Preparation of a pure, dry sample of a soluble salt from an insoluble oxide or carbonate, using a Bunsen burner to heat dilute acid and a water bath to evaporate the solution.
In this required practical, students are expected to use laboratory heating equipment and techniques to make a soluble salt (Copper (ii) Sulfate) from an acid and an insoluble salt. They are assessed on their ability to use the equipment and follow the procedure safely.
Subject: Chemistry | Level: GCSE |
Preparation and Initial Setup
Gather Equipment
Collect the required laboratory equipment, including a Bunsen burner, heatproof mat, tripod, gauze, 100ml beaker, tongs, glass rod, filter funnel, filter paper, 250ml conical flask, evaporating basin, and a 250ml beaker for the water bath.
Set Up Heating Apparatus
Place the Bunsen burner on the heatproof mat. Set up the tripod and gauze above the Bunsen burner.
Preparing the Solution
Heat the Acid
Carefully measure 40ml of Sulfuric Acid and pour it into the 100ml beaker.
Heat the acid gently over the Bunsen burner until it is almost boiling.
Turn off the Bunsen burner once the acid is heated.
Add Copper (II) Oxide
Using tongs, carefully remove the beaker from the tripod and place it on the heatproof mat.
Add a small amount of Copper (II) Oxide powder to the heated acid.
Stir the solution with a glass rod until the powder dissolves and the solution turns blue.
Repeat Copper (II) Oxide Addition
Continue adding small amounts of Copper (II) Oxide, stirring each time, until some powder remains undissolved in the solution. This indicates that the acid is fully reacted.
Cool the Solution
Allow the solution to cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
Filtering and Crystallisation
Filter the Solution
Set up a filter funnel with filter paper and place it in a 250ml conical flask.
Carefully pour the cooled solution through the filter paper to remove excess Copper (II) Oxide powder.
Prepare for Crystallisation
Transfer the filtered solution into an evaporating basin.
Create a water bath by filling a 250ml beaker with water and heating it over the Bunsen burner.
Place the evaporating basin on top of the water bath.
Begin Evaporation
Heat the water bath gently until crystals begin to form in the evaporating basin.
Turn off the Bunsen burner once crystallisation starts.
Allow Crystals to Form
Place the evaporating basin in a safe location where it will not be disturbed.
Leave it undisturbed for at least 24 hours to allow the crystals to fully form.
Collect and Dry Crystals
After 24 hours, use a spatula to remove the crystals from the remaining solution.
Gently pat the crystals dry with a paper towel or filter paper.
Analysis
Write Chemical Equations
Write both a word equation and a symbol equation for the reaction conducted.
Video produced by revisechemistrywithmrb,
practical GCSE Chemistry tutorials by a specialist Chemistry teacher with over 25 years experience.
• A couple of Gratnells trays could be used to house the students’ samples in evaporating basins whilst they are developing.
• After the crystals of Copper (II) Sulfate have been observed by the students, these can be collected and can be used to make Copper (ii) Sulfate solution for non-analytical purposes.
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