INORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY REPORT

I. DATA AND RESULTS

A. Direct Combination or Synthesis

1. Observations:
When heated in a flame, the copper wire turns black. The copper wire has undergone an
oxidation reaction where oxygen from the air combines with copper, forming copper oxide
(Nuffield Foundation, 2016).

What is the evidence of a chemical reaction?

The copper’s color change (reddish-brown to black) is proof of a chemical reaction.
Copper and oxygen formed a new compound called copper oxide.

What is the chemical equation for the heating of copper?

The chemical equation is 2Cu + O₂ ⟶ 2CuO.

2. Can you separate the iron from the sulfur?

After heating, the iron fillings can’t be separated from the sulfur powder because they
form a new compound.

What is the new substance formed?

The new substance formed is Iron sulfide (Helmenstine, 2020).

What is the chemical equation for this reaction?

The chemical equation is Fe + S ⟶ FeS.

B. Decomposition or Analysis

1. Observations:
When the splinter is exposed to the inside of the test tube, it glows brighter and forms a
fire.

How do you account for the result?

The mercuric oxide decomposed into mercury metal and oxygen gas (CK-12 Foundation,
2021). The splinter is rekindled because it reacts to the pronounced amount of oxygen gas
present inside the test tube.

What is the chemical equation for this reaction?

 The chemical equation is 2HgO ⟶ 2Hg + O₂.

2. Observations:
The glowing splint bursts into flame when it is exposed to the inside of the test tube.

How do you account for the result?

The re-ignition of the splint is due to the increased rate of combustion inside the test
tube (high amount of oxygen).

What is the chemical equation for this reaction?

The chemical equation is 2KClO₃ ⟶ 2KCl + 3O₂.

C. Substitution or Replacement

1. What is the result?

Upon dropping the magnesium ribbon in the hydrochloric acid, bubbles begin to form
vigorously. It shows a single replacement reaction and demonstrates the generation of
hydrogen gas.

What is the evidence of a chemical reaction?

In the reaction with hydrochloric acid, the magnesium displaces the hydrogen in the
acid, which forms Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) and hydrogen gas (H₂) as bubbles. Heat is also
produced. (Young, 2020)

What is the chemical equation for this reaction?

The chemical equation is Mg + 2HCl ⟶ MgCl₂ + H₂. Magnesium acts as a reducing agent,
and hydrogen serves as an oxidizing agent.

2. Observations:
After allowing the nail to immerse in the solution for a long time, the nail’s color
changed from grey to reddish-brown. The solution also changes color from blue to cloudy
green.

What is the substance deposited on the nail?

The substance deposited on the nail is copper.

Explain the result.

The color of the nail changes to reddish-brown because copper is deposited on the iron
nail by displacing iron. The change of color in the solution is because copper has been
displaced from iron from the cupric sulfate solution. This single replacement reaction shows
 that iron is more reactive than copper as it replaces copper from its solution, and iron passes
into the solution as Fe²⁺ ions (OLABS, 2011).

What is the chemical equation for this reaction?

The chemical equation is CuSO₄ + Fe ⟶ FeSO₄ + Cu, where ferrous sulphate solution is
formed.

D. Double Decomposition or Metathesis

1. What is the result?

A precipitate of silver chloride is formed upon mixing both solutions, and a double
displacement reaction happens. Both ammonium and nitrate ions act as non-participating
spectator ions.

What is the chemical equation for this reaction?

The chemical equation is AgNO₃ + NH₄Cl ⟶ AgCl + NH₄NO₃.

2. What is the result?

A white precipitate of calcium carbonate is formed upon mixing both solutions, and a
double displacement reaction happens. Carbon dioxide leaves the reaction as a gas, and
sodium chloride dissolves in the water.

What is the chemical equation for this reaction?

The chemical equation is Na₂CO₃ + CaCl₂ → CaCO₃ + 2NaCl
III. REFERENCES

CK-12 Foundation. (2021). CK12-Foundation. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from CK-12 Foundation
website:
https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-chemistry-flexbook-2.0/section/11.5/primary/le
sson/decomposition-reactions-chem/
Helmenstine, A. M. (2020). How To Make a Mixture and a Compound from Iron and Sulfur.
Retrieved October 6, 2021, from
https://www.thoughtco.com/make-mixture-compound-iron-and-sulfur-606308
Nuffield Foundation. (2016). Heating copper in air. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from RSC
Education website: https://edu.rsc.org/experiments/heating-copper-in-air/408.article
OLABS. (2011). Chemical Reactions. Retrieved 5 October 2021 from:
http://www.olabs.edu.in/index.php?sub=73&brch=2&sim=77&cnt=1
Young, P. (2020, August 13). Chemical and Physical Properties and Changes. Retrieved 5 October
2021 from:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_Chemistry/Book%3A_Introductor
y_Chemistry_Online_(Young)/02%3A_The_Physical_and_Chemical_Properties_of_Matte
r/2.4%3A_Chemical_and_Physical_Properties_and_Changes

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