Lab 6.2: Acid and Base Properties

This experiment approached electrolytes and then acids and bases from a variety of angles. At the end of the lab and this blog post you should understand:

• How to compare electrolytes to non-electrolyes and how to classify electrolytes as acids bases and salts
• The basic properties of acids and bases and how they have impact on indicators
• What happens in a neutralization reaction and how the difference in concentration has an influence on that reaction

For the first section you need to do the following in a well written paragraph.

• Explain the type of bonding that takes place in electrolytes
• Explain why electrolytes conduct electricity when they are dissolved in water
• Explain why non-electrolytes do not conduct electricity when they are dissolved in water
• Find why electrolytes are important to our nervous system

For part II you need to do the following:

• Explain in your own words how an indicator works, what happens to them under different conditions, and a limitation of an indicator [hint: bromothymol blue was useful to a certain point].
• Mention what the tastes for acids and bases were. From you experience with foods come up with at least on food item that likely contains acidic or basic compounds. If you are unsure look it up.
• Find a chemical property for each acids and bases. Hint: You did an mini experiment with magnesium metal. Once again, if need be look another one up.
• ENRICHMENT: Look up how indicators really work. This is a little complex and will require you to do some reading, but once you know I think it is pretty cool.

For the final part, you need to do the following:

• Explain how a neutralization reaction forms its products. Use an example from the lab if it helps you explain or show. You can use a chemical equation if you need to, but make sure you provide supporting information.
• Explain how your thought process that you used to determine which solution was which. Include any information about what you were thinking when you were doing your neutralization. Explain why just using indicator was insufficient to determine which acid was which.

This lab was a lengthy one, so I am looking to make sure that you understand what you did. if you have any questions you can email me, or text 210-CHEM number to get help and pointed in the right direction!

Blog 6.1 Double Replacement Reactions

In our miniature sized lab we looked at many different scenarios where a double replacement reaction either resulted in no apparent change, or the formation of a precipitate.

First, take a look at your predictions. Where they all accurate? If not explain which ones did not match up. See if you can figure out what happened. There was one trial that had results that did not match up with the expected prediction. Where you able to find it, which one was it?

Precipitation reactions are very important in water treatment and purification. Find a contaminant that is removed from waste water before it is processed back into nature using a precipitation reaction (hint do a google search). See if this reaction is consistent with the information on Table F (it depends on the ion that is used). Sulfate is an ion that is often used to form precipitates, using Table F why is this a good choice.