LAB NO.

#4
DATE 2.10.2019
TITLE Determining the percentage of copper in brass.
AIM To investigate the percentage of copper in brass by Iodine and Thiosulphate
Titrations
MATERIALS Goggles, Lab Coat, Gloves
50 cm 3 Burette
Stand and Clamp
25 cm 3 Pipette with Filler
(2) 25 cm3 Conical Flask
25 ml measuring cylinder
(1) 150 ml beaker
(1) 250 ml standard Flask
Small Funnel
Digital Balance

CHEMICALS Concentrated Nitric Acid

Soap Solution
Starch indicator (Freshly made in
dropper bottles)
0.1 M Sodium Thiosulphate
1 M Potassium Iodide
2 M Ethanoic Acid
1 M sodium Carbonate
Distilled Water
3 % Hydrogen Peroxide
1 M Sulphuric Acid (dropper Bottles

PROCEDURES
Experiment 1:
A few drops of Hydrogen Peroxide solution were added to a mixture of three cm
3 of KI(aq) and three cm3 of dilute H2S04 in a 150 cm3 beaker.
The 0.1 M Sodium Thiosulphate filled the Burette.
Sodium Thiosulphate solution was added drop wise to the mixture until no
changes occurred.

Experiment 2:
1. In a one-hundred and fifty cm 3 beaker two brass screws were weighed.
2. Twenty-Five cm 3 of concentrated nitric acid was measured into a measuring
cylinder and poured into the one-hundred and fifty cm 3 beaker containing the
brass screws outside.
3. Observations were made on the reaction.
4. Once no further reaction occurred the solution was transferred into a two-hundred and
fifty cm 3 volumetric flask and the solution was standardized.
 5. Twenty-five cm 3 of brass solution was pipetted into a 125cm 3 conical flask and
a solution of 1M sodium carbonate was added drop wise until a slight
permanent precipitate is obtained.
6. The precipitate was dissolved in the minimum volume of dilute acetic acid, and
ten cm 3 of approximately 1M KI was added to the solution.
7. The solution was titrated against standard 0.1 M sodium thiosulphate
solution; pausing the titration adding about 2 cm 3 of starch indicator when
the solution turned a pale yellow colour.
8. The titration resumed until the solution became a cloudy pink white solution.
9. Titration was repeated until two consistent and accurate readings were
obtained.

RESULTS

TABLE SHOWING RESULTS OF BRASS SOLUTION AGAINST SODIUM

THIOSULPHATE

Description Initial Reading Final Reading Volume of Na2S04

(ml) (ml) added
(ml)
First Titration 0 26.9 26.9
Second Titration 0 27.2 27.2
Average 0 27.1 27.1

CALCULATIONS

H2O2(l) + 2KI(aq) 2KOH (aq) + I2(s)

2Cu2+ (aq) + 4 I- (aq) 2CuI (s) + I2 (s)

I 2 (s) + 2S2O3 2- (aq) 2I- (aq) + S4O6 2- (aq)

Moles of S2O32- = M * V = 0.1M * 0.0271L = 0.00271Moles

Moles of I2 = 2Moles of S2O32 : 1Mole of I2

= 0.00271Mol : X

X = 0.001355 Moles of I2 reacted with S2O32-

Moles of Cu2+ = 2 Moles of Cu2+ : 1Mole of I2

=X : 0.001295 Moles of I2
 X =0.00271 Moles of Cu2+

Moles of Cu2+ in 250cm3 of brass solution = 10* 0.00271Moles of Cu2+

= 0.0271Moles of Cu2+

Mass of Cu2+ = moles * molar mass

=0.0271Moles of Cu2+ * 64g/mole=1.7344 g of Cu2+

Percentage of copper in brass = (1.7344 g of Cu2+/2.4g)* 100% = 72.3%

Percent Error =| (Actual-Theoretical) / Theoretical| *100% = | (72.3% - 75%)/75%|

*100%
= 3.6% error

DISCUSSION
In this lab the percentage of copper in brass screws was investigated. First brass is a
metal made from zinc and copper which is used to make screws. The percentage of copper found
in this lab was through the process of redox titration which has a reduction or oxidation reaction
making ions free due to their solubility. In experiment one this shown through the mixing of
hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodine along with sulphuric acid. H202 (l)+ H+ (aq)+ 2e-- =>
2H20(l). 2I- (aq)=> I2 (s)+ 2e- and redox equation H202 (l)+ H+ (aq)+ 2I- (aq ) => 2H20(l) + I2 (s)
This causes the color to change from deep dark blue to colorless as thiosulphate is added. : I2 (s) + 2S2O3-
2 - 2-
(aq)  2I (aq) + S4O6 (aq). The screws were dissolved in concentrated nitric acid during the
experiment, resulting in an intense reaction creating a gas and a bright green solution. A brass
solution from the screws was in fact this green solution and copper was treated with KI as it
allows the redox reaction between iodine and copper to be possible since iodine is the connecting
agent between the reactions that occur. Sodium carbonate is added to neutralize the highly acidic
solution. The neutralization equation is HNO3 (aq)+ NaCO3(aq) => NaNO2 (aq)+ H2O (l)+ CO-
2(g).
After the solution was titrated with the thiosulphate which lead to the endpoint. The
number of moles of thiosulfate which reacted was 0.00271 Mol. The number of moles of I2
which reacted with the thiosulfate was 0.001355 Mol of I2 and the number of copper (II) ions
which was used with 0.001355 Mol of I2 was 0.00271Moles.Whereas the number of moles found
in the solution was 0.0271Mol and the gram of copper in it is 1.7344 g of Cu2+. The theoretically
percentage of copper in brass varies with the average being around 75%, in this lab the percent of
copper in the screws were found to be 72.3% thus the percent error being 3.6%.

ASSUMPTION Out of the two screws they don’t have the same amount of copper.

LIMITATION Lab was conducted quickly due to the acidic gas by product from reaction.

SOURCE OF ERROR Lab dilution of nitric acid may have not been strong enough; acid still
being concentrated.

CONCLUSION In conclusion the percent of copper in brass screws was calculated to be

72.3%.
 Determining the percentage of copper in brass
Mark Scheme
Analysis and Interpretation
General Analysis
General discussion on Redox processes (Include answers to guided questions) [2]

Ionic Equations
Correct Formula of reactants and products [1]
State Symbols/Balanced [1]

Calculations
Accuracy in Calculations [2]
Clear/Stepwise [1]
Correct Units/Significant Figures [1]
Limitations and Assumptions of Data
Percentage Error/Sources of Error [2]
Limitations/Assumptions [1]
Compare Accuracy/Reliability of Results [1]

Total /12