Lab 3: (Observing a Chemical Reaction) Name______________________________

Purpose: To learn how qualitative and quantitative observations of a chemical reaction are used to
formulate a hypothesis.
Background:
Distinguishing between observation and interpretation is very important in chemistry.
An observation is a statement of fact, based on what you detect by your senses.
Observations can also be sketches of what you are seeing.
An interpretation is your udgment or opinion about what you have observed.
Try to avoid making any conclusion statements or interpretations of observations when
recording data. A statement !the liquid is clear and colorless" is an observation. #t would be
an interpretation to say, without further testing, that the clear colorless liquid is water. $ou
have no way of knowing it is water. There are many liquids that look ust like water but are
not. %lease avoid making interpretations or conclusions when you make observations.
#n this e&periment, you will be working with copper'##( chloride dihydrate. A hydrate is a
chemical with water already attached to the molecules in a de)nite proportion. *ach
molecule of this chemical has two water molecules already attached even before you add
water. During this e&periment, try to make as many observations as possible. +emember
there are two types of observations:
A qualitative observation describes general qualities like color, te&ture, shape, si,e, and
physical state.
A quantitative observation is an observation that involves numerical measurements or
quantities like mass of -../ g or initial temperature of --.. 0. 1uantitative
measurements always include one !estimated" digit in the number and units or labels
after the numbers. This is called the uncertain digit. #n the e&ample --.. 0, the
thermometer must have had lines every degree because the last digit shows that tenths
of a degree 0elsius is estimated. $ou only estimate if you are guessing between lines.
!The liquid is hot" is a qualitative observation. !The temperature of the liquid is 2../ 0" is a
quantitative observation.
Materials:
3ab Apron
4afety 5oggles
6agnifying glass
5lass stirring rod
7ash bottle with distilled
water
8eaker '9//:m3(
Thermometer, thermometer clamp, and ring
stand
%aper towels for clean up
Chemicals
Aluminum metal foil, Al ';:cm &;:cm(
copper'##( chloride dihydrate, 0u0l-<-=-O
'to&ic, skin irritant(
Safety Alert:
#n this lab observe all precautions, especially the ones listed below and in the procedures.
Protect your eyes 7ear your safety goggles with all steps.
o Copper!""# chloride dihydrate is an irritant to skin and mucus membranes and is
to&ic by ingestion and inhalation. Avoid skin contact with this chemical. 'All steps(

$ever taste chemicals>
o Treat all chemicals as to&ic.
o 7ash hands after handling chemicals.
Protect our environment
o Dispose of all materials according to the instructions of your teacher.
Procedures:
!Safety goggles M%S& be worn during all steps#
9. ?se a plastic weighing tray to obtain one scoop of copper'##( chloride
dihydrate, 0u0l-<-=-O crystals. This may already provided at your
station.
Observe the sample using the magni)er. Describe the sample
making as many observations as possible without touching or
tasting the chemical. ?se the glass rod if necessary to move the
chemical around. +ecord your observations in Data Table 9.
-. @ill the 9//:m3 beaker about one:fourth full with distilled water.
'ithout stirring, add all of your copper'##( chloride sample to
the water. +ecord your observations of the mi&ture.
A. ?se the glass stirring rod to stir the mi&ture until the crystals are
completely dissolved. +ecord your observations of the solution.
B. %lace the thermometer in the copper'##( chloride solution and determine
the temperature to the nearest /.9 0. +ecord your results in the data
table.
.. +ecord your observations of the aluminum metal foil.
Safety Alert:
Only observe the mi&ture from the sides as you complete the ne&t step. (o not
inhale any gases produced and do not look directly down into the beaker.
C. 0rumple the aluminum foil into a loose ball and place it into the solution.
?se the glass rod to stir the mi&ture occasionally. Deep track of the
temperature and record the ma&imum temperature produced by the
reaction. 6ake sure you record all observations that you witness during
this step.
E. After the reaction has cooled down, dispose of the waste by pouring it
into the designated waste container provided by your teacher. Do not
pour any of the waste into the drain.
;. After dumping your waste, thoroughly clean the beaker using tap water
and your brush. Dry the beaker with a paper towel. ?se a wet towel to
clean the thermometer and glass rod. 7ipe down all surfaces where you
worked and wash your hands with soap and water.
)emove your goggles*
Additional
$otes:
Lab 3: (Observing a Chemical Reaction) Name______________________________
(ata &able +: ,bservations
System ,bservation
(ry copper!""# chloride
dihydrate crystals
Copper!""# chloride
added to water !without
stirring#
Copper!""# chloride
added to water !after
stirring#
Aluminum metal foil
"nitial temperature of
solution
Copper!""# chloride
solution - crumpled
aluminum foil
.inal temperature of
solution
Lab 3: (Observing a Chemical Reaction) Name______________________________
Conclusion /Analysis 0uestions:
9. #dentify the observations that were quantitative by restating them below.
-. 7hat observations indicated that this reaction was a chemical reactionF
A. @orm a hypothesis that e&plains the identity of the red solid that formed during the reaction.
4tate your reasoning.
B. #n the e&periment, the silver colored aluminum seemed to !disappear". The 3aw of
0onservation of 6ass says that nothing can be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction
so why canGt you see it anymoreF
.. Do you think your observations during this e&periment will be similar to the observations of
the other groups in class doing the e&perimentF *&plain.
C. One of the goals of the scientist is to be able to e&plain and predict. Try to make this
prediction.
=ow would the )nal temperature be aHected if you only used half the amount of copper'##(
chloride dihydrate and a smaller amount of aluminum foilF