Lab Report: Experiment 1

Title: Elements, Compounds, And Mixtures

Aim:
● Understand the differences between elements, compounds, and mixtures. Also, learn several
methods used to separate one species from another in the laboratory.
Procedure: Refer to manual (Pg: 20-22)
Results:
A. Features of elements, compounds, and mixtures
Element Physical State Color Luster

Iron Solid Reddish-brown No

Sulfur Solid Yellow No

Mercury Liquid Black Yes

Magnesium Solid Gray Yes

1. (a) Describe the appearance of the mixture of iron and sulfur.

Dark Brown, Powder.
(b) What effect did the bar magnet have on this mixture?
It is affected and it follows the path/movement of the magnet path.
2. (a) Describe the appearance of the compound FeS.
Gold Brown, Solid
(b) What effect did the bar magnet have on this compound?
No effect

B. Study of a mixture and its separation

1. Indicate whether each substance below is soluble (S) or insoluble (I) in water and 6 M HCl.
Solvent Carbon Powder Magnesium Powder Sodium Chloride

Water S I S

6 M HCl S I I

2. (a) Observation upon evaporation of the water filtrate.

- Bubbles formation at the beginning which eventually dissolved.
- White solid formed
(b) Observations upon adding 6 M HCl to the residue on the filter paper.
- Few bubbles formation
- Slightly reactive.
(c) i. List the component (s) present in the mixture.
- Carbon (C) - Magnesium (Mg) - Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
ii. List the component (s) not present in the mixture.
- None
Conclusion:
Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures are different types of matter. There are multiple methods for separating
certain species from one another as described in this experiment which includes: Evaporation, Filtration,
Separation by heating as well as Crystallization.

Discussion:
As we can see in the part A of experiment, metals are mostly found in solid state and has a shiny surface
(luster). We also saw that mixtures are affected by a magnet. Whereas compounds of metal and nonmetal are
not affected.
We also saw in part B that water is the universal solvent it can dissolve most substances excluding certain
solid metals. When the evaporation process for a mixture of water with another substance is taken place,
bubbles are formed along with solid being separated. During the Filtration process most of the solid are left
behind on the filter paper only allowing liquid to pass through the funnel. Most mixtures consists of two or
more different substances combined physically hence can be separated using filtration.
While using the Bunsen burner hands must be kept away and used carefully. The experiment can be
improved by repeating the experiment multiple times allowing us to review and improve it. However
incorrect results will be achieved if the boiling water is heated for more than the time assessed.

Questions:

1. Define the following terms

a) Element: A species of atom having the same number of protons in their atomic nuclei
b) Compound: A substance formed when two or more chemical elements are chemically bonded
together
c) Mixture: A substance made by combining two or more different materials in such a way that no
chemical reaction occurs
d) Intensive property: A property of matter that does not change as the amount of matter changes

2. Indicate whether each of the following is a mixture, M, a compound, C, or an element, E.

a) Air: M
b) Blood: M
c) Milk: M
d) Nitrogen: E
e) Deionized water: C
f) Wood: M
g) Magnesium oxide: C
h) Oxygen: E

3. Sulfur does not dissolve in water, but it does dissolve in carbon disulfide; potassium nitrate does not
dissolve in carbon disulfide but does in water, and carbon does not dissolve in either of these liquids.
Using the above data, outline a process for separating these three components of gunpowder.
- KNO3 is extremely soluble in water. Charcoal (C) is insoluble in H2O and CS2.
- Extract Sulfur (S) from Gunpowder (S/C/KNO3) by shaking with Carbon Disulfide (CS2)
- Filter, and remove CS2 on a test tube then heat it with low flame/heat. Now, displace the remaining
solid on a filter paper which includes C/KNO3
- Extract Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) from KNO3/C with hot water, filter and remove water (H2O) to
give KNO3. Therefore Carbon (C) is left on filter paper now.