What is in this Container: A Capstone Experiment

Jabrail Ahmed

Jackson Bloom

Lab Session # 202

March 20, 2017

The experiment uses many methods on identifying the chemical. It happens to be because

of an unknown material that has been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),

and a fine is issued if the material isnt identified within three hours and it falls under the

Chemical Specific Right to Know Act. The chemical catalog has only twelve chemicals listed in

the stockroom. Applying broad methods the identity of the material and the container will be

solved.

The density experiment is managed through water displacement. Density is the

measurement of mass per volume. Mass is measured using a scale and volume is measured by

the displacement of water. Density is used to identify substances and materials.

Freezing Point Depression is a colligative property. It occurs because the liquid solution

has a lower vapor pressure than the solid state. The Freezing Point Depression is directly

correlated to how many molecules of substances are added rather than the ones identified. If the

initial molar mass and molality are recorded the molar mass can be solved for from the

colligative property.

An emission analysis of aqueous solutions will be used to identify the sample in certain

situations. Emission spectroscopy is recommended over absorption spectroscopy in colorless

aqueous solutions such as the ones in group 1A metals. In the experiment the sample is going to

be excited by heat which will be given through a bunsen burner. The wavelength of the emitted

light shows the uniqueness of a certain metal. A spectrophotometer will record the wavelength

and intensity. The unknown sample will be compared to the spectra of samples containing

known metal ions which will allow the unknow to be identified.

state. Absorption spectroscopy is a process of measuring light intensity before and after it passes

through the aqueous solution. Refraction and Diffraction is neutralized by applying a blank

solution which is a solution carrying no absorbing species. Serial dilutions of the unknown have

to be made so that the sample with the known greater or lesser concentrations than the sample

can be collected. The quantity of light absorbed is directly proportional to the concentration. The

absorption spectra lambda max (maximum absorbance line) is then compared to spectra of the

water samples holding known metal ions which will then identify it.

After completing the lab the identity of the unknown will be known. The molarity is

calculated through titrations. The lab is a summary of testing the knowledge of acids and bases,

transition metals, solubility and colligative properties.

Experiment:

Receive materials: unknown chemical, .1 M hydrochloric acid solution, pH 4 and pH7

buffer solutions, .1 M sodium hydroxide solution, .1 M silver nitrate solution, .1 M barium

chloride solution, .1 M Iron (III) nitrate solution, .1 M sodium chloride solution, .1 M potassium

chloride solution, distilled water, MeasureNet spectrophotometer, cuvetttes, nichrome wires, ,

MeasureNet pH probe and drop counter, MeasureNet temperature probe,conductivity detector,

Styrofoam cup calorimeter and lid, volumetric flasks, kimwipes, crucible, lid, and ordinary lab

glassware. (You might not need all these materials in the experiment.)

Place the unknown sample and 50ml of distilled water in a 100ml beaker; stir the 100 ml

beaker.
If it is soluble proceed to step 6. If it is insoluble identify what the original state your unknown

is, it should be a solid or liquid.

If it liquid proceed to step 5. If it is a solid confirm it is aluminum through calculating its density.

To calculate its density record and fill a graduated cylinder with distilled water.

Add a recorded mass of your sample. Then record the final mass.

After the experiment, calculate the density of the unknown to be 2.70 g/mL. Note: the mass of

water is one gram per mL.

If it is a liquid, confirm it is hexane through calculating its density. To calculate its

density record and fill a graduated cylinder with distilled water.

Add a recorded mass of your sample. Then record the final mass.

After the experiment calculate the density of the unknown to be .655 g/mL. Note: the mass of

water is one gram per mL.

Gather the conductivity detector (LED light and wire), distilled water, the unknown chemical,

and a petra dish.

Add the chemical and water into the petra dish. The amount of water used should be

much more than chemical used, to allow the chemical to ionize in solution.

Place the wire of the LED light into the solution.

Judge if the LED if off (proceed step 7), shining dimly (proceed step 9), or shining brightly

(proceed step 11).

If it liquid proceed to step 8. If it is a solid confirm it is urea through experimentally calculating

its freezing point depression. (lab 17)

the max temperature to 25C.

Prepare 300mL of distilled water into a 600ml beaker, and then fill the beaker to 500ml

with ice. (This is called the ice bath)

Gather the 25 x 200 mm test tube, ring stand, clamp, rubber stopper, and temperature probe.

Insert the rubber stopper and temperature probe into the test tube. Connect the test tube to the

ring stand and make sure that it can become immersed in the ice bath. Note: the temperature

probe needs to be covered in at least 2cm of solution.

Prepare an aqueous solution by adding 20 mL of water to 1 gram of unknown sample. Record

this.

Secure the test tube onto the ring stand, immersed in the ice bath. Press start in the workstation,

stir continuously.

Once the solution is frozen press stop. Press file options, f3, save your file name

(e.g.001), and press enter. Press display to view the previous scan.

Clean all chemicals into the sink wash and dry thoroughly. Repeat all of step 7 in another trial.

If it is a liquid, confirm it is ethanol through calculating its density. To calculate its density

record and fill a graduated cylinder with distilled water.

Add a recorded mass of your sample. Then record the final mass.

After the experiment calculate the density of the unknown to be .655 g/mL. Note: the mass of

water is one gram per mL.

Use the pH probe to determine if the solution is acidic or basic. If it is acidic proceed to

step X. If the solution is basic continue to confirm it is ammonia. Record the starting molarity
and liters used in the experiment. Use appendix F to titrate the unknown with .1 M hydrochloric

acid. Repeat step 9 in a second trial.

After the experiments calculate the moles used to react with hydrochloric acid. Calculate

the pKb to be 1.8x10^-5.

If the solution is acidic continue to confirm it is formic acid. Use appendix F to titrate the

unknown with .1 M hydroxide acid. Record the starting molarity and liters used in the

experiment. Use appendix F to titrate the unknown with .1 M hydroxide. Repeat step 10 in a

second trial.

After the experiments calculate the moles used to react with hydroxide. Calculate the pKa to be

1.8x10^-4.

To confirm the unknown solution is iron (III) chloride an absorption spectroscopy will be

performed, it is not proceed to step 12. See appendix D for how to perform an absorption

spectroscopy. Note: standard solutions of the unknown solution are not prepared as the

concentration does not need to be calculated. It should be found that iron (III) chloride has an

absorbance spectrum from 200 800nm. The lambda max highest consistent point of graph-

can be found to be at 456.57.

Next use the pH probe to determine if the solution is acidic (proceed to step 13), basic (proceed

to step 14), or neutral (proceed to step 15).

If the solution is acidic continue to confirm it is hydrochloric. Use appendix F to titrate

the unknown with .1 M hydroxide acid. Record the starting molarity and liters used in the

experiment. Use appendix F to titrate the unknown with .1 M hydroxide. Repeat step 10 in a

second trial.
After the experiments calculate the moles used to react with hydroxide. Calculate the

equivalence point to be 7.

If the solution is basic continue to confirm it is sodium hydroxide or sodium hydrogen

carbonate. Record the starting molarity and liters used in the experiment. Use appendix F to

titrate the unknown with .1 M hydrochloric acid. Repeat step 9 in a second trial.

After the experiments calculate the moles used to react with hydrochloric acid. Calculate

the pKb to be 2.1x10^-8 for sodium hydrogen carbonate or an equivalence point of 7 for sodium

hydroxide.

If the solution is not acidic or basic an emission spectrum will be performed to confirm the

sample is barium chloride or potassium sulfate. Clean a nichrome wire by placing 5ml of 6M

HCL in a 50-ml beaker. Measurements do not need to be exact or measured.

Swish the nichrome wire in the beaker for 30-40 seconds.

Rinse the wire with 30-50 ml of distilled water, and pour the used acid into the waste container.

Measurements do not need to be exact or measured.

Review appendix E to prepare the MeasureNet system for recording data.

Pour a small amount of distilled water into a watch glass.

Quickly put a heated nichrome wire onto the distilled water and aim the gases into the Bunsen

burners intake.

Using the graph determine the peaks. If there are two peaks at 550 nm confirm it is

barium chloride. If there are two peaks at 770 nm confirm it is potassium sulfate.

Results:
 Trial A Freezing Point Depression:

Depression = Depression Constant * Molality

Depression constant for water 1.86 C/molal

Freezing Point mL of Water Inital Final Mass of

Trial B Freezing Point Depression:

Freezing Point mL of Water Inital Final Mass of

Density Lab:

Density mL of Water Grams of Substance

Trial A titration:

pH= pKa+ log(A-/HA)

pH= pKb+ log(HA/A-)

Titration Inital Molarity mL used to Titrate

Titration Inital Molarity mL used to Titrate

Emission:

Emission Peaks

Absorption:

Absorbance Peaks
Bibliography:

Stanton, B., Zhu, L., & Atwood, C. H. (2006). Experiments in general chemistry

featuring MeasureNet. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.