Experiment 1 – Preparation of Potassium Nitrate
Objectives:
To prepare a sample of potassium nitrate using nitric acid and potassium carbonate and to purify
the potassium nitrate by crystallization.
Relevant constants:
▪ Molar Mass of nitric acid
▪ Molar Mass of potassium nitrate
Results:
Tabulate the volume of nitric acid used as well as the mass of product obtained. e.g.:
Volume of 30 % w/v nitric acid used/ mL
Mass of clock glass and crystallized KNO3/ g
Mass of empty clock glass/ g
Mass of crystallized KNO3/ g
Exercises: The following is a guide to answering the questions in the manual:
1. State the actual yield of KNO3 (i.e. the mass obtained from the experiment [from your results
table]).
2. Write the equation for the reaction between potassium carbonate and nitric acid.
30 % w/v means: 100 mL of solution contain 30 g of nitric acid
Therefore, calculate the mass of nitric acid in the 10 mL of solution used in the experiment.
Calculate the number of mol of nitric acid present in this mass.
Use the mole ratio from the chemical equation to find the number of mol of potassium nitrate
produced.
Calculate the mass of potassium nitrate produced. This is the theoretical yield of potassium
nitrate.
3. Calculate the percentage yield of potassium nitrate.
4. Hint: By using potassium carbonate, one can easily see when the reaction is complete. Explain
how/ what happens. Explain that when using potassium hydroxide, this does not occur.
5. Suggest what can be done to obtain purer potassium nitrate crystals.
Conclusion:
State the percentage yield of potassium nitrate calculated.
Experiment 2 – Preparation of cupric ammonium sulfate and tetraamminecopper(II)
sulfate
Objectives: Write the objectives of the experiment (following the example given for Expt. 1)
Relevant constants:
▪ Molar Mass of hydrated copper(II) sulfate
▪ Molar Mass of ammonium sulfate
▪ Molar Mass of cupric ammonium sulfate hexahydrate
▪ Molar Mass of tetraamminecopper(II) sulfate monohydrate
Results:
▪ Tabulate the masses of hydrated copper(II) sulfate and ammonium sulfate used, as well as
the mass of cupric ammonium sulfate product obtained.
▪ Tabulate the mass of hydrated copper(II) sulfate used, as well as the mass of
tetraamminecopper(II) sulfate product obtained.
Calculations:
Calculate the masses of hydrated copper(II) sulfate and ammonium sulfate required for the
preparation of cupric ammonium sulfate (based on the number of moles given in the manual).
Exercises: The following is a guide to answering the questions in the manual:
Preparation of cupric ammonium sulfate hexahydrate
1. Since equal number of moles of each reagent was used, explain that the percentage yield can
be based on the less stable reagent and identify this reagent.
2. Calculate the theoretical yield of cupric ammonium sulfate hexahydrate.
3. Calculate the percentage yield.
4. Give the observation when KI reacts with the double salt, cupric ammonium sulfate.
Give the equation for the dissolution/ separation of the ions of the salt when dissolved in
water.
Give the two equations for the reaction of KI with the salt.
Preparation of tetraamminecopper(II) sulfate monohydrate
1. Give the equation for the dissolution/ separation of the ions of tetraamminecopper(II) sulfate
when it dissolves in water.
2. Calculate the number of moles of ammonia used. Determine the limiting reagent and therefore
which reagent the theoretical yield will be based on. (The concentration of the ammonia will
be given in the lab.)
3. Calculate the theoretical yield of tetraamminecopper(II) sulfate monohydrate.
4. Calculate the percentage yield.
5. Give the observation when KI is added to tetraamminecopper(II) sulfate. Explain why this was
observed.
Discussion:
If your actual yield exceeds your theoretical yield (i.e. if the % yield is >100 %) for either of
your products obtained, explain why.
Conclusion:
State the percentage yield of each product.
Experiment 3 – Preparation and analysis of buffers
Objectives: Write the objectives of the experiment as stated in the manual.
Relevant constants:
pKa of ethanoic acid
Molar Mass of sodium ethanoate
Molar Mass of potassium hydroxide
Results:
State the mass of sodium ethanoate weighed out.
Table showing pH readings and color of pH paper
Draw the following table:
Solution pH Color of pH paper
Buffer
Buffer + 1 mL of 1 M HCl
Distilled water + 1 mL of 1 M HCl
Buffer
Buffer + 1 mL of 1 M NaOH
Distilled water + 1 mL of 1 M NaOH
Exercises: Refer to the lab manual and complete all questions given.
Note: Look up/ write all necessary chemical equations beforehand, as they will be required for
the calculations during the lab.
Experiment 4 – Solubility product of calcium hydroxide by titration
Objectives: Write the objectives of the experiment (following the example given for Expt. 1)
Relevant constants:
Molar Mass of calcium hydroxide
Results:
Titration table for the standardization of HCl using sodium hydroxide
Titration table for the titration of calcium hydroxide with HCl
[N.B.: Burette readings are to 2 d.p.]
Sample Calculations: Refer to the lab manual
Exercises: Refer to the lab manual and complete all questions given.
Discussion:
Give any precautions to be carried out when preparing the saturated solution as well as in doing
the titrations. (Parallax errors are not applicable.)
Comment on how temperature may affect solubility and/or Ksp.
Conclusion:
State the concentration of HCl and Ksp of calcium hydroxide.
Experiment 5 – Redox titrations
Objectives: Write the objectives of the experiment (following the example given for Expt. 1)
Relevant constants:
▪ Molar Mass of ferrous ammonium sulfate
▪ Molar Mass of hydrogen peroxide
Results:
Part A:
Titration table for the titration of potassium permanganate with ferrous ammonium sulfate.
Part B:
Titration table for the titration of hydrogen peroxide with potassium permanganate.
[N.B.: Burette readings are to 2 d.p.]
Sample Calculations: Refer to the lab manual
Exercises: Refer to the lab manual and complete all questions given.
Discussion:
Give possible errors in the titrations e.g difficulties experienced when doing permanganate
titratons; precautions to be taken; general comments e.g. uses of permanganate and peroxide.
Conclusion:
State all concentrations of potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide calculated.
Experiment 6 – Standardization of thiosulfate with iodate
Objectives: Write the objectives of the experiment (following the example given for Expt. 1)
Relevant constants:
▪ Molar Mass of potassium iodate
▪ Molar Mass of sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate
Results:
▪ Mass table for the weighing by difference of potassium iodate
▪ Titration table for the titration of potassium iodate with sodium thiosulfate
[N.B.: Masses to 4 d.p; Burette readings to 2 d.p.]
Sample Calculations
Exercises: Refer to the lab manual and complete all questions given.
Conclusion:
State the molar and mass concentrations of the thiosulfate solution.
Experiment 7 – Separation of Liquids by Distillation
Objectives: Write the objectives of the experiment (following the example given for Expt. 1)
Results:
▪ State the volume of liquid mixture used in the experiment.
▪ Table showing the distillation temperature for each volume of distillate collected
e.g.:
Volume of distillate (mL) Distillation temperature (oC)
Temperatures are recorded to 1 d.p.
(The ‘Volume’ column should be comprised of 3 mL intervals, from 3 to 36 mL)
Exercises: Refer to the lab manual and complete all questions given.
Discussion:
State whether you think simple distillation was able to separate the mixture completely. Analyze
the temperature readings obtained, give the trend in the readings and explain whether proper
separation occurred (refer to lab manual for explanation).
Experiment 8 – Molecular weight determination by freezing point depression
Objectives: Write the objectives of the experiment (following the example given for Expt. 1)
Results:
▪ Weighing by difference table for the mass of cyclohexanol used
▪ Weighing by difference table for the mass of unknown solid used
▪ Table showing the freezing point of the pure cyclohexanol as well as the freezing point of
the cyclohexanol and unknown solid mixture
Sample Calculations
Exercises: Refer to the lab manual and complete all questions given.
Discussion:
Any experimental errors (Parallax errors will also be applicable in this experiment).
Conclusion:
State the molecular mass of the solid calculated.
Expt. 9 – Qualitative Ion Analysis (Instructions)
Draw up your results tables as follows:
Solution A
Test Observation
e.g. AgNO3(aq) + dilute HNO3 White ppt. insoluble in excess HNO3
Record your observations for each of the chemical tests done on solution samples A, B, C and D
as outlined in the lab manual in order to identify the cation and anion present in each compound.
These observations should include, for example:
▪ whether the sample solution remain unchanged
▪ whether a gas was given off/ detected
▪ whether a precipitate was formed – note the color of the precipitate and whether it
dissolved either in excess of the reagent added, or in some acid added afterward
▪ any other relevant observations
At the end of the lab session please ensure that the demonstrator signs your results, and attach the
signed pages at the back of your lab report.
The report must be handed in to the demonstrator on your next lab day.
Please review all the information given on qualitative analysis in the manual.
Experiment 9 – Qualitative Ion Analysis (Lab Report)
To be submitted on your next respective lab day
Objectives: Write the objectives of the experiment (following the example given for Expt. 1)
Results: Remember to attach your signed results to the back of your report
Please include ALL results obtained for the tests done on compounds A, B, and C as well as
compound D. Include the flame test results for A, B and C and the (expected) results for the
confirmatory test for the cation in D.
Draw up tables as follows:
Solution A
Test Observation Inference
e.g. AgNO3(aq) + dilute White ppt. insoluble in excess State the possible ion(s)
HNO3 HNO3 present
Give the equation(s) for the
formation of ppt(s).
In your inference column, deduce which ions would possibly be present (or absent, if you got no
visible reaction) for each test. For those tests where precipitates were formed or gases were
evolved, write supporting equations for those reactions (You can refer to the list of reactions
and equations provided in the lab manual; you may look up and include any other relevant
equations that are missing from the list).
Additionally, using your results obtained for Question 1. (i) (e), answer 1. (iv).
Conclusion:
Give the identity of the cation and anion present in EACH of the compounds A, B, C and D.
Experiment 10 – Analysis of Bleach
Objectives: Write the objectives of the experiment as given in the manual.
Equations
Relevant Constants: Molar Mass of NaOCl
Results: Table for the titration of bleach with sodium thiosulfate
Sample Calculations
Questions: Refer to the lab manual and complete all questions given.
Conclusion:
State all of the concentrations of NaOCl calculated for the bleach sample provided and compare
the experimentally obtained concentration with the concentration stated by the manufacturer.