THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF KENYA

SCHOOL OF CHEMISTRY AND MATERIAL SCIENCE

Properties of some lithium and magnesium compounds

Introduction
Atoms consist of three basic particles: protons, electrons, and neutrons. The nucleus
(center) of the atom contains the protons (positively charged) and the neutrons (no charge).

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The outermost regions of the atom are called electron shells and contain the electrons

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(negatively charged). Atoms have different properties based on the arrangement and

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number of their basic particles.

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1. Materials

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2. Sodium carbonate solution 11. Lithium nitrate solid

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3. Potassium carbonate solution 12. Sodium nitrate solid
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4. Sodium fluoride solution 13. Potassium nitrate solid
5. Potassium fluoride solution 14. Magnesium nitrate solid
6. Potassium dichromate solution 15. Calcium Nitrate solid
7. Ammonium hydrogen phosphate solution 16. Sodium carbonate solid
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8. Ammonia solution 17. Potassium acetate solid

9. Ammonium acetate solution 18. Sodium acetate solid
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10. Ammonium acetate solution 19. Deionised water

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20. Testubes
21. Testtubes racks
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Procedure
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Lithium compounds
1. Dissolve a little Lithium nitrate (LiNO3), in distilled water in a large test tube. Use this
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solution to carry out the following tests:

2. To some lithium solution, add:
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a) A few drops of sodium carbonate solution.

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b) A few drops of sodium fluoride

c) A few drops of potassium dichromate
d) Ammonia solution until the solution is basic followed by drops of
ammonium hydrogen phosphate solution.
e) A few drops of ammonium acetate solution
Magnesium compounds
Dissolve a little magnesium nitrate, in distilled water in a large test tube. Use this solution to
carry out the following tests.
To some magnesium solution, add:

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potentially hazardous and if you are in doubt as to safety of a procedure don’t do it until you have sought professional advice

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 THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF KENYA
SCHOOL OF CHEMISTRY AND MATERIAL SCIENCE

a) A few drops of sodium carbonate solution

b) A few drops of sodium fluoride solution
c) A few drops of potassium dichromate solution
d) 6M Ammonia solution until the solution is basic followed by a few drops of
ammonium hydrogen phosphate solution.
e) A few drops ammonium acetate solution.

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Calcium compounds

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Dissolve a little calcium Nitrate in distilled water in a big test tube. Use this solution to carry
out the following tests.

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To some calcium solution, add:

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a) A few drops of sodium carbonate solution.

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b) A few drops sodium fluoride solution. ST
c) A few drops of potassium dichromate solution.
d) 6M Ammonia solution until solution is basic followed by a drops of ammonium
hydrogen sulphate solution.
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e) A few drops ammonium acetate solution.

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Potassium and sodium compounds

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1.
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a. Put a little solid sodium carbonate in a small test tube and half fill the tube with
distilled water. Shake the mixture gently; to the solution add four times the amount
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of sodium carbonate solid you had added initially. Agitate the mixture well.
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b. Repeat 1a. Above with potassium carbonate.

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2.
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a. Put a little solid potassium dichromate in a small test tube with distilled water. Shake
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the mixture gently, to the solution formed, add four times the amount of potassium
dichromate, solid you had added initially, agitate the mixture well.
b. Repeat 2(a) but use sodium dichromate instead of potassium dichromate.

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a. Repeat 2(a) above using sodium acetate as a solid.
b. Repeat 2(a) above using potassium acetate.

4.

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potentially hazardous and if you are in doubt as to safety of a procedure don’t do it until you have sought professional advice

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 THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF KENYA
SCHOOL OF CHEMISTRY AND MATERIAL SCIENCE

a. Repeat 2(a) above using sodium ammonium hydrogen phosphate or sodium

phosphate.
b. Repeat 2 (a) above using potassium ammonium hydrogen phosphate or potassium
phosphate.
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a. Repeat 2(a) above using sodium fluoride.
b. Repeat 2(a) above using potassium fluoride.

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Data analysis quesitions

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1. Comment on the solubility of these salts.
2. Write ionic equations for the reactions taking place in section A and B.

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3. Using this experiment as a basis, justify the position of Lithium in the periodic table

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4. Comment on the chemistry of Lithium and Magnesium.

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NOTE: When in lab always be in personal protective equipment & keep physical and social distance all the time. Regard all chemicals as
potentially hazardous and if you are in doubt as to safety of a procedure don’t do it until you have sought professional advice

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