Experiment task # ____

(as part fulfillment of assignment # _____ )

Name ___________________ Class ______________

Coursework: LO1 & LO2

Assessment Criteria

MQF 1 MQF 2 MQF 3

1.1d Follow health and safety
regulations.
1.1e Carry out, with
supervision, a written
procedure for an experiment.
1.10 Represent a chemical
reaction using a word equation. using a balanced chemical equation.
1.2d State health and safety
considerations.
1.2e Carry out, with limited
supervision, a written procedure for
an experiment.
1.2f Record observations
appropriately.
1.2h Draw labelled diagrams from
the given apparatus.
1.2l Draw conclusion from an
experiment.
1.2o Represent a chemical reaction
2.2k Prepare gases safely.
2.2l Test the properties of gases
following step by step instructions.
2.2m Collect gases over water or in
a gas syringe.
1.3d Evaluate an experiment in
terms of health and safety.
1.3e Carry out, with no direct
supervision, a written experiment
for a procedure.
1.3f Determine which observations
are to be measured for an
experiment.
1.3g Write a scientific report for an
experiment carried out.
1.3h Draw labelled diagrams of
apparatus used during
experiments.
1.3l Evaluate an experimental
procedure and results by
suggesting improvements.
2.3k Prepare gases safely by
selecting and assembling
appropriate apparatus.
2.3m Collect gases by upward or
downward delivery.
2.3n Evaluate different collection
methods for carbon dioxide.

Background information
Carbon dioxide is naturally found in the atmosphere. All living things breathe out carbon
dioxide. Also, every time something organic is burnt, it produces carbon dioxide. Plants use
carbon dioxide to make sugar. This process is called photosynthesis. Plants are said to be
autotrophic since they make their own food.

This experiment is divided into 4 parts:

Part 1: Prepare carbon dioxide by the reaction of marble chips (calcium carbonate) with
dilute hydrochloric acid and collect the gas over water.
Part 2: Conduct tests to identify the properties of carbon dioxide.
Part 3: Conduct a test to identify carbon dioxide gas.
Part 4: Design an alternative method of collecting carbon dioxide depending on its
properties.

Experiment Sheet 1 of 7
Date

Title

Aim

Apparatus and Materials

10 marks

Consult safety data sheets for any chemical substances used before you start the experiment.

Experiment Sheet 2 of 7
Procedure
Part 1: Laboratory preparation of carbon dioxide and collection over water
1. Place a beehive shelf in a trough.
2. Fill the trough with water until the beehive shelf is completely submerged.
3. Place a gas jar horizontally in the trough and fill it with water. (Make sure that no air
bubbles remain in the gas jar).
4. Cover the gas jar with a gas jar cover, invert it and slide it over the beehive shelf.
Remove the gas jar cover while the gas jar opening is under water.
5. Transfer enough calcium carbonate chips to cover the bottom of a 250 ml conical flask
with a side-arm.
6. Attach a dropping funnel to the conical flask by means of suitable rubber bung.
7. Attach a rubber tube to the side arm of the conical flask and insert the other end in the
trough below the water’s edge.
8. Fill a closed dropping funnel with dilute hydrochloric acid.
9. Add dilute hydrochloric acid dropwise to the calcium carbonate. Observe what happens
and record your results.
10. Do not collect the gas produced for the first minute. Then, insert the delivery tube into
the beehive shelf and collect a gas jar of carbon dioxide.
11. Place a gas jar cover underneath the gas jar such that the gas produced in enclosed
within it.
12. Collect another two gas jars aside for Part 2 of the experiment.

Part 2: Properties of carbon dioxide

13. Note the colour and odour of the gas
14. Remove the gas jar cover of the first gas jar and using tongs, insert a moist blue and red
litmus paper into the gas jar. Observe what happens and record your results.
15. Add a few drops of distilled water into the second gas jar of carbon dioxide. Then add a
few drops of universal indicator. Observe what happens and record your results.
16. Insert a lighted splint in the third gas jar. Observe what happens and record your
results.

Part 3: Test for carbon dioxide

17. Prepare a boiling tube filled with lime water and clamp it on a retort stand.
18. Insert the delivery tube from the conical flask into the lime water.
19. Observe what happens and record your results.

Part 4: Collecting carbon dioxide using an alternative method

20. Besides collecting carbon dioxide over water, it can be collected using an alternative
method. Modify the apparatus to collect the gas produced. This alternative method
should not include a gas syringe.

Experiment Sheet 3 of 7
Diagrams
Draw labelled diagrams for different setups used in this experiment.
10 marks

Precautions
• List precautions and explain why they were taken (i) when setting up the apparatus in
part 1 and (ii) when setting up the apparatus in part 4.
• Explain why the gas was not collected in the first minute in step 10.
• Any other precautions?

Safety considerations
• Consult the safety data sheets for calcium carbonate, dilute hydrochloric acid, lime water
and universal indicator. Write a list of safety considerations and related precautions for
every substance.
10 marks

Observations

Part 1: Laboratory preparation of carbon dioxide and collection over water

Describe the observations noted when

(i) adding calcium carbonate to hydrochloric acid and

(ii) collecting the gas over water.

Part 2: Properties of carbon dioxide

For each step, in part 2, write down the observations noted.

Part 3: Test for carbon dioxide

Describe how the gas was identified.

Part 4: Collecting carbon dioxide using an alternative method

Write any observations made while collecting carbon dioxide using the alternative method.

20 marks

Experiment Sheet 4 of 7
Discussion and Conclusion
Part 1: Laboratory preparation of carbon dioxide and collection over water

Carbon dioxide is prepared by the reaction of calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid.

• Write a word equation for this reaction.

• Write a balanced chemical equation, including state symbols, for this reaction.

Part 2: Properties of carbon dioxide

• Discuss the properties of carbon dioxide determined in this experiment. Support your
discussion with balanced chemical equations, including state symbols, where appropriate.
• Name two uses of carbon dioxide in everyday life and relate these uses to the properties
of carbon dioxide.

Part 3: Test for carbon dioxide

• State the test used to identify carbon dioxide and its result.

• Write a balanced chemical equation, including state symbols, for the test of carbon
dioxide.

Part 4: Collecting carbon dioxide using an alternative method

In this experiment, two gas collection methods were used.

• Give the name of the alternative method that was used to collect carbon dioxide. Explain
why carbon dioxide can be collected in this manner.

• Compare the two collection methods used in this experiment and discuss any advantages
or disadvantages.

Evaluation

• Identify any sources of error and discuss how they can be reduced/eliminated.

• What could have been improved if the experiments were to be carried out again?

20 marks

Experiment Sheet 5 of 7

Marking Scheme
Date, Title, Aim & Apparatus and Materials
 Date when experiment was
carried out is missing.
 Title of the experiment is
missing.
 Only part of the aim of the
experiment is written.
 Lists few or none of the
chemicals or equipment used
during the experiment.
(0 - 3 marks)
Diagram/s
 Poor diagrams are drawn
which are not neat or
completely labelled. Not all
diagrams are presented.
(0 - 3 marks)
Precautions & Safety considerations
 Lists few of the precautions
taken during the experiment.
 Identify few hazards in the
experiment without
suggesting methods of
reducing the risk of harm.
(0 - 3 marks)
Results and Observations
 Records only some of the
observations noted during the
experiment.
(0 - 6 marks)
 The date when experiment
was conducted in the lab.
 The title of the experiment.
 Only part of the aim of the
experiment is written.
 Lists some of the chemicals
and equipment used during
the experiment.
(4 - 6 marks)
 Draws neat, labelled
diagrams. Not all diagrams
may be included with some
missing labels.
(4 - 6 marks)
 Lists most of the precautions
without explaining why such
precautions are taken.
 Identifies some of the main
hazards in the experiment
and suggest methods of
reducing the risk of harm.
(4 - 6 marks)
 Records most of the
observations noted during the
experiment but observations
are not clearly organised.
(7 - 12 marks)
Experiment Sheet 6 of 7
Maximum Obtained
Mark Mark
10
 The date when experiment
was conducted in the lab.
 A clear title of the
experiment.
 A clear and concise aim of the
experiment.
 Lists all chemicals and
apparatus used during the
experiment.
(7 - 10 marks)
10
 Draws neat and labelled
diagrams of all steps in the
procedure.
(7 - 10 marks)
10
 Lists all precautions and
explain why such precautions
are taken during the
experiment.
 Identifies the main hazards in
the experiment and suggest
methods of reducing the risk
of harm.
(7 - 10 marks)
20
 Records all observations
noted in the experiment in
detail and organises them in
a clear manner e.g. in a
paragraph or in a table
format
(13 - 20 marks)
Discussion and Conclusion & Evaluation
 Presents an incomplete
analysis/interpretation of
observations with many
errors.
 Draws a poor conclusion that
is based on the evidence
obtained in the experiment
and poorly relates it to
scientific knowledge, laws and
theory.
 Identifies few of the
experimental errors but does
not give an explanation of
why such errors occurred.
 Identifies few limitations of
the experiment but does not
discuss ways of improving
experiment.
(0 - 6 marks)
Conducting the experiment
 Handles some of the
apparatus and chemicals
correctly and safely with
guidance.
 Uses inappropriate
equipment for the task,
making few observations and
recorded data is not well
organised.
 Works with others but is not
always co-operative.
 Fails to make use of the
appropriate lab attire to
ensure personal safety.
 Does not clean the apparatus
and leaves the working
station in a disorganised
manner
(0 - 9 marks)
Total Mark
MQF level obtained
MQF 1: 0 – 30 marks; MQF 2: 31 – 60 marks; MQF 3: 61 – 100 marks
Comments
 Identifies trends or patterns in
observations and supports
them with a satisfactory
analysis/ interpretation of
data with some errors.
 Draws a satisfactory
conclusion that is based on
the evidence obtained in the
experiment and relates it to
scientific knowledge, laws and
theory.
 Identifies some of the
experimental errors or
anomalous observations and
gives a partial explanation
why such errors are observed.
 Discusses limitations of the
experiment and suggests
some ways of improving the
experiment setup and/or
results.
(7 - 12 marks)
 Handles most of the
apparatus and chemicals
correctly and safely.
 Uses equipment appropriate
for the task, makes most of
the observations and records
limited data.
 Works with others in a
cooperative manner most of
the time.
 Makes use of the appropriate
lab attire to ensure personal
safety most of the time.
 Cleans the apparatus after
being reminded but the
working area is not so tidy.
(10 - 18 marks)
Experiment Sheet 7 of 7
20
 Identifies trends or patterns in
observations and supports
them with a complete and
correct analysis/
interpretation of data.
 Draws a detailed conclusion
that is based on the evidence
obtained in the experiment
and relates it to scientific
knowledge, laws and theory.
 Identifies experimental errors
or anomalous observations
and gives an adequate
explanation why such errors
are observed.
 Discusses the limitations and
weaknesses of the experiment
and suggests ways of
improving experimental setup
and/or results.
(13 - 20 marks)
30
 Handles apparatus and
chemicals carefully, correctly,
safely and skilfully.
 Uses equipment appropriate
for the task, makes
systematic observations and
records data in an orderly
manner. Works in an
organised and diligent
manner.
 Works in a team and is
respectful of others.
 Makes use of the appropriate
lab attire to ensure personal
safety.
 Cleans the apparatus and
bench after the experiment.
(19 - 30 marks)