Periodic Trends - Alkaline Earth Metals Lab

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This lab will be concerning experimentally determine specific physical and/or chemical properties that are similar in Groups and between Group in a specific row (on the Periodic table). In particular, this lab will focus on the Alkaline Earth Metal elements (Group 2 on Periodic Table) and a few Alkali metal elements (Group 1 on Periodic Table).

Note: There will be a part of this lab students will not perform but instead will be demonstrated by the teacher. Students will write down in their Data (or Observation) table their observation. Specifically, it is the reaction when Lithium metal, Sodium metal, and Potassium metal is added to water.

Directions


This lab is broken into 2 subsection, reactions of specific metals with water and the solubility of metal sulfates. The 2 subsection are separate from each other so this overall lab can be performed different for different as long as each subsection is done completely before starting the other subsection.

Reaction with water (H2O1)

1. Obtain a piece of calcium metal and add to a small test of water (about 1/4 - 1/3 filled). Before adding in calcium metal, please a drop of phthalein (it indicates the presence of OH1- ions). This ion is a product of a metal reacting with water (more ions, more reaction). Record your observations.

2. All test tubes will be held with test tube clamps. NOTE: Gas that is generated is dangerous if directions are not followed specifically. Invert another small test and hold it over the small test tube with the reaction occurring in it to collect gas that is generated. Then exposed the collect gas to a light match by keeping test tube inverted (do this at least a 1-2 feet from reaction test tube. Make observations.

3. Once observed, decant off the solution into the sink water from the calcium turning. Any unused calcium should be dried and put in a special container in the exhaust hood (see teacher for specifics).

4. Do the same with a small 1-2cm piece of Magnesium ribbon. If you do not see same results as step above, add the test tube (including metal) into a 250 ml beaker of hot water (since it is on a hot plate). Record your observation include what happened with room temperature water. Will not do check for gas product in this reaction since there is very little gas generated (if I am wrong and there is enough gas generated, use the test above to determine what the gas product is.

5. With the Magnesium, the unused portion can be dried and given back to teacher (does not need to be put in a special container under the exhaust hood.

6. For both reactions, rinse out with tap water the test tube and shake dry. Will be used in the next subsection of the lab.

7. Put back into container any unused and uncontaminated metal solid (this is metal that was not put in the test tube, if any).


Solubility of Sulfates

8. Weigh out 1.00g of magnesium sulfate and add it to small test tube. Repeat for calcium sulfate and barium sulfate.

9. To each of the 3 test tube, add 5ml of distilled water (either by a graduated cylinder or by disposable pipette).

10. Using a glass stirring rod, dissolve as much of the solid as possible. If using the same glass stirring rod, make sure to rinse and dry between test tubes.

11. Make observations and put in Data/observation table.

12. Decant solution from any undissolved solid into the sink and dispose of the solid in the trash.

13. Rinse test tubes of any residual material and shake dry for other subsection.



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Last edited November 29, 2016 12:19 pm (diff)
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