Exp 1 Determination of Formula Unit of A Compound Pre Lab and Lab
Exp 1 Determination of Formula Unit of A Compound Pre Lab and Lab
Exp 1 Determination of Formula Unit of A Compound Pre Lab and Lab
PRE -LAB
EXPERIMENT 1 - DETERMINATION OF THE FORMULA UNIT OF A
COMPOUND
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
i. Define the terms compound, formula unit, empirical formula and molecular formula
ii. Determine the formula unit of a compound
iii. Identify the safety precautions of the experiment
Direction: Read over the lab manual and then answer the following question.
Introduction:
4. The formula unit of a compound can be determined if the composition or the ratio of the
elements in the compound is known. Consider a compound that contains 0.20 mole of
aluminum and 0.30 mole of oxygen. Determine its formula unit.
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PRE-LAB
Procedure:
2. The compound should not be heated to the point that it melts. Explain.
3. Why is the compound reheated, cooled and reweighed after the first heating?
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PRE-LAB
An experiment was conducted to determine the formula unit of magnesium oxide. The
following data was recorded.
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SK015 LAB MANUAL
2 hours 0
Introduction
One of the main properties of a compound is its chemical composition which can be identified
by determining the elements present. A quantitative analysis can be used to determine the
composition of an unknown compound. Once the composition of the compound is known, it’s
formula unit can be determined. For example, a compound containing 0.1 mole of silver and
0.1 mole of bromine will have a formula unit, AgBr.
In this experiment, a simple compound composed of zinc and chlorine will be prepared. Once
the mass of zinc and the mass of the compound are known, the mass of chlorine can be
determined. Using these masses, the percentage composition of the compound can be
calculated and the formula unit can be deduced.
Procedure
2. Place approximately 0.25 g of zinc powder into the crucible and determine the exact
mass of zinc powder.
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SK015 LAB MANUAL
3. Carefully add in 10 mL of 6 M HCl solution into the crucible containing the zinc powder
and stir gently with a glass rod. A vigorous chemical reaction will occur and hydrogen
gas will be released.
Carry out this step in a fume cupboard. Do not work near a fire
CAUTION !
source. Wet hydrogen gas can cause explosions.
4. If the zinc powder does not dissolved completely, continue adding the acid, 5 mL at a
time until all zinc is dissolved. The amount of acid to be used must not exceed 20 mL.
5. Place the crucible on a hot plate in the fume cupboard and heat the content slowly so
that the compound does not splatter during the heating process.
6. Heat the compound gently until it is completely dry. Remove the crucible from the hot
plate immediately to avoid the compound from melting.
7. Cover the crucible and allow it to cool to room temperature. Then weigh the crucible and
the compound. Record the mass.
8. Reheat the crucible to dry the compound. Let it cool to room temperature and then weigh
it again. Repeat the procedure until the difference in mass does not exceed 0.02 g.
9. Determine the mass of zinc chloride from the final weight of the sample (the smallest
value). Calculate the mass of chlorine in the zinc chloride.
EXERCISE
3. Write a balanced equation for the reaction between zinc and hydrochloric acid.
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APPENDIX
RESULTS:
3. Zinc powder
4. Crucible + zinc chloride:
i) First heating 29.0990
5. Zinc chloride