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For the rst reaction, the amounts of the reactants are equal,
so the reaction is stoichiometric. For the second reaction,
Cu(NO3)2 is the limiting reagent.
PRELABORATORY EXERCISES
This is the rst experiment of the semester; therefore, one week
before this experiment, students go through a safety training
and watch a demonstration performed by the instructors in the
laboratory for a total of two hours. The details of the
prelaboratory exercises are explained elsewhere.6
Published: November 20, 2013
1668
Laboratory Experiment
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Overview
Na2CO3/
(mS/cm)
4.1
7.3
10.0
13.1
14.9
17.8
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.7
0.5
0.3
Cu(NO3)2/
(mS/cm)
3.3
6.3
9.4
13.2
14.1
17.0
0.1
0.4
0.2
1.0
0.5
0.2
after rxn/
(mS/cm)
2.2
4.1
5.8
7.6
9.3
11.4
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.3
Preparation of Solutions
= 98
mS
[NaNO3]
cm M
(3)
Precipitation Reactions
[NaNO3] =
HAZARDS
Skin protection is necessary while using NaOH and Cu(NO3)2
solutions. Sodium hydroxide is caustic and causes burns to any
area of contact. Leftover Cu(NO3)2 solutions and all mixtures
are collected in waste containers at the end of the experiment.
The Cu(NO3)2 solution is precipitated using Na2CO3 and
reused for other purposes. The mixtures are ltered and the
solid is collected for reuse for other purposes. Leftover
solutions of NaOH and Na2CO3 go down the drain.
[Cu(NO3)2 ] VCu(NO3)2 2
VCu(NO3)2 + VNa 2CO3
[Na 2CO3] VNa 2CO3 2
VCu(NO3)2 + VNa 2CO3
(4)
OBSERVATIONS
Students are asked to note down the color of the solutions and
the precipitates. For the preparation of Cu(NO3)2 solutions by
dilution of 2.0 M Cu(NO3)2, the students are expected to
notice the eect of dilution on the color of Cu(NO3)2 solution.
For precipitation reactions of eq 1 and eq 2, the students can
clearly see the turquoise color of solid CuCO3 and the blue
Cu(OH)2, respectively, and the remaining clear solution. We
1669
Laboratory Experiment
after rxn/
(mS/cm)
Eq 3a/
(mS/cm)
Percent
Error (%)
2.0
3.9
5.9
7.8
9.8
11.8
10
5
2
3
5
3
2.2
4.1
5.8
7.6
9.3
11.4
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.3
DISCUSSION
Students discuss the possible sources of error in their lab
reports. Most of them mention the uncertainty of volume,
mass, and conductivity measurements. A few of them mention
the assumptions made during the theoretical determination of
conductivity values. The students also discuss the reason why
their calculated values from eq 5 are larger than the measured
conductivity data for the precipitation reactions. The answer of
80% of the students is that the number of free ions decrease
during these precipitation reactions.
Eq 5b/
(mS/cm)
3.7
6.8
9.7
13.2
14.5
17.4
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.6
0.4
0.2
SUMMARY
During the lab period, students learn how to prepare solutions,
and then by mixing these solutions, they observe precipitate
formation. The choice of the chemicals is such that colorful
precipitates form and the remaining solution is clear. To follow
the precipitation reactions, the conductivity of solutions is
measured before and after the reaction. While writing the lab
report, students learn to write and practice writing balanced
equations, to perform stoichiometric calculations, and to
calculate conductivity values for the reaction mixtures.
after rxn/
(mS/cm)
Eq 6a/
(mS/cm)
Percent
Error (%)
24.2
21.9
19.7
17.4
15.1
12.8
4.1
3
12
5
9.3
2
25.2
22.5
22.1
18.3
16.5
13.0
0.4
1.0
0.9
1.3
1.8
0.8
Eq 5b/
(mS/cm)
28.2
29.7
31.2
33.1
33.6
35.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.1
1.0
1.0
* Supporting Information
REFERENCES
(1) Ricci, R. W.; Ditzler, M. A. Discovery Chemistry: A LaboratoryCentered Approach to Teaching General Chemistry. J. Chem. Educ.
1991, 68, 228231.
(2) Blake, B. Solubility Rules: Three Suggestions for Improved
Understanding. J. Chem. Educ. 2003, 80, 13481350.
(3) DeMeo, S. Using Limiting-Excess Stoichiometry to Introduce
Equilibrium Calculations: A Discrepant Event Laboratory Activity
Involving Precipitation Reactions. J. Chem. Educ. 2002, 79, 474475.
(4) Randall, J. Advanced Chemistry with Vernier; Vernier Software &
Technology: Beaverton, OR, 2004; p 161.
(5) Baksa, K. Advanced Chemistry with Vernier (Jack Randall). J.
Chem. Educ. 2007, 84, 1611.
(6) Eslek, Z.; Tulpar, A. Solution Preparation and Conductivity
Measurements: An Experiment for Introductory Chemistry. J. Chem.
Educ. 2013, No. 10.1021/ed300593t.
(7) The students are asked where they have seen this compound in
daily life and some of them mentioned old copper Turkish coee pots
and some mentioned the Statue of Liberty.
53 mS
mS
[NaNO3] +
[NaOH]excess
0.25 cm M
cm M
(6)
AUTHOR INFORMATION
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