Lab activity 5

Molar and Mass: Relationships in Chemical Reactions

Synthesis of Calcium Carbonate

Introduction:

Chemical equations describe a material's elemental composition or molecular structure. Cu,

for example, represents metallic copper, O2 represents diatomic oxygen, and H2O represents

water. Ionic compounds, such as sodium chloride (NaCl), have a ratio of oppositely charged

ions in their crystal structure. The formula weight, given in atomic mass units (amu), is the

total mass of all atoms in a substance's formula. A mole of any material is equal to its formula

weight in grams, also known as molar mass, and is made up of Avogadro's number

(6.022x1023) of formula units. Chemical reactions are represented by balanced chemical

equations, which incorporate both formula unit and molar viewpoints. Stoichiometry is a

branch of chemistry that studies the quantitative relationships between reactants and products.

When one examines the breakdown of water: 2H2O 2H2 + O2, one may derive many mass

relationships, such as the conversion of 2 moles of H2O into 2 moles of H2 and 1 mole of

O2. These links are critical in resolving difficulties with mole or mass relationships in

chemical processes. The limiting reactant in a reaction is the one that produces the least

quantity of product. A stoichiometric mixture is generated when reactants are joined in the

precise mass ratio stated by the balancing equation. The actual yield represents the quantity

of product obtained, whereas the theoretical yield is the estimated amount assuming all

limiting reactant is entirely transformed. Divide the actual yield by the theoretical yield and

multiply the result by 100% to get the percent yield. Finally, A twofold replacement reaction

is used in this laboratory experiment to synthesize calcium carbonate, an ionic substance

found in limestone, marble, and chalk. The precipitated calcium carbonate is separated, dried,

and weighed to calculate the reaction yield.

Purpose:

We performed a thorough examination of the dynamic interplay between reactants and

products in a chemical equation, highlighting mole and mass correlations with rigorous

calculations. Overcoming obstacles, we precisely defined the amount of reactant B required

for a complete reaction with a particular mass of reactant A, assuring a stoichiometric

combination. Moreover, we executed a basic chemical reaction while adhering strictly to

safety standards, putting theoretical knowledge into practice. Following the reaction, careful

separation of the precipitate via filtration, along with thorough drying, allowed for exact mass

measurements. Finally, the next step in our experiment was to carefully compute the product

yield, which provided vital insights into the efficiency of the reaction by comparing actual

and theoretically expected yields. This extensive laboratory project effortlessly combined

theoretical principles with practical application, greatly expanding our understanding of mole

and mass correlations in chemical processes.

Material and Equipment

distilled water

CaCl2 (solid powder)

Na2CO3 (solid powder)

250 mL beakers

100 mL cylinders

filter funnels and filter paper

glass rods

porcelain crucibles

heating plates

balance (triple beam or electronic) calculator

periodic table or table with atomic masses

Pre-lab preparation

CaCl2 + Na2CO3 → CaCO3 + NaCl

Stoichiometry of the reaction:

1. CaCl2 + Na2CO3 → CaCO3 + 2NaCl

2. Reactants: Calcium Chloride and Sodium Carbonate

Products: Calcium Carbonate and Sodium Chloride

3. CaCl2 + Na2CO3 → CaCO3 + 2 NaCl

1 mol 1 mol 1 mol 2 mol

Mass:

CaCl2= Ar(Ca) + 2*Ar(Cl) =110,98 , CaCO3= Ar(Ca)+ Ar(C) + 3*Ar(O)= 100,9

Na2CO3= 2*Ar(Na) + Ar(C) + 3*(O) =105,99, NaCl= Ar(Na)+ Ar(Cl) = 58,44

Discussion:

The reaction proceeded in line with the balanced equation, resulting in the formation of

calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and sodium chloride (NaCl). The measured molar ratios and

mass connections were consistent with theoretical predictions. Finally, the reaction generated

the expected products, proving the correctness of the balanced chemical equation. The molar

and mass correlations are related to the equation's stoichiometry. The significance of these

discoveries stems from their contribution to understanding the practical uses of chemical

equations. The efficient manufacture of calcium carbonate under-regulated reaction

circumstances emphasizes the importance of stoichiometry in anticipating and achieving

desired chemical outcomes. This experiment is useful because it provides hands-on

experience with chemical reactions and stoichiometric calculations. It allows for the actual

application of theoretical knowledge to real-world settings, emphasizing the importance of

accuracy in estimating reactant proportions for best product output. Furthermore, the

experiment illustrates the practical utility of stoichiometry in anticipating reaction results and

strengthens key chemical ideas.

Conclusion:

If the yield is lower than predicted, possible causes include insufficient mixing of the

reactants, product loss during filtering or separation, or the presence of contaminants that

interfere with the reaction. A larger yield might be related to contamination, excess reactants,

or inadequate product separation.

CaCO3 + H2SO4 → CaSO4 + H2O + CO2

Marble, which is mostly formed of calcium carbonate, interacts with sulfuric acid-containing

acid rain. This reaction leads to the degradation of marble monuments over time by
converting the calcium carbonate in marble to water-soluble calcium sulfate, resulting in

material and structural integrity loss. Protective measures or acid rain mitigation tactics may

be explored to avoid such degradation.

References:

[PDF] Basic Concepts of Chemistry by Leo J. Malone, Theodore O. Dolter | Perlego. (2012,

April 13). https://www.perlego.com/book/3865650/basic-concepts-of-chemistry