EXPERIMENT NO.

#5 QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF EVERYDAY CHEMICALS

NAME: Gutierrez, Crisha Andrea M. DATE PERFORMED: November 15, 2021

COURSE: BS Psychology YR &SEC: 1st year- CAS-06-102P

GROUP: #3

OBJECTIVE

The physical and chemical properties of ten common chemicals will be observed in this experiment. Some
of these properties will be used to identify five unknowns. Everyday chemicals are used for this analysis
to emphasize that chemistry is involved in many aspects of our daily lives.

INTRODUCTION

This lab introduces qualitative analysis, the area of chemistry concerned with the identification of
substances by their physical and chemical properties. Identifying unknown substances is an important
part of chemistry, with applications in fields such as medicine and environmental chemistry. Materials can
be characterized by observing their physical and chemical properties and/or by instrumental methods.
Since identification of substances by their typical reactions can sometimes be relatively easy, quick and
inexpensive compared to instrumental methods, it is frequently the method of choice. In this lab some
simple characteristic reactions of ten common everyday chemicals will be observed. The common names,
systematic names, and formulae of these chemicals are listed in the table below.

Common Names Chemical Names Systematic Electrical Conductivity Formula

Names
Baking soda Sodium Sodium has a high
hydrogen bicarbonate conductivity, a
carbonate good conductor
Table salt Sodium has a high
chloride Sodium conductivity, a
chloride good conductor

Sugar Sucrose non conductive

Sucrose

Chalk Calcium non conductive

carbonate Calcium
carbonate
 Cornstarch No chemical 3.04× 10 −4 S/cm
name because Diethyl −1, a good
it is a mixture pyrocarbonat conductor
e

Silica gel (sand) Silicon Silicon low conductivity

dioxide dioxide

Alum Aluminum -1.894 × 10−6

Potassium Potassium S/cm, has a high
Sulfate aluminum conductivity
sulfate

The physical and chemical changes that will be used to identify these everyday chemicals are described
below. Examples and net ionic equations for some of the reactions are also supplied.

Solubility

In general, polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents and nonpolar solutes dissolve in nonpolar solvents. This
phenomenon is commonly described as “like-dissolves-like”. Water is the most common solvent for
inorganic compounds. Water is a polar compound and thus readily dissolves polar compounds, as well as
many ionic compounds

When substances dissolve in water, the process can be exothermic (giving off heat and thus making the
container warmer) or endothermic (absorbing heat and thus making the container colder). For example,
the dissolution of Epsom salt is an endothermic reaction:

MgSO4⋅7H2O(s)+heat−→−H2OMg2+(aq)+SO2−4(aq)
Precipitation Reactions

Some soluble substances form a precipitate with the addition of a precipitating reagent. The appearance
of the precipitate can provide a clue regarding the identity of a substance. For example, Epsom salt forms
a milky precipitate when it reacts with ammonium hydroxide. The net ionic equations for this reactions is

Mg2+(aq)+2OH1−(aq)⟶Mg(OH)2(s)
Acid-Base Reactions

Some of the household chemicals in this experiment are weak bases that contain carbonate or
bicarbonate ions. These weak bases will react readily with acids such as acetic or hydrochloric acid
producing carbon dioxide gas:

CO2−3(aq)+2H1+(aq)⟶CO2(g)+H2O(l)
Electrical Conductivity
Substances that produce ions in solution are called electrolytes. The ions in solution conduct electric
current because they are charged particles that are free to move about in the solution. Strong electrolytes
dissociate completely into ions and thus carry relatively large currents. For example, table salt is a strong
electrolyte (dissociates completely):

NaCl(s)⟶Na1+(aq)+Cl1−(aq)
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Oxidation-reduction reactions involve the transfer of electrons from an atom of one reagent to an atom
of another reagent. The reagent that loses the electrons is called the reducing agent and the one that
gains electrons is called the oxidizing agent. For example,

2Cu+O2heat 2CuO

PROCEDURE

Safety

Even though this lab deals with everyday chemicals, some might be harmful so never taste or touch any
chemicals in the lab. Handle all solids chemicals with spatulas or spoons, and never use your hands in
handling them.

Part A: Qualitative Analysis of Everyday Chemicals

1. Look up a common use for each of the following everyday chemicals. You may use textbooks, the
internet, or encyclopedias for your sources.
Alum Corn starch Baking soda Sodium chloride
Sugar Sand Chalk

Chemical Common Use

> Alum Purification of drinking water as a

chemical flocculant and in styptic pencil
to stop bleeding from minor cuts.

> Cornstarch Commonly used to thicken liquid-based

foods like soups, stews, sauces, or
custards

> Baking soda Help remove tough stains, eliminate foul

odors, and clean difficult areas like the
oven, microwave, and tile grout.

> Sodium Chloride Uses beyond seasoning and preserving

foods

> Sugar Acts as a sweetener, preservative,

texture modifier, fermentation substrate,
 flavouring and colouring agent, bulking
agent.

> Sand Commonly used in agriculture,

landscape and building materials,
including concrete.

> Chalk In agriculture chalk is used for raising

pH in soils with high acidity.

2. Which of the above chemicals are soluble in water? If needed refer to solubility rules guides in
your textbook.
> The chemicals that are soluble in water are alum, sugar, baking soda and sodium chloride or
table salt.
3. Suppose an everyday chemical reacts with vinegar. Is the substance more likely to be an acid or a
base?
4. Write the molecular equation and the net ionic equation for the reaction that occurs between
aqueous sodium chloride and aqueous silver nitrate.

5. Circle the substances given below that produce a basic solution (pH > 7) when dissolved in water?

NaCl KOH Sucrose NH3 Vinegar

6. Provide one simple chemical test that can distinguish between NaCl and Na2CO3.

To test for the chloride ion:

Add a few drops of an aqueous solution of silver nitrate or AgNO3 (which is colourless)
to an aqueous solution of sodium chloride or NaCl (which is also colourless). You will
observe a curdy white precipitate, silver chloride, which is insoluble in cold water and
dilute nitric acid.
 AgNO3 (aq) + NaCl (aq) → NaNO3 (aq) + AgCl (s)

The precipitate formed dissolves in excess ammonium hydroxide solution to give a

clear, colourless solution of diamine silver chloride.

AgCl + 2NH4OH -> [Ag(NH3)2]Cl + 2H2O

To test for the sodium ion:

Use a flame test.

Dip a platinum wire in concentrated HCl and hold it in the blue Bunsen burner flame
until the flame no longer changes colour. Next, dip the wire in HCl again, pick up some
NaCl powder/paste with the wire and hold it in the flame. An intense golden-yellow to
orange-yellow colour confirms the presence of the sodium ion.

If the substance answers both of the above tests, it is sodium chloride.

7. Identify the oxidizing and the reducing agent for the following reaction.
H2 + F2

H2 + F2

H2 + F2 = 2HF

H2=Oxidizing Agent

F2=Reducing Agent

Part B: Determining the Solubility of Everyday Chemicals in Water

Use the following steps to determine the solubility of each chemical in water.
1. Use your spatula (or spoon) to obtain a very small amount (a half a pea-size or less) of each of the
everyday chemicals and put each in separate bottles.
2. Add about 10 mL (2 teaspoons) of water to each bottle and mix well.
3. Record which of the everyday chemicals are soluble and which are not. When a substance
dissolves, the resulting solution will be clear (not cloudy).
 > These are the everyday chemicals that are soluble in water. Baking Soda, Table Salt, Sugar and
Alum while the Chalk, Cornstarch and the Sand are the chemicals that insoluble in water.

4. Determine the electrical conductivity of the substance (Refer to books)\

> The substance that conducts electricity in water are Salt, Baking Soda, Chalk, Alum and Sand
while the Sugar and Cornstarch does not conduct electricity.

DATA AND RESULTS

Part A

1. and 2
Common Chemical Formula Electrical Use
Names Names Conductivity
Baking Sodium NaHCO₃ Poor
soda hydrogen conductor of Used when
carbonate electricity cleaning a
microwave because
it tackles grease,
odours, and stuck
on particles of food.
In addition to this
baking soda can
remove oily and
tomato-based
stains.
Table salt Sodium chloride NaCl Can conduct Enhances the
an electricity flavour of foods and
plays a
preservative as well
as functional role in
food processing.

Sugar “Glucopyranosyl C12H22O11 Does not Provides

fructofuranoside” conduct sweetness, sugar is
electricity also used to
balance acidity, add
bulk or prevent
spoilage among
other functional
properties

Chalk Calcium CaCO3 Does not Used for raising pH

carbonate conduct in soils with high
electricity acidity. Small doses
of chalk can also be
used as an antacid.
Cornstarch “a polymer of (C6H10O5)x Does not Used as a
glucose” conduct thickening agent.
electricity It's made up of a
long chain of starch
molecules that will
unravel and swell
when heated in the
presence of
moisture. This
swelling, or
gelatinization, is
what causes
thickening.

Silica gel Silicon dioxide SiO2 Does not Sand and gravel
(sand) conduct are used for road
electricity construction, for
mixing with asphalt,
as construction fill,
and in the
production of
construction
materials like
concrete blocks,
bricks, and pipes.

Alum Aluminum Does not Used after shaving

Potassium KAl(SO₄ )₂ ·12H conduct to soothe the skin,
Sulfate ₂O electricity prevent the spread
of bacteria, and
reduce bleeding
associated with
minor nicks and
cuts.

3. Suppose an everyday chemical reacts with vinegar. Is the substance more likely to be an acid or
a base?

Acid Base Neutral

 Alum Chalk Cornstarch

Baking Soda Sugar

Salt

Silica Gel(Sand)

4. Molecular Equation

Net Ionic Equation

Cl(aq) + Ag(aq) → AgCl(s)

5. Circle the substances given below that produce a basic solution (pH > 7) when dissolved in
water?

NaCl KOH Sucrose NH3 Vinegar

6. Provide one simple chemical test that can distinguish between NaCl and Na2CO3.

> Answer: When AgNO3 solution is added to NaCl and Na2CO3, NaCl would react and provide a
white precipitates while Na2CO3 would result into dryness that would form a mixture of salt.7.
7. Identify the oxidizing and the reducing agent for the following reaction.

H2 + F2
H2 + F2 = 2HF
H2=Oxidizing Agent
F2=Reducing Agent

Part B

Common Names Solubility in Water Explanation

Baking soda Soluble Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), also known

as baking soda or sodium hydrogen
carbonate, is a white powder that readily
dissolves in water to produce sodium (Na+)
ions and bicarbonate (HCO3) ions.

Table salt Soluble Salt dissolves in water at the molecular level

due to electrical charges and the fact that
both water and salt compounds are polar,
with positive and negative charges on
opposite sides of the molecule. ... The
sodium and chloride ions are pulled apart by
water molecules, breaking the ionic bond that
held them together.

Sugar Soluble The bond among the oxygen and hydrogen

atoms in sugar offers the oxygen a mild
terrible price and the hydrogen a mild
tremendous price. The polar water molecules
entice the terrible and tremendous regions at
the polar sucrose molecules which makes
sucrose dissolve in water.
Chalk Insoluble Chalk doesn’t dissolve in water. Chalk
incorporates CaCO3 that's insoluble in water
due to the fact the forces of enchantment
among calcium and carbonate ions are more
potent than ions of calcium carbonate and
water

Cornstarch Insoluble Cornstarch is a huge chain-like molecule this

is tightly wrapped up in starch granules, so it
would not dissolve in water. These huge
molecules have a tendency to clump
collectively as they are “hydrophobic”,
because of this that they will be inclined to
keep away from water.

Silica gel (sand) Insoluble Silica gel is unique in the fact that it is not a
gel, nor will it dissolve in most liquids. In
fact, it actually absorbs water and other
liquids instead of dissolving in them.

Alum Soluble Alum powder when dissolved in warm water

gets dissolved. Thereby, that proves that
alum powder is soluble in warm or heat
water. However, the solubility of alum in
water relies upon significantly on its
chemical composition

ANALYSIS
1. Write the reaction of barium chloride solution to an aqueous solution of sodium sulfite. Show the
molecular and net ionic equation.
2. Identify the reducing and oxidizing agents in the given redox reaction. Show the transfer of electrons.
Na2CO3 → Na2O + CO2

CONCLUSION

To summarize, we discovered the water-reactions of common household compounds. Some

compounds are water soluble, such as alum, sodium chloride, and sugar. In contrast,
cornstarch, baking soda, silica gel, and chalk are insoluble in water. This is due to the particles
dissolving and forming a solution in the case of compounds that are soluble in water. When
chemicals are added to vinegar, they are classified as acid or base, with alum, baking soda,
sodium chloride, and silica gel classified as acid. Although cornstarch and sugar are both
neutral, chalk is a base. As a result, electric conductivity is determined by an ionic chemical.