RESULT and CALCULATION

Part A : Pre- Reduction With Zinc

Measurements Notes
Describe the changes caused by the reaction in
step 1,2 and 3
Solution turns to black
What is removed by the washing and decantation
in step 5
Water,

What copper compound is present in step 6 Copper sulphate,

Reduction with zinc
Measurement Notes
Describe the change caused by the reaction Solution becomes colourless
What is present in the solution Zinc Sulphate,

What gas is formed in this reaction Sulphate gas

Part B : Post Reduction With Zinc
Measurements Notes
What is removed by washing in step 3 Copper, Cu
Initial mass copper 0.5 g
Mass of copper + evaporating dish 8.87 g
Mass of evaporating dish 7.54 g
Mass of recovered copper 0.83 g





Initial mass of copper = 0.5 g
Mass of copper + evaporating dish = 7.54 g
Mass of evaporating dish = 8.87 g
Mass of copper = 1.33 g
Mass of recovered copper = 1.33 g 0.5 g
= 0.83 g
Theoretical yield =



=



= 1.94 g of Cu

Percent yield, =



=

= 42.7





















DISCUSSION
In the fume hood, as prepared by lab technician, 0.5g of copper wire is placed into 250ml
beaker. Then it is added with 5ml of concentrated

to the beaker. Copper nitrate was produced

from the reaction as shown in the equation below. Green copper turn to blue solution because copper
will produce the solution blue in colour.
Cu(s) + 4 HNO
3
(aq) -----> Cu(NO
3
)
2
(aq) + 2 NO
2
(g) + 2 H
2
O(l)
The Pre-Reduction experiment then continued by adding 100ml of distilled water into 250ml
beaker. 30ml of 3.0 M NaOH is added into the solution. Next, the solution is heat and stirred by
magnetic stirrer and was stopped when it reached its boiling point. Copper hydroxide is produced
from the reaction as shown in the equation below.
(NO
3
)
2
(aq) + 2 NaOH(aq) -----> Cu(OH)
2
(s) + 2 NaNO
3
(aq)
The solution turns to black when it was heat and stirred using magnetic stirrer. It is the left to
be cooled down. The solution turns to black as it contains copper oxide. The reaction is known as
dehydration where water is removed. The equation below shows that copper oxide was obtained from
the reaction of dehydration.
Cu(OH)
2
(s) -----> CuO(s) + H
2
O(g)
Next, the solution is added with 15ml 0f 6.0 M of

into the beaker by using pipette. As

shown by the equation below, copper compound that present in the reaction is copper sulphate. Blue
solution will produce black precipitate that mix with water.
CuO(s) + H
2
SO
4
(aq) -----> CuSO
4
(aq) + H
2
O(l)
For the step of reduction of zinc, 2.0g of 30 mesh zinc metal all in once into pre- reduction
beaker and stir until the supernatant liquid is colourless. The black solution now turns blue solution
and finally turns into colourless. This is due to the present of zinc sulphate as the product of the
reaction. The left residue is copper.
CuSO
4
(aq) + Zn(s) -----> ZnSO
4
(aq) + Cu(s)
The Post Reduction experiment is started by weighing the evaporating dish and records its
mass. From the reduction of zinc, when the gas evolution has ceased, the solution is decant and the
precipitate is transferred to the evaporating dish. The precipitate copper is washed with about 5ml of
distilled water, allowed it to settle and decant the solution. The washing step is repeated. Next, 5ml of
methanol is used to wash the precipitate, allow it to settle and decant the methanol. Finally, the
precipitate is washed by 5ml of acetone, allowed it to settle and decant the acetone solution. The
evaporating dish is heated to let the precipitate to dry. The bottom of the evaporating dish is wiped
and recorded its mass.
To get mass of recovered copper, this equation below is used:
Mass of recovered copper = mass of copper initial mass of copper


Initial mass of copper = 0.5 g
Mass of copper + evaporating dish = 7.54 g
Mass of evaporating dish = 8.87 g
Mass of copper = 1.33 g
Mass of recovered copper = 1.33 g 0.5 g
= 0.83 g
Theoretical yield =



=



= 1.94 g of Cu

Percent yield, =



=

= 42.7
It is impossible to get 100% because during the experiment, many errors have occur such as
incorrectly measured mass of copper, zero error and many more. If this error could be overcome, the
percent yield might be near to 100%.










QUESTIONS
1. Determine the percent yield of copper
Theoretical yield =



=



= 1.94 g of Cu

Percent yield, =



=

= 42.7
2. Complete and balance the following chemical equations
Cu(s) + 4 HNO
3
(aq) -----> Cu(NO
3
)
2
(aq) + 2 NO
2
(g) + 2 H
2
O(l)
Cu(NO
3
)
2
(aq) + 2 NaOH(aq) -----> Cu(OH)
2
(s) + 2 NaNO
3
(aq)
Cu(OH)
2
(s) -----> CuO(s) + H
2
O(g)
CuO(s) + H
2
SO
4
(aq) -----> CuSO
4
(aq) + H
2
O(l)
CuSO
4
(aq) + Zn(s) -----> ZnSO
4
(aq) + Cu(s)
3. Determine the colour of your copper sample
Green
4. If the percent yield of copper was greater than 100% what are the two possible errors that
have been made?
The number can never be 1100% or even, so we may have incorrectly measured the copper
beforehand (zero error) and some of the copper that we come out with still bound to another
compound making it appear heavier.

CONCLUSION
The experiment was successful. As the objective is to gain some familiarity with basic
laboratory procedure, some chemistry of typical transition element, and also the concept of percentage
yield. Some mistakes might occur, which is incorrect reading of apparatus and others are stated in
discussion section. The percent yield was reasonable which is 42.7%. As the experiment was done,
familiarity with basic laboratory and the concept of percent yield were explored.
REFERENCES
1. 2009, Chemistry, The Central Science, Pearson Educational Malaysia
2. 200, Focus Super Hot SPM Chemistry, Pelangi Malaysia
3. 2000, General Chemistry with Quanlitative Analysis, Saunders College