Honors Chemistry - Types of Chemical Reactions Lab

05.07.19
Gianna Battaglia
Maryclaire Malizia
Makayla Robertson
I Purpose
In this lab, five basic types of chemical reactions were carried out. The identity of reactants,
products, the classification and the balancing of chemical equations were determined.

II Procedure
Synthesis
1. Heat a 2 cm piece of copper ribbon for two minutes, then record any indicators of a
chemical reaction.
Decomposition #1
1. Record the original appearance of a small scoop of cupric carbonate in the test tube.
2. Heat the cupric carbonate for three minutes, then record any indicators of a chemical
reaction.
3. Insert a burning wood splint into the test tube.
Decomposition #2
1. Add a small scoop of manganese dioxide catalyst to 5 mL of 3% hydrogen peroxide
solution and let the reaction occur for thirty seconds. Record any indicators of a chemical
reaction.
2. Ignite a wood splint, extinguish it, then insert it into the test tube.
Single Replacement #1
1. Add a 2 cm piece (rolled into a ball) of magnesium ribbon into 3-4 mL of sulfuric acid, let
it react for ten seconds. Record any indicators of a chemical reaction.
2. Ignite a wood splint, then insert it into the test tube.
Single Replacement #2
1. Record the original appearance of 3-4 mL of copper (II) chloride solution in the test tube.
2. Add a piece of zinc metal to this solution. Let the reaction occur for five minutes. Record
any indicators of a chemical reaction.
Double Replacement
1. Add 2-3 mL of sodium phosphate solution to the iron (III) chloride solution, then record
any indicators of a chemical reaction.

III Materials
1. Copper wire
2. Cupric carbonate/Copper (II) carbonate
3. 3% Hydrogen peroxide solution
4. Manganese dioxide
5. Sulfuric acid
6. Magnesium ribbon
7. Copper (II) chloride solution
8. Zinc metal
9. Iron (II) chloride solution
10. Sodium phosphate solution

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IV Equipment
1. Bunsen burner & tubing
2. Crucible tongs
3. 10 mL Graduated cylinder
4. Microspatula
5. Test tubes
6. Test tube rack
7. Test tube holder
8. Wood splints
9. Scissors
10. Transfer pipets

V Data
Synthesis:
● After holding the copper wire in the bunsen burner for two minutes, there was a color
change of a copper color to a grey color.
Decomposition #1:
● The original appearance of the cupric carbonate was powdery and green.
● After it was heated for three minutes, there was color change from the original green
color to a black color.
● After inserting a burning wood splint, the flame was put out because carbon dioxide was
present.
Decompostion #2:
● After the manganese dioxide catalyst was added to the 5 mL of 3% hydrogen peroxide
solution for thirty seconds, heat and the production of a gas were indicated.
● When a wood splint (which had already glowed orange, then the flame was put out) was
put into the test tube, the splint reignited, which indicated oxygen was present.
Single Replacement #1:
● When a ball of magnesium ribbon was put into 3-4 mL of sulfuric acid for 10 seconds, the
production of a gas (bubbling) was indicated.
● When an ignited wood splint was put into the test tube, a popping sound was heard,
which indicated hydrogen gas was present.
Single Replacement #2:
● The original appearance of the copper (II) chloride solution was a blue color.
● After a piece of zinc was added for 5 minutes, there seemed to be an indicator of a gas
produced (bubbling/fizzing in the test tube) and an indicator of a color change in the zinc
to a “rusty”, brown/red color.
Double Replacement:
● When 2-3 mL of sodium phosphate solution was added to the 2-3 mL of the iron (III)
chloride solution, there was an indicator of a precipitate being formed .

VI Calculations
No calculations were given for this lab

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VII Questions
Equations:
1. Synthesis
2 Cu (s) + O2 (g) → 2 CuO (s)
2. Decomposition
CuCO3 (s) → CuO (s) + CO2 (g)
3. Decompostion
2 H2O2 (aq) → O2 (g) + 2 H2O (l)
4. Single Replacement
Mg (s) + H2SO4 (aq) → H2 (g) + MgSO4 (s)
5. Single Replacement
Zn (s) + CuCl2 (aq) → ZnCl2 (aq) + Cu (s)
6. Double Replacement
FeCl3 (aq) + Na3PO4 (aq) → 3 NaCl (s) + FePO4 (aq)
7. Combustion
CH4 (g) + 2 O2 (g) → CO2 (g) + 2 H2O (g) + energy

VIII Conclusions
This lab was completed in order to view the different indicators of different reactions. It was also
completed to gain more practice with balancing equations, predicting products and their states.