You should observe a gas bubbling up into the second test tube. This reaction happens quite rapidly.
Conclusions:
When hydrogen peroxide is added to manganese dioxide it decomposes to form oxygen and water. The chemical decomposition reaction that takes place can be written as follows:
Note that the manganese dioxide is a catalyst and is not shown in the reaction. (A catalyst helps speed up a chemical reaction.)
The previous experiment used the downward displacement of water to collect a gas. This is a very common way to collect a gas in chemistry. The oxygen that is evolved in this reaction moves along the delivery tube and then collects in the top of the test tube. It does this because it is lighter than water and so displaces the water downwards. If you use a test tube with an outlet attached, you could collect the oxygen into jars and store it for use in other experiments.
The above experiment can be very vigourous and produce a lot of oxygen very rapidly. For this reason you use dilute hydrogen peroxide and only a small amount of manganese dioxide.
Synthesis reactions
During a
synthesis reaction , a new product is formed from elements or smaller compounds. The generalised equation for a synthesis reaction is as follows:
One example of a synthesis reaction is the burning of magnesium in oxygen to form magnesium oxide(
[link] ). The equation for the reaction is:
The synthesis of magnesium oxide (
) from magnesium and oxygen
Experiment: chemical reactions involving iron and sulphur
Aim:
To demonstrate the synthesis of iron sulphide from iron and sulphur.
Apparatus:
5,6 g iron filings and 3,2 g powdered sulphur; porcelain dish; test tube; Bunsen burner
Method:
Measure the quantity of iron and sulphur that you need and mix them in a porcelain dish.
Take some of this mixture and place it in the test tube. The test tube should be about 1/3 full.
This reaction should ideally take place in a fume cupboard. Heat the test tube containing the mixture over the Bunsen burner. Increase the heat if no reaction takes place. Once the reaction begins, you will need to remove the test tube from the flame. Record your observations.
Wait for the product to cool before breaking the test tube with a hammer. Make sure that the test tube is rolled in paper before you do this, otherwise the glass will shatter everywhere and you may be hurt.
What does the product look like? Does it look anything like the original reactants? Does it have any of the properties of the reactants (e.g. the magnetism of iron)?
When working with a bunsen burner work in a well ventilated space and ensure that there are no flammable substances close by. Always tuck loose clothing in and ensure that long hair is tied back.
Results:
After you removed the test tube from the flame, the mixture glowed a bright red colour. The reaction is exothermic and
produces energy .
The product, iron sulphide, is a dark colour and does not share any of the properties of the original reactants. It is an entirely new product.
Conclusions:
A synthesis reaction has taken place. The equation for the reaction is:
Investigation : physical or chemical change?
Apparatus:
Bunsen burner, 4 test tubes, a test tube rack and a test tube holder, small spatula, pipette, magnet, a birthday candle,
(table salt),
,
, magnesium ribbon, iron filings, sulphur.
stains the skin. Be careful when working with it or use gloves.
Method:
Place a small amount of wax from a birthday candle into a test tube and heat it over the bunsen burner until it melts. Leave it to cool.
Add a small spatula of
to 5 ml water in a test tube and shake. Then use the pipette to add 10 drops of
to the sodium chloride solution. NOTE: Please be careful
causes bad stains!!
Take a 5 cm piece of magnesium ribbon and tear it into 1 cm pieces. Place two of these pieces into a test tube and add a few drops of
. NOTE: Be very careful when you handle this acid because it can cause major burns.
Take about 0,5 g iron filings and 0,5 g sulphur. Test each substance with a magnet. Mix the two samples in a test tube and run a magnet alongside the outside of the test tube.
Now heat the test tube that contains the iron and sulphur. What changes do you see? What happens now, if you run a magnet along the outside of the test tube?
In each of the above cases, record your observations.
Questions:
Decide whether each of the following changes are physical or chemical and give a reason for your answer in each case. Record your answers in the table below:
