CHEM 1701 – Lab 4 – Ions

Chemistry I for Pre-Health Sciences

DUE BY SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH 11:59 PM

____/23 marks (6% of final grade)

Rationale
The purpose of this lab is to build representations of the imbalance in protons and electrons in ions, assign
IUPAC nomenclature to a variety of ion types, and explore applications of ions in healthcare.

Learning objectives
The following learning objectives are covered in this lab.
 CLO 8: Prepare for and conduct laboratory experiments to investigate scientific questions using
appropriate techniques.
 CLO 9: Examine the relationships between chemistry and the health of the human body.
 LO 3.6: Apply IUPAC rules to name monatomic, multivalent and polyatomic ions
 LO 3.7: Write electron configurations for selected ions

Procedure & Observations

 Be sure to review the lab in its entirety before beginning.
 Throughout the lab you are required to photograph parts of your experiment
and include these photos in your final submission.

Handing in your lab

When complete, submit your work to the appropriate folder in DC Connect under
Activities  Assignments.

All materials needed throughout this lab:

 20 small objects of one kind (i.e. raisins)

 20 small objects of a second kind (i.e. dried beans)

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Experiment 1 – Flame Tests [8 marks]
Discovery question: Have you ever attended a fireworks display for Canada day and wondered how the
different colors light up the night sky? The answer: chemistry! In this experiment you will investigate some of
the colors made by the ions of different metals.

Watch it – Flame Tests [4:48]

This is a video of a process called flame tests. A sample of each ion is placed on the end of a wire and the wire
inserted into a flame. As you will see in the video, the different ions produce different colored flames. This is
the basis of how fireworks work.

Video link: https://youtu.be/NEUbBAGw14k

Observations

1. [0.5 mark for each cell = 8 marks] Which color was produced for each of the following metal cations?
Provide the IUPAC name for each ion. [TIP: don’t forget to include “ion” in the name]

Metal cations Flame color IUPAC ion name

Li+
Na+
K+

Ca2+

Sr2+
Ba2+
Cu2+

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Experiment 2 – Visualizing Ions [7 marks]
Discovery question: In a neutral atom, the balance of positive and negative charge is equal. There are the
same number of protons and electrons. In an ion, there is an imbalance of positive and negative charge. How
can we demonstrate this imbalance visually?

Materials
 20 small objects of one kind
 20 small objects of a second kind

Procedure and Observations

1. [1 mark] Create a legend for your ions by identifying what object will represent each subatomic particle.

Protons Electrons

2. [6 marks] Use your chosen objects to visualize each of the following ions. Select the
appropriate ratio of protons to electrons that would result in the following ions.
Photograph each of your proportions and include the images in the spaces below.

Al3+ Oxide ion Calcium ion

Chloride ion P3-- Potassium ion

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Experiment 3 – Health Applications [5 marks]
Discovery question: As a future healthcare worker you may come across cases of dehydration in children
and adults. There are many causes of dehydration including flu, food poisoning, heat and others. Sometimes
cases of dehydration are minor, other times they are more serious as is seen in cases of severe and prolonged
diarrhea. One treatment for diarrhea is liquid electrolytes. What are electrolytes and which ones are important
in the body?

Procedure
1. Visit this website to learn more about a common over the counter treatment for dehydration:
https://pedialyte.ca/en/dehydration-symptoms-causes
2. Review the information under the different sections.
3. Answer the questions below.

Questions

4. [3 marks] Use the website provided to name 3 roles of electrolytes in the body.

1st role
2nd role
3rd role

5. [1 mark] Which of the following ions are stated as ingredients in Pedialyte?

a. magnesium, calcium, sodium
b. chloride, potassium, sodium
c. calcium, potassium, nitrogen
d. chloride, potassium, salicylic acid

6. [1 mark] When is drinking water alone not a sufficient remedy for dehydration?

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Analysis [3 marks]
Answer the questions below regarding ions.

1. [1 mark] Cation is the word used to describe:

a. positively charged ions
b. negatively charged ions
c. polyatomic ions

2. [1 mark] An atom has 13 electrons and a charge of +1. How many protons are in the atom?
a. 13
b. 14
c. 1
d. 2

3. [1 mark] In your own words, what is the difference between a monatomic and multivalent ion?

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