Lab 5: Stoichiometry of a P

Chemistry 151-0901

2/25/2023

Thomas Ross
Lab Partner: None
Stoichiometry of a Precipitation Reaction

Thomas Ross

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to use stoichiometry to predict, measure and analyze the

amount of reactant needed to create the maximum amount of product in a precipitation reaction between

CaCl2 and Na2CO3. The initial mass and number of moles of both calcium chloride dihydrate and sodium

carbonate were measured. By measuring the initial mass, it is possible to determine the general amount of

yield which should be recovered at the end of the experiment. In this experiment, the two solutions were

mixed in a 100 mL glass beaker forming calcium carbonate. After mixing, the calcium carbonate was

filtered, capturing the precipitate in filter paper, and then weighed to measure the mass and then

determine the percent yield of the precipitate. The results of the experiment revealed an 88.2% yield,

meaning that 11.8% of the precipitate was lost during the experiment. This could have been due to

insensitivity of the scale used or the solubility of the resulting precipitate.

Introduction

Stoichiometry is the calculation of the quantities of reactants and products in a chemical reaction

and determines the quantitative relationship between reactants and products. 1 Aside from just this,

stoichiometry can be used to determine how much of each reactant is required for all reactants to be used

up at the same time. Through stoichiometry, the experiment intends to answer the question of how much

CaCO3 is produced when mixing calcium chloride dihydrate and sodium carbonate. Using the following

balanced equation, Na2CO3 (aq) + CaCl2 ⋅ 2H2O (aq) → CaCO3 (s) + 2NaCl (aq) + 2H2O (aq), the amount

of calcium carbonate can be measured and the percentage yield determined. Another way to show the use
of stoichiometry is through gravimetric analysis, which is when a constituent is changed into a substance

which can then be taken and weighed. 2 An example of this is Pb +2 + 2Cl- → Pb2Cl(s), where excess

chlorine ions are added to the lead to form lead (II) chloride which can then be used to determine the

amount of lead in the sample of water.

Procedure

25 mL of distilled water was added to two 100 mL glass beakers, each. Weigh paper was folded

into a weigh boat and 1.5 g of calcium chloride dihydrate was measured on a tared scale. This mass was

then added to one of the 100 mL beakers and dissolved in the water. The stoichiometric quantity needed

of sodium carbonate, 1.081 g, was then determined. This process was then repeated with 1.1 g of sodium

carbonate. The two solutions were mixed, forming calcium carbonate. Filter paper was shaped and placed

in a separate 100 mL beaker. The resulting solution was filtered for 15 minutes and set aside to dry

overnight. The mass of the dry precipitate was measured, minus the filter paper, to determine the

percentage yield.

Results

To determine the theoretical CaCO3 (g) that should result, the moles and mass of CaCl2⋅2H2O

(g), Na2CO3 (g) and CaCO3 (g) were compared. 1 mol CaCl2 ⋅ 2H2O (g) = 1 mol CaCO3 (g). The molar

mass of these substances are 147.02 g/mol and 100.09 g/mol, respectively. Because there were 0.0102

mols of CaCl2 (g) used, it was determined an equivalent 0.0102 mols of Na2CO3 (g) were needed. 0.0102

mols Na2CO3 (g) = 1.081 g Na2CO3 (g). With a sample weight of 1.5 g of CaCl2 ⋅ 2H2O (g), it was

determined 1.02 g CaCO3 (g) should result from the experiment. Actual yield was slightly less than

theoretical. Finally, percentage yield of the sample was determined: 0.9 g ÷1.02 g ×100=88.2 % yield
Table 1. Experimental Data

Measurement Value

Initial CaCl2 ⋅ 2H2O (g) 1.5

Initial Na2CO3 (g) 1.1

Theoretical CaCO3 (g) 1.02

Mass of filter paper (g) 0.9

Mass of filter paper + CaCO3 (g) 1.8

Actual CaCO3 (g) 0.9

Discussion

The theoretical yield of CaCO3 was 1.02 g. The experimental yield of 0.9 g is below the ideal

yield, as the experiment recovered 88% of the CaCO 3. The primary weakness in the experiment is due to

the sensitivity of the scale. Realistically, the experiment could have retrieved between 88% and 97%. To

improve results a more sensitive scale would need to be used in order to more precisely determine

marginal loss of precipitate due to its solubility3.

Conclusion

The theoretical yield of CaCO3 was 1.02 g, while the actual yield was 0.9 g, which is 88.2%

retrieval. A yield of 88% is not ideal and the experiment should be conducted again, with more sensitive

equipment, in an attempt to increase the yield with more precise results. Ideally, a result of 95% or higher
should be expected when attempting to retrieve a sample. Additionally, multiple attempts should be

conducted to determine ideal conditions and isolate confounders and errors.

References

1. Brown, T. L.; Lemay, H. E. Jr.; Bursten, B. E.; Murphy, C. J.; Woodward, P. M.; Stoltzfus, M. W.;

Lufaso, M. W. Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry. In Chemistry the Central Science,

14th; Pearson, 2018; ch 3.

2. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica., Gravimetric Analysis. Encyclopaedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/science/gravimetric-analysis (accessed February 25th, 2023), 2022.

3. Frontier, A., How to Improve Your Yield. University of Rochester.

http://www.chem.rochester.edu/notvoodoo/pages/how_to.php?page=improve_yield (accessed

February 12th, 2023), 2023.