Score Maximum points

Appearance/Organization 5
Lab report uses headings and
subheadings to visually
organize material

Introduction 20
The primary topic/goal of the
study is explained in clear,
concise terms
Material is translated into
student’s own words
Background information is
pertinent to topic and
improves reader
understanding of the
investigation and report

Materials and Methods 10

Complete and detailed list of
materials in 2 vertical
columns
Methods are listed in clear
steps that are easy to follow
and reproducible by another
person

Observation Sheet 10
Observations are clear and
accurate

Results 20
Organized and clear
representation of data using
tables, graphs, pictures with
correct titles
Correct units are used when
necessary
Explain your actual findings

Discussion 20
Describes what was learned
from the experiment
Explains sources of error
Discusses variables,
trends/patterns found in
results
Explanation of how
information applies to the
real world

Spelling, grammar, 10
punctuation
There are 1 or fewer errors in
punctuation and grammar in
the report
Written in third person, past
tense, passive voice form

Literature Cited 5
All references are cited in
APA format and cited
correctly
Each source was cited in
report

100 pts
 ELECTROCHEMISTRY: SILVER TREE EXPERIMENT
1. Introduction
Organic compounds are compounds that contain carbon, or simply any
compound that has a carbon atom. The term organic compound comes from the ancient
notation that those compounds could only be synthesized in living organisms through a
life-force. Moreover, such are considered organic because in the basis of chemistry,
organic clearly means “carbon based”. They are synthesized via covalent bonds within
living organisms, including the human body. However, everything that has carbon is not
necessarily considered as an organic compound. Some inorganic compounds do, in fact,
contain carbon. For instance, carbon dioxide is not considered to be an organic
compound. It is because organic molecules not only contain carbon, they contain
hydrocarbons or carbon bonded to hydrogen. Also, carbon dioxide occurs naturally from
processes that are definitely not organic. Inorganic compounds contain metal atoms
that are ionic in nature.
While both types of compounds form the basis and foundation of chemistry, the
two types are rather unlike in nature. There are several properties of chemical
compounds that are used to compare different compounds. That properties make the
compound distinct to the other compound.
The wide understanding of the properties of organic and inorganic compounds
are a vital part for students to distinguish the difference between the two compounds. It
is especially crucial for laboratory work, where people perform experiments with
different substances. It is necessary for the successful conduct of an experiment and
proper analysis of the resulting data.
As cited in the website for study.com, these properties include solubility,
viscosity, density, conductivity and reactivity. In addition, it is said that the properties of
organic compounds are decided by certain active atom or group of atoms known as the
functional group. Functional groups as defined are atoms connected to carbon chains or
rings of organic molecules. Organic compounds are mostly insoluble in water but soluble
in organic solvents and are combustible.
These three experiments showed three contrasting characteristics of different
compounds that can be observed in a laboratory setting such as how the compounds
behave in fire and interact with different solvents.

2. Materials and Methods

 Chemicals/ Reagents
25 ml Ethanol Benzoic Acid
40 ml NaCl Solution 10 g Naphthalene
Potassium Chloride 5 ml Petroleum Ether
Sucrose 25 ml Glycerol

Apparatus
Beaker Test Tube Rack
Evaporating Dish Spatula
Alcohol Lamp Dropper
Test Tubes Crucible Tong

Procedures:

I. Flammability Test
A 2.0 to 3.0 drops of ethanol was assigned in an evaporating dish. Then,
the ethanol was ignited with lighted matchstick. The same procedure was
repeated, using sodium chloride (NaCl) solution instead of ethanol.

II. Charring
A pinch of sucrose was placed in a tin bottle cap. Next, the tin bottle cap
was heated over the Bunsen flame for 2-3 minutes. The same procedure was
repeated, using potassium chloride (KCl) solution instead of sucrose.

III. Solubility Test

In 3 separate test tubes, a 2.0 ml each of distilled water was assigned.
Then, a pinch of benzoic acid, naphthalene, and NaCl was added consecutively to
each test tubes and was shaken vigorously. The same procedure was repeated,
using petroleum ether instead of water.

3. Results

1. Flammability Test
 COMPOUND OBSERVATION

Ethanol (Organic) flammable

Sodium chloride (NaCl) (Inorganic) not flammable

2. Charring

COMPOUND OBSERVATION
Sucrose (organic) Charred

Potassium chloride (KCl) (inorganic) Not charred

3. Solubility Test

COMPOUND DISTILLED WATER PETROLEUM ETHER

Benzoic Acid (Organic) not soluble soluble

Naphthalene (Organic) slightly soluble soluble

Sodium chloride (NaCl) soluble not soluble

(Inorganic)

4. Discussion

According to The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, ethanol is the principal type

of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, produced by the fermentation of sugars by
yeasts. It is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. In the process of flammability test,
ethanol was caught into flame when it made contact with it. After several seconds, the
 ethanol evaporated. Therefore, the solution is considered as flammable producing a
blue luminescence flame without any visible smoke. While, sodium chloride is an ionic
compound, the salt most responsible for the salinity of the ocean and the extracellular
fluid of many multicellular organisms. NaCl as expected, did not create flame because
salt does not contain carbon atom.

In the ignition or charring, sucrose, an organic compound, started to form

bubbles and appeared to have change in color when heated over a bunsen flame. After
that, it turned into a sticky solid that changed colors from brown to black. On the other
hand, potassium chloride did not react with the ignition. Thus, it is an inorganic
compound that remained the same after being heated.

Solubility plays a vital role in identifying the composition of an unknown organic

compound. In this experiment, two organic and one inorganic compound are tested to
identify its solubility on distilled water and petroleum ether. Water was the first solvent
used to test the compounds including sodium chloride. It was found to be miscible in
water. This immediately gives an idea that it is a polar compound in accordance to the
fact that water is also a polar solvent, and as the rule states “like dissolves like”. Benzoic
acid was insoluble in water in experimentation and was therefore soluble in petroleum
ether.

5. Literature Cited

https://www.britannica.com/science/ethanol

https://study.com/academy/lesson/comparing-inorganic-organic-compounds-explanation-
practice.html

www.sciencedirect.com