accelerated chemistry lab report

Copper (II)
Hydroxide
Synthesis
Boya Praewa Eian Tonnam 1108/10
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
3 Abstract

4 Introduction

8 Experimental

11 Results

13 Discussion

17 Conclusion

18 Suggestion and error

19 References
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Abstract
This experiment was conducted to find out the actual yield of the
product received from the chemical reaction. The use of gravitational
filtration is to separate non soluble copper hydroxide from soluble
byproduct. This experiment is separated into two sections, each with
different concentrations of NaOH. In the first solution, copper sulfate
pentahydrate (solution A) were mixed with 0.2 g of NaOH (solution B)
forming a turquoise precipitation. In the second solution, copper sulfate
pentahydrate (solution A) were mixed with 0.6 g of NaOH (solution C)
resulting in blue precipitation. For both solutions resulted in different
product. The percentage yield could be further calculated by finding
limiting reagent and actual yield inorder to start the calculation. The
product percentage yield for the first solution is 102.5% and 96.272% for
second solution. All in all, we were able to reach the objective of this
experiment by getting the closest amount of actual yield to theoretical
yield. However, the first solution product yield resulted in more than
100% which meant an error might have occurred during the experiment.
This may be due to the fact that, as we had to double layer the filter
paper because it was ripped, the papers were not arranged appropriately
causing some of the solid product to leak into the beaker.
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Introduction
In order to grasp the idea of the magnitude of something, a unit is
necessary. For example, the mass of an object is measured in grams, the
height or length of something is measured in meters, and the acidity of a
substance is measured in pH. Similarly, quantities of atoms and molecules
are measured in moles. Mole, also spelled as mol, is the standard unit of the
amount of substance in chemistry. Since moles is the measure of very small
entities, it is impossible to measure one. In order to find the mole, it must be
calculated. One of the ways to calculate it is by dividing the number of
atoms/ molecules in the substance by Avogadro’s number (6.02*10^23).
The Avogadro’s number represents the number of atoms/ molecules in one
mole, named after the scientist Amedeo Avogadro. Furthermore, with this
formula, if the mole of the substance is known, the number of molecules/
atoms in the substance could be calculated by multiplying its mole by
Avogadro’s constant.Another way to find mole is by dividing the mass of
the substance with its molecular mass, the mole of the substance could be
achieved. A molecular mass is the average mass of a molecule compared
to 1/12 the mass of carbon-12. It is also known as the mass of one molecule
in one mole. On the other hand, by multiplying the mole of the substance
by its molecular mass, its theoretical yield from the reaction could be
found.
A theoretical yield is the theoretical amount of product from a reaction.
Meanwhile, the actual amount we acquire from the reaction is called the
actual yield. For an actual yield to be equal to be equal to the theoretical
yield, a great amount of skills and a controlled environment is needed. An
actual yield is normally less than its theoretical yield as some parts of the
product might be lost somewhere during the experiment. However, if the
actual yield is more than its theoretical yield, it means that there are
impurities in the product.
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Introduction
Our lab involved two different experiments. In both experiments, copper (II)
oxide pentahydrate and sodium hydroxide are involved.
Copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate is a bright blue crystalline solid with five
water molecules attached. This compound is also known as blue vitriol. Its
molecular formula is CuSO4·5H2O and has a molecular weight of 249.69
grams per mol. As small crystals or powder, its melting point is 110°C. It has
an unpleasant metallic taste that may cause nausea but is odorless.
Although it is bright blue as a hydrate, it becomes when dehydrated.
The copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate is emetic. This means that it can be
used as a medicine that causes vomiting. This is useful in emergent cases
of poisoning as it could empty the stomach before the toxins could be
absorbed into the bloodstream and cause any further harm. Moreover, it is
also used as an antidote for phosphorus poisoning and preventing the
growth of algae.
Copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate is corrosive and could cause irritation.
Furthermore, it is also a hazard to the environment.
Another compound we used was sodium hydroxide. It is a basic
compound and is corrosive. It can severely irritate the skin and eyes, as well
as mucous membranes. It has a molecular formula of NaOH. Sodium
hydroxide is also known as caustic soda and sodium hydrate. It has a
molecular weight of 39.997 grams per mol. Since it is an alkali metal
hydroxide, it has a basic nature. At room temperature, NaOH appears to be
white crystals with no odor. It is also able to absorb moisture from the air.
When dissolved in water or neutralized, an exothermic reaction occurs.
This compound is very useful, as it is used in the manufacture of soap,
paper, and explosives. Moreover, it is also used in the processes of making
cotton fabric, bleaching, metal cleaning, and electroplating.
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Introduction
One of the techniques we used in this experiment was the paper filtration
technique. A filter paper is a semipermeable paper. This means that it only
allows some things to pass through it. Larger particles wouldn’t be able to
pass through the small holes while smaller particles would be able to. In
order to separate the precipitate formed in the solution, filtration was used.
By separating the product from water, its actual yield could then be
measured.
We started by measuring the weight of the filter paper. This is because after
filtration, the product would stick to the filter paper. By subtracting the
mass of the dried product on the filter paper by the mass of the filter paper,
a more accurate mass of the product would be achieved. Then, we folded
the paper into sixteen equal parts, then put it in a funnel. By folding it, the
paper would be able to better fit the funnel. After that, we poured small
amounts of distilled on the filter paper. This helped it stick to the funnel,
decreasing the chance of our product to leak through the filter paper. By
slowly pouring the solution into the funnel, the solution is filtered. The
precipitate would remain on top of the filter paper while water would drip
through the paper to the beaker below.
Once most of the water had been separated from the product, the filter
paper is then washed with ethanol to help get rid of as much water as
possible. Finally, the filter paper was carefully removed from the funnel and
put into an oven to completely get rid of water in the product, allowing us
to get an accurate measuring of the mass of the product.
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Introduction
The objectives of this experiment are to be able to determine the limiting
and excess reagent and calculate the percentage yield of each reaction.
Additionally, our aim is to get the closest amount of actual yield to
theoretical yield.
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Experimental
Chemicals & laboratory equipment:
CuSO4 solution (solution A 2.5 g of CuSO4 . 5H2O in 50 ml of water)
NaOH solution (Solution B 0.2 g of NaOH in 25 ml of water)
NaOH solution (Solution C 0.6 g of NaOH in 25 ml of water)
100 mL beaker
50 mL graduated cylinder
Stirring rod
Filter paper
Weighing paper
Spatula
Watch glass
Funnel
Ring stand & clamp
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Flowchart
Preparation of solution A, B, C

Solution A
Weight 2.5 g of CuSO4 . 5H2O
Dissolve it in 50 mL of water
Stir for 2-3 minutes by using a stirring rod

Solution B
Weight 0.2 g of NaOH
Dissolve it in 25 mL of water
Stir for 2-3 minutes by using a stirring rod

Solution C
Weight 0.6 g of NaOH
Dissolve it in 25 mL of water
Stir for 2-3 minutes by using a stirring rod
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Flowchart
Synthesis of Cu(OH)2

Mix 50 mL of solution A to 25 mL of
Day 1 solution B
Stir around 2-3 minutes
Weight filter paper
Record the weight
Separate solid product of the solution by
paper filtration method
Rinse the solid product with 10 mL of
distilled water
Clean filtered solid residue with 10 mL of
distilled water 2 times to remove Na2SO4
salt
Clean filtered solid residue again with 10
mL of ethanol
Remove filtered paper
Dry overnight in the oven
Repeat the process again but with solution
C instaed of solution B

Day 2
Weight mass of filter paper and solid product
Calculate the % yield
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Results
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Results
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Discussion
From the experiment, the solution in the beaker had a different colour. In
the first reaction solution (A+B), the solution had a turquoise colour and
the second reaction solution (A+C), the solution had a dark blue colour.
The fact that both solutions had different colour is because both solutions
have different excess reagent. From our observation, the colour of solution
A is blue but both solution B and C are clear. After the filtration, solution
A+B still have the same colour but the colour of solution A+C is clear which
could be determined that the filtration is going well unlike solution A+B
that end up turquoise colour in the beaker.
Before we do the calculations, the equation must be balanced in order to
follow the law of conservation of mass. As so the right and balanced
equation would be

CuSO4*5H2O (aq) + 2 NaOH (aq) → Na2SO4 (aq) + Cu(OH)2 (s) + 5 H2O (l)
As so that the maximum amount that the product would be produced will be
determined by limiting reagent. The limiting reagent is the reactant that is
completely used up in the reaction. And so to find the theoretical yield and
the actual percentage yield.
From the lab, we have been assigned 3 chemical solution. Solution A, B and
C which are 2.5 g of Copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate dissolved in 50 mL of
water, 0.2 g of Sodium hydroxide dissolved in 25 mL of water and 0.6g of
Sodium hydroxide dissolved in 25 mL of water respectively.
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Discussion
As so we did 2 experiments between solution A + B and solution A +
C.Because of that both solution B and C are the same solutions but only
different in weight, we could use the same equation for both the reaction
(A+B and A+C).
Calculations:
A( Copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate)+B(Sodium hydroxide)
Calculate the mole of copper(II) sulfate:
Mol = g / Mw
= 2.5 / [63.546+32.065+4(15.999)+5(2)(1.008)+5(15.999)]
= 2.5 / 249.682
= 0.01001 mol
But because we only use half of it:
0.01001 mol / 2 = 5.005 x 10^-3mol

Calculate the mole of sodium hydroxide:

Mol = g / Mw
= 0.2 / (22.99 + 15.999 + 1.008)
= 0.2 / 39.997
= 5.00375028 x 10-35.00 x 10^-3
As so the ratio of NaOH is 2 mol to 1 mol so that:
5.00 x 10-3/2 = 2.50x 10-3

The limiting reagent would possibly be determined by the mole of the

product. From the information above, the limiting reagent would be
sodium hydroxide because sodium hydroxide has less mole than
copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate. With less moles, there are less products to
work with. Thus, it would run out before NaOH, leaving an excess of
sodium pentahydrate. This also leads to the mole of the product to be
equal to the mole of NaOH. As mentioned before, the limiting reagent can
be used to find the theoretical yield.
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Discussion
To calculate theoretical yield, the mol of the product is needed. After we
calculate the theoretical yield, we then calculate the actual yield. An actual
yield is the mass of product actually obtained from the reaction. It is
usually less than the theoretical yield. The fact that the actual yield is
higher or lower is because of that the reaction do not reaction do not
completely react with one another and there is an error in recovering all
the product.
Mol = g / Mw
2.5 x 10-3 = g / 97.56
g = 0.2439
From the information above, the theoretical yield could be calculated by
using the formula:
%yield = Actual yield/ Theoretical yield x 100
= 0.25/ 0.2439 x 100
= 102.5%
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Discussion
A( Copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate)+C(Sodium hydroxide)
Calculate the mole of copper(II) sulfate:
Mol = g / Mw
= 2.5 / [63.546+32.065+4(15.999)+5(2)(1.008)+5(15.999)]
= 2.5 / 249.682
= 0.01001 mol
But because we only use half of it:
0.01001 mol / 2 = 5.005 x 10^-3mol

Calculate the mole of sodium hydroxide:

Mol = g / Mw
= 0.6 / (22.99 + 15.999 + 1.008)
= 0.6 / 39.997
= 0.015
As so the ratio of NaOH is 2 mol to 1 mol so that:
0.015 / 2 =7.5 x 10^-3mol

In this case the limiting reagent will be the copper(II) sulfate

To calculate theoretical yield, the mol of the product is needed:

Mol = g / Mw
5.005 x 10^-3 = g / 97.56
g = 0.4882
From the information above, the theoretical yield could be calculated by
using the formula:
%yield = Actual yield/ Theoretical yield x 100
=0.47/ 0.4882 x 100
= 96.272%
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Conclusion
From the results it can be concluded that different amount of reactants cause
the differences in colours of product and weight of the residue. The first
reaction which is Copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate and 0.2 g sodium
hydroxide, the limiting reagent is sodium hydroxide which gives out 0.25 g of
product. The colour of the first reaction before it turns into solid is light blue
but after it turns into solid, it becomes turquoise and is quite sticky to the
paper. The percentage yield is 102.5%. The second reaction is Copper (II)
sulfate pentahydrate and 0.6 g sodium hydroxide. The limiting reagent is
Copper (II) sulfate. The colour of the second reaction before it turns to solid is
dark blue. After in turns into solid, the product colour becomes very dark blue
to almost black. The product is hard and clump and gives out 0.47 g. The
second reaction percentage yield is 96.272%. By experimenting this lab, not
only that we gain more understanding about the unit of atoms, mole, and
percentage yield of chemical reactions but also visualize a real-life example of
it. We were able to identify the limiting and excess reagent of each reaction.
Moreover, we were able to calculate the percentage yield to see how much
the reactant was used up in this chemical reaction.
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Suggestion and Error

During the experiment, we encountered a few errors. First of all, while we were
measuring the amount of CuSO4 . 5H2O (solution A), we found that one of the
flowcharts had the wrong amount of solution A that should be mixed with
solution B. One stated that we should mix 50 mL of solution A to B, while
another said only 25mL should be used. This caused a confusion among
ourselves and we almost used the wrong amount. We solved the problem by
checking with the handout that the teacher provided us and discovered that
only 25 mL should be used. Our suggestion is that next time we should be
more careful when writing numbers and check each member of the group
flowchart before performing the experiment to make sure that the procedures
are all the same.
Secondly, while we were waiting for the paper to filtrate the solution A + B, one
of the group members accidentally ripped the filter paper causing all the
solution to leak into the beaker. She used the stirring rod to stir because she
thought it would increase the rate of filtration. However, it did not work out
well. It even took us more time to wait for another round of filtration. How we
solved the problem was that we put another filter paper on top of the previous
one that broke. Our suggestion is that next time we should be more careful
with the filter paper and strictly follow the lab procedure.
Our third error was that after we put the second filter paper on top of that first
one, there was still some liquid left between the two papers. When we tried to
remove the papers out of the beaker, as we thought the process was finished,
some of the solution leaked down through the hole causing some amount of
solid product to fall into the beaker. By this, we learned that we should not
have put the new filter paper on top of the broken one. Rather, we should put
it underneath the ripped one. Our suggestion is that not only we should be
more careful but also more considerate about everything.
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References
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2019, November 7). Mole.
Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/mole-chemistry.
Emetics. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/emetics.
Copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Copper_II_-sulfate-
pentahydrate.
Sodium hydroxide. (n.d.). Retrieved December 14, 2019, from
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/14798