COMMUNITY COLLEGE

CREEK CAMPUS

Determination of an Equilibrium Constant

Experiment 02

Chemistry 2XX
Instructor: prof. XXXX 08/01/2011

ABSTRACT: Equilibrium is a state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces: reactant and product concentrations stop changing because the forward and reverse rates have become equal. Equilibrium constant (K) is the value obtained when equilibrium concentrations are substituted into the reaction quotient. In this experiment, the equilibrium of the formation of a complex ion Fe(SCN)x(3-x) was investigated by determining the exact concentrations of each species in an equilibrium, the equilibrium constant, K, can be derived. The equilibrium properties of the reaction between iron(III) ion and thiocyanate ion: Fe3+ (aq) + SCN-(aq) FeSCN2+(aq) was studied here. A total of 5 mixtures were prepared, each with different initial concentration to be proved that the Kc has the same value in each of the mixtures. As the final step in calculation, it was determined that the average Kc value is 128.23 M

Determination of an Equilibrium Constant

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Introduction
Hydrates are ionic compounds that have a specific number of water molecules as part of their structure. The water is chemically combined with the salt in a definite ratio. Ratios vary in different hydrates, but are specific for any given hydrate. The formula of a hydrate is represented in a special manner. For example, the hydrate of cobalt (II) chloride has the formula CoCl2 * 6H2O. The formula of the ionic compound comes first, and the formula of water comes last. The dot means that the water is loosely bonded to the salt (ionic compound). The 6 stands for the number of water bonded to one unit of salt. When hydrates are heated, the water is released as vapor. The remaining solid is called an anhydrous salt. The general reaction for heating a hydrate is: hydrates anhydrous salt + water or CoCl2 * 6H2O CoCl2 + 6H2O. The formula of the hydrate or percentage of water of an unknown hydrate can be determined experimentally. The purpose of this experiment is to observe properties of several crystalline hydrates, such as CuSO4*5 H2O, MgSO4*7 H2O, and KAl(SO4)2*12 H2O. Then perform two trials of dehydration of unknown hydrates and compare it to known hydrates by calculating, and comparing the mass of water separated by weight.

Experimental Details
Safety is always first, so handle the evaporating dish with tongs at all times. Heat the crystals slowly to avoid splattering and popping. Reduce the heat if the edges of the crystals begin to turn brown. Do not place a hot dish on the balance. Copper sulfate hydrate is toxic by ingestion and inhalation, and is a skin and body tissue irritant. If it comes into contact with any part of your body, flush with water for 15 minutes and notify the instructor. There are two parts to this experiment. The first step in part 1 of this experiment was to test Properties of Hydrates by placing about 0.1 g of the following compounds in each one test tube: CuSO4 * 5 H2O, NiCl2 * 6 H2O, and KAl(SO4)2 * 12 H2O. Then heated each test tube gently over a Bunsen burner flame and recorded observations. And finally, once the sample has cooled off, added a few drops of de-ionized water and recorded observations. Next, performed part 2 of the experiment: the formula of Hydrate test. In this experiment, performed two trials of dehydration of an unknown hydrate sample (sample #3) obtained from instructor, the possible unknowns are CuSO4 * 5 H2O, MgSO4 * 7 H2O, and KAl(SO4)2 * 12 H2O.

Determination of an Equilibrium Constant

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First cleaned two crucibles with soap and water, and rinsed them with distilled water. Then dried them with a paper towel, and made sure there were no cracks, and heated the crucible first without the hydrate. It was heated for about 5 minutes while the bottom of the clay crucible was hot red- just to make sure that all the water/moisture were evaporated. Next, placed the crucible on clean wire gauze and left it cool to room temperature, on the lab bench. Once the crucible is cooled to room temperature, places about 1 gram of unknown sample #3 in it. Place the crucible and its lid tightly closed on the clay triangle, and heated it for five minutes. Then, covered crucible was cooled off to room temperature, and measured the mass of the anhydrous salt in it. Next, repeated the above procedure for a second time and measured the mass and made sure weighing agree within 0.040 grams Finally, calculated the mass percent water in the unknown hydrate based upon the mass of the hydrate and that of the anhydrous salt. Then based on the result identified the unknown sample. Disposed all used and unused chemicals in the proper waste container located in the hood.

Results and Discussion

The results of the Properties of Hydrates are shown in Table 1 below. It was observed that by heating for 1 minute Nickel (II) chloride hexahydrate changed from fine lime green crystal to orange solid substance. Respectively, Copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate changed from power blue to solid white and Potassium aluminum sulfate changed from clear to white substance.
Table 1: Properties of Hydrates Hydrates Before Heating Cl2Ni * 6 H2O CuSO4 * 5 H20 Kal(SO4)2 * 12 H20 Lime green crystal Blue crystal Clear crystal Heating for 1 minute Orange, solid substance White substance White substance Rehydrate Green Blue crystal clear substance

Unknown sample #3 was obtained from instructor for the part two this experiment. General observation of this substance was royal blue crystal.

Determination of an Equilibrium Constant

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mass of sample weigh = 1.0044 g mass of crucible + lid = 25.3601 g mass of crucible +lid + sample = 26.3646 g (re weigh)

Note: before the crucible was weighted and sample was plated in, it was washed, cleaned, and heated to dry all water vapor. Since then it was not touched by hand. Using Bunsen burner, Heated the crucible with sample in it for 5 minutes and once the bottom of it was red, placed it on the lab bench to cool down to room temperature. At this point the sample turned into white substance. Weigh the sample. mass of sample after the first heating-cooling process = 26.0222 g mass of sample after the second heating-cooling process = 26.0192 g

Observation: the difference of mass in 1st and 2nd heating-cooling process is 0.003 g. original mass of the unknown sample #3 = 1.0044 g mass of unknown sample #3 after heating-cooling cycle (26.3646 26.0192) = 0.3454 g calculating mass % of water dehydrated is 0.3454 g x 100 = 34% 1.0044 g

The percent water by weigh of hydrates: contains in the Table 2 below. Table 2: The percent water by weight in each hydrate
Hydrates MgSO4 * 7 H20 CuSO4 * 5 H20 Kal(SO4)2 * 12 H20 % H20 51% 36% 45.50%

Sample calculation: molar mass of H20 = 18.02 g molar mass of CuSO4 * 5 H2O = 249.68 g 18.02 g x 5 molar mass H2O x 5 x 100 = 36% x 100 = 249.68 g molar mass CuSO4 * 5 H2O Although there are 2% discrepancies in the in the experiment, it was concluded that the unknown sample # 3 was CuSO4 * 5 H2O. % water in CuSO4 * 5 H2O =

Conclusion

Determination of an Equilibrium Constant

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The purpose of this lab was to determine the properties and the formula of a hydrate through experimentation and calculation. To accomplish this, the mass of the hydrate was found, the hydrate was heated to remove the water, and the mass of the remaining crystals was found. Then, the percentage of H20 was calculated based on the experimental measurements. The percentage of H20 in unknown sample #3 was calculated to be 34%, and the theoretical calculated % H20 in CuSO4 is 36%. Thus, it is concluded the unknown sample #3 is CuSO4 * 5H2O. The respective 2% could be concluded as experimental error caused by any mean.

References
Experiment 02, Determination of an Equilibrium Constant, Portland Community College, Chemistry 222, pg. 3 - 5
1.

Martin S Silberberg. 2006. Chemistry, the molecular nature of matter and change, Forth Edition. McGraw Hill/New York, USA.
2.