Experiment No.

4: Qualitative Analysis of Group II Cations – Copper and Lead Group

ABSTRACT: The laboratory experiment conducted by the researchers was about the qualitative
analysis of group II cations specifically the copper and lead group. The researchers prepared first
the reagents such as 10% NaOH and 0.50% K2Cr2O2 by engaging the percent by mass to get the
specific amount of component of the reagent. For the analysis of the copper group, the CuSo4 was
heated with alcohol lamp. Water was added, then 10% NaOH was added into the CuSo4 solution.
After that, a 2cm Magnesium ribbon was placed into CuSo4 solution. The researchers observed
the changes in every reaction. For the analysis of the lead group, the researchers prepared the
Pb(NO3)2 solution, and the 1 mL of 0.50% K2Cr2O2 and then mixed it. The researchers observed
such changes in every reactions occurred such as changed in color and appearance of precipitate.
For the copper group, they observed that the CuSo4 changed from blue to white color when it was
heated because the water content which makes the CuSo4 blue evaporated, and once the 10%
NaOH was diluted, it was observed that blue precipitate appeared which specifically the Cu(OH)2.
Moreover, they observed bubbles as the magnesium ribbon reacted to the CuSO4 and black
particles formed which is the pure copper. For the lead group, yellow precipitate or the PbCr2O7.
Thus, during the changes that happened during the experiment, alterations of molecular structures
of elements happened resulting into various and new characteristics of the new substance that was
created from the mixture, this was all possible through mixing and dissolving capacity of a solvent-
solubility.

Angelica V. Hipolito, Maegan M. Prado, Group 2, 12:00 noon-6:00 pm, Saturday, E618, BSED
SC 1-1, Department of Education, Department of Science, Polytechnic University of the
Philippines. To be submitted on February 16, 2018,at E618, College of Science, Polytechnic
University of the Philippines.

Introduction

Solubility is a chemical property which refers to the ability of a given substance, a solute
to dissolve in a solvent. This is measured in terms of maximum amount of solute dissolved in a
solvent. Moreover, this capability is also influenced by factors such as: temperature and pressure,
through solubility new substances could be created having different characteristics from its parent
element the said, and this variation was presented in the experiment : Solubility of Group II
namely: Copper Sulfate and Lead Nitrate, compounds that are soluble in water.

The qualitative analysis is the method of determining the chemical composition of a sample
that bound to a set of analytical chemistry techniques that provides non-numerical information
such as the changes in color, melting point, odor, reactivity, radioactivity, boiling point, bubble
production, and precipitation in any methods involving distillation, extraction, precipitation,
chromatography and spectroscopy. Also, it typically involved in distinguishing the presence of an
element in a solution or detecting the anions and cations. Furthermore, the identity of the present
metal ions at a time under a given sets of conditions until it all precipitated. (“Qualitative cation
analysis, n.d.)

This experiment aims to determine the changes in color in every solution as well as its
precipitation and the reaction involved between the chemical solutions among Group II cations.
Methodology

a) Reagents

The reagents used during the laboratory experiment were 10grains (0.647989 gram) of
CuSO4 *5H20, 10 grains (0.647989 gram) of Pb(NO3)2, 1 mL of 0.50% K2Cr2O7 solution, 1 ml of
0.50% Na2SO4 solution, and 2 cm Magnesium Ribbon.

Reagents Amount/Concentration

10grains (0.647989 gram)

Copper Sulfate

10 grains (0.647989 gram)

Lead Nitrate

2 cm

Magnesium Ribbon
 1 mL of 0.50% K2Cr2O7

Potassium Dichromate

Table 1. Reagents used in the laboratory experiment.

b. Equipments and Apparatus

The researchers used apparatuses for preparation such as the pipet for measuring
volume, stirring rod for mixing, and beakers that served as containers of the reagents.
During the laboratory experiment the researchers used an alcohol lamp for the heating
of CuSO4, test tube holder for holding the test tube upon heating and test tubes that
served as the containers of the mixtures for observation.

c. Personal Protective Equipment

The researchers were dealing with heavy metal group of elements, consequently,
they wore proper PPE to avoid unnecessary incidents. They wore laboratory gown
which is necessary inside the laboratory. They wore gloves as well to avoid possible
contamination to specific chemicals. Moreover, gloves will possibly protect them
against possible chemical exposures. On the other hand, wearing of mask protected
them from inhaling the reagent that might can cause a disease or worse scenario, death.

d. Experimental Procedure

1. Preparation for Copper Sulfate Solution

The researchers transferred 10grains (0.647989 gram) of CuSO4 *5H20 in a test

tube. Heat the test tube until the grains changes color. After heating, add 3 mL of
distilled water in the test tube and dissolve the grains of CuSO4.

2. CuSO4 with 2 cm Mg ribbon

The researchers got another test tube and transferred 10 grains (0.647989
gram) of CuSO4 *5H20 dissolve in 2 mL distilled water and place 2 cm Magnesium
Ribbon. Record color changes and other noticeable reactions. Write the reaction
involved.
 3. Preparation for Lead Solution

The researchers dissolved 10 grains of Pb(No3)2 in 5mL of distilled water

in a test tube.
4. Lead nitrate solution with K2Cr2O7

The researchers obtain add 1 mL of 0.50% K2Cr2O7 solution. Record the

color change. Write the reaction involved.

5. Lead Nitrate solution with Na2SO4

The researchers got test tube, add 1 mL of 0.50% Na2SO4 solution. Record
the color change. Write the reaction involved.

6. Calculations
In preparation of the reagents used during the laboratory experiment, the
researchers computed for the mass of solute to describe the specific amount of
component to be mixed as a solution with water. The formula they used to
compute for the mass of the solute was the percent by mass.

𝑤 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒
(𝑤) % = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 100

In the laboratory manual, the mass percent was specified. They determined
the mass of solute by deriving the formula (see Appendix). They assumed that 1
mL of water is equivalent to 1 g of water. The specific amount of water component
was added to the mass of solute or the mass of the specific reagent to serve as a
solution.

Results and Discussions

The researchers observed the results from the laboratory experiment and discussed it in this
section. The researchers used qualitative analysis as a method to further discussed reactions among
Group II cation (Copper Arsenic group) as well as the observed solid formation from the
precipitation.

a. Copper

The CuSO4*H2O was not available in the laboratory storage which possibly had an
affecting factor. Instead, the researchers prepared 10 grains of CuSO4 in a test tube. While
heating, turned from blue to white the color of the grains of CuSO4. In comparison with
CuSO4*H2O, the color changed as well from blue to white. That’s because the water
evaporated from CuSO4; CuSO4 after heating is known as ahydrous blue copper (II) sulfate.
As water added to anhydrous blue copper (II) sulfate after cooling, the color changed from
white to blue again. This is called as reversible reaction. (“Anhydrous copper sulfate, n.d.)
CuSO4.5H2O ⇌ CuSO4+ 5H2O

In the process of heating, the copper sulfate and water molecules change in color
because the heat breaks the bonds between it. You will see that the researchers used
CuSO4 only and yet the color changed from blue to white as well (see Figure 2). The
CuSO4 was left on an open air before heating so it soak the moisture from the air.
However, after adding 3mL of water into it, there is no reaction happened because the
error affecting this experiment is the availability of the chemical needed in the
experiment.

Figure 1. Heating the CuSO4 Figure 2. After heating

Moreover, the blue copper (II) sulfate is a crystalline that composed of positively
charged metal ions and negatively charged ions. One of the reasons why crystalline
hydrates is that they are highly water-soluble compounds. This crystalline is a special
environment which consists of water molecules. As heat incorporated, the water is slowly
evaporated or being concentrated causing the ions gather together and form crystals.
(“Anhydrous copper sulfate, n.d.)

The researchers prepared another test tube with 10 grains of CuSO4, then was
dissolved in 2 mL of distilled water. After that, they transferred the 2 cm of magnesium
ribbon in the test tube with CuSO4 with water. The researchers observed bubbles as the
magnesium ribbon reacted to the CuSO4 and black particles formed.
 Figure 3. CuSO4 with Mg Ribbon

According to Luetgens (2016), single replacement reaction caused an element

reacts with the corresponding element in a compound, which makes: CuSO4(aq)+ Mg(s)
⇌ MgSO4(aq) + Cu(s). Moreover, the ionic equation shows the dissociation of the ions in
the solution. Through which the sulfate ions did not react but remain solution. However,
the copper ions became copper atom, whilst the magnesium atoms became magnesium ions
as shown in the ionic equation below. (Luetgens, 2016)

b. Lead

The researchers dissolved 10 grains of Pb(NO3)2 in 5 mL of water for the whole

class. A 1 mL of 0.50% of K2Cr2O7 was added to the Pb(NO3)2. At first, the solution
changed to yellow in color. In figure 4, there were observed yellow precipitate after 3
minutes. The yellow precipitate formed was the PbCr2O7. The reaction is written as:
Pb(NO3)2(aq) + K2Cr2O7(aq) → PbCr2O7(s) + 2 KNO3(aq)

Figure 4. Yellow precipitate appeared

This precipitation reactions are the process of exchanging reactions that happen
among ionic compounds when the other product is insoluble. Sometimes they called it
 double-displacement reactions as both components of each compound exchange partners.
The important uses of precipitation process are to cause an isolation of metals that have
been extracted from their metals and to mend valuable metals for reutilizing as well.
(Halpern, Johnson & Sinex, 2016).

The researchers prepared 0.50% Na2SO4 and dissolved it in 1ml distilled water in
the test tube. They observed the changes. It turns out into a white precipitate after 3 minutes
(see Figure . Double displacement reaction occured, with Pb(NO3)2 precipitating out of
solution, it being almost insoluble in water The white precipitate formed was the PbSO4.
This reaction is written as:
Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + Na2SO4 (aq) → PbSO4 (s) + 2NaNO3 (aq)

Figure 5. Pb(NO3)2 solution Figure 6. White precipitate appeared

Just like the PbCr2O7, the PbSO4 resulted as the precipitation reaction. Sometimes
they called it double-displacement reactions as both components of each compound
exchange partners.

Summary

In the analysis of the copper group, the researchers observed that the blue copper (II) sulfate
turned to white as it was heated under the alcohol lamp for the reason that the moisture content or
the water content evaporated. Moreover, the anhydrous copper (II) sulfate should be turn to blue
again once the water added to it, however, it turned to white instead due to the unavailability of
the CuSO4*H2O. In the other hand, as 10% NaOH was then added into the CuSO4 solution, copper
(II) hydroxide appeared as precipitate (blue precipitate) in the fact that diluting NaOH in metal
ions causing it to form metal hydroxides that are insoluble. Further, the 2 cm of magnesium ribbon
was then added into another dissolved 5 grains of CuSO4, a bubbles and black particles was
observed specifically the pure copper, and this was because of the ionic equation or reaction
occurred. In the analysis of lead group, the researchers used the reagent of Pb(NO3)2 and a 1 mL
of 0.50% of K2Cr2O7 that was added to lead solution. The color of its solution turned into yellow
and after a while it formed a yellow precipitate. In fact, precipitation reactions occurred in such a
way exchanging reactions happen among ionic compounds when the other product is insoluble.
 For the future researchers, it is recommended to use the specific reagent needed in a
laboratory experiment to avoid further error or miscalculation and to obtain the precise outcome
for this study. Moreover, it is recommended to conduct another experiment with group II cations
other than copper and lead group.

Acknowledgement
The researchers would like to express their gratitude,
To Almighty God, for this successful experiment and thank you for your guidance and
help.
To Professor Jeremiah Pedral, to inform us the precautions and the possibility effects of
this experiment.
To Maegan Prado, for motivation to do this lab report.
To the students and staff in CS Laboratory, for letting the researchers borrow the
laboratory instruments and teaching the researchers on how to use properly and how to take
care the different equipment and apparatuses they need for the experiment; and lastly
To the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, for allowing the researchers to use the
laboratory to do the laboratory experiment.

References

Thevendran, A. (n.d.). Classifying Chemical Reactions. Retrieved from

http://www.academia.edu/22572429/Classifying_Chemical_Reactions.

Qualitative Cation Analysis Retrieved from

https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/General_Chemistry/Map%3A_General_Chemis
try_(Petrucci_et_al.)/18%3A_Solubility_and_Complex-
Ion_Equilibria/18.9%3A_Qualitative_Cation_Analysis.

Loader, C.E. (2004). Chapter 4 Reactions in Aqueous Solutions. Retrieved from

http://www.mun.ca/chem/1010/notes/Chapter_4web.PDF.

Luetegens. (2016). Part G — Oxidation-reduction and Single Displacement Reactions. Retrieved

from http://dluetgens.com/userfiles/abc_files/lab%201%20section%20G%20answers.pdf.

McAdam, G. (2017). Quora How will lead nitrate react with sodium sulfate. Retrieved from
https://www.quora.com/How-will-lead-nitrate-react-with-sodium-sulfate

Appendix

The following calculations are presented as for preparation of reagents that were used throughout
the the laboratory experiment.

a. Preparation for 10% Pb(NO3)

𝑤 0.05 𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝐾2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7
( )= 𝑥 10 𝑚𝑙 = 0.05 𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝐾2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7
𝑥 100 𝑚𝑙
 𝑤 0.50 𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑁𝑎2 𝑆𝑂4
( )= 𝑥 10 𝑚𝑙 = 0.05 𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑁𝑎2 𝑆𝑂4
𝑣 100 𝑚𝑙

Angelica V. Hipolito
15/02/09

Maegan M. Prado
15/02/09