Activity # 3

Types of Chemical Reactions

Name:___________________________________Group #____________ Date:_______________________

Introduction

Many chemical reactions can be classified as one of five basic types. Having a thorough understanding
of these types of reactions will be useful for predicting the products of an unknown reaction. The five
basic types of chemical reactions are combination, decomposition, single-replacement, double-
replacement, and combustion. Analyzing the reactants and products of a given reaction will allow you
to place it into one of these categories. Some reactions will fit into more than one category.

Prelab Questions:
Complete the following steps for each reaction below:
 Name the type of reaction that is occurring.
 State if the reaction is balanced.
 If the reaction is not balanced, write the complete balanced reaction

1. aqueous aluminum nitrate is placed with 3. solid barium oxide is heated:

solid magnesium:
_BaO  _Ba + _O2
_Al(NO3)3 + _Mg  _Al + Mg(NO3)2

2. aqueous barium hydroxide is added to 4. solid lithium reacts with oxygen gas:
aqueous potassium sulfate:
_Li + __O2  _Li2O
_Ba(OH)2+ _K2SO4  _ KOH + _BaSO4

Objectives

 Identify the different types of chemical reactions.

 Write complete and balanced chemical equations.
 Gain understanding on how chemical reactions occur.

Materials (DIY)
 Candle  Aluminum foil
 Large bottle  Hydrogen peroxide
 Alcohol lamp  Yeast
 Tongs  Food coloring (optional)
 Tablespoons  Muriatic acid (HCl)
 Transparent clear glass  Baking soda
 Transparent clear glass bowl  vinegar
Safety
Wear goggles and aprons at all times. Use care with ALL chemicals, some are extremely corrosive. All
chemicals are harmful if ingested or if they come into contact with skin or eyes. Wash hands when lab
is complete lab. Discard the chemical wastes in designated waste bottle. Do not pour on the sink!

Procedures

Part A. Combustion

1. Put 1 drop of cyclohexane in the evaporating dish. Using a match, light one stick to burn it. In
the data table, record the complete balanced equation for this reaction of cyclohexane along
with your observations for this experiment.
Or

Using a match, light one candle stick to burn it. In the data table, record the complete balanced
equation for this reaction of paraffin (C 25H52) wax, the one used in candle making, along with
your observations for this experiment.

Part B. Combination

1. Obtain a small piece (2 cm) of clean magnesium ribbon.

2. Using tongs, carefully put the metal on the flame in an alcohol lamp. There must be enough of
the metal exposed to the air (oxygen) for the reaction to occur.
3. Record your data. Clean your lab table when you are finished.

Or

1. Obtain a small piece (1 cm x 1cm) of clean aluminum foil.

2. Using tongs, carefully put the foil on the flame in an alcohol lamp(or any source of flame).
There must be enough of the metal exposed to the air (oxygen) for the reaction to occur.
3. Record your data. Clean your lab table when you are finished.

Part C. Decomposition

1. In a clean test tube pour 10-15 mL of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Drop food coloring.
2. Slowly drop pinch by pinch instant dry yeast (catalyst) and mix.
3. Observe what happens.

Or

1. In a clean clear glass, put one tablespoon of instant dry yeast (You may also use activated yeast
mixed in a slightly warm water).
2. Then add two to three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide.
3. Observe what happens.
Part D. Single Displacement Reaction

1. Obtain a 1 cm magnesium ribbon from your teacher. Cut it into 4 pieces.

2. Using a clean graduated cylinder, measure approximately 5mL of hydrochloric acid and pour
into a clean test tube.
3. Drop the magnesium into the hydrochloric acid solution. Discard waste properly.
4. Record your data. Using soap and a test tube brush clean the beaker or test tube.

Or

1. Obtain a 1 cm x 1 cm aluminum foil. Cut it into 4 pieces.

2. Pour a small amount (about 3 to 4 tablespoons) of muriatic acid (HCl) into a clean clear glass.
3. Drop the aluminum into the hydrochloric acid solution. Discard waste properly.
4. Record your data.

Part E. Double Displacement Reaction

1. Place 5 drops of 0.5 M aqueous calcium chloride into a clean test tube.
2. Add 5 drops of 0.5M aqueous sodium hydroxide.
3. In the data table, record the complete balanced equation for this reaction along with your
observations for this experiment.
4. Discard all chemical waste in waste bottle!!! Using soap and a test tube brush clean the test
tube.

Or

1. In a clean glass bowl, place approximately 10-15 tablespoons of vinegar (Acetic Acid, HC2H3O2).
2. Then gradually add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda (NaHCO3) in the bowl.
3. Observe what happens.
 Lab Report

Name:_______________________________Section:_____________________Date:___________________

Data Collected: (1pt per entry)

Procedure Type of Reaction Balanced Chemical Equation Observations

No.

Questions

1. What are the products of complete combustion? 2 pts

2. In a combination reaction, how many product(s) is/are expected?1 pt

3. Do decomposition reactions happen spontaneously? Why or why not? 3 pts

 4. What is/are the condition(s) that is/are needed for a single displacemet reaction to occur? 2 pts

5. What type of reaction happens between vinegar and baking soda? What are the products of the
reaction? 2 pts

Generalization
Give your generalization after doing the activity. You can include discussion points in the Prelab
Exercises and in the Questions part but make sure to summarize them. (5 points)