place. This
manual technique is prone to errors. The lid was dropped during
the current experiment therefore this was a factor more
substance to escape and allow loss of mass. The error could be
improved with practice handling the lid with tongs.

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