Unknown Compound Verification Lab Report

Unknown compounds verification

Introduction: In Project 3 we are going to test an unknown compound and there are several different ways that can help us to identify the Unknown substance. And there is some pre-lab information that found in the internet. By Experiment 3: Identification of a Substance by Physical Properties “Every substance has a unique set of properties that allow us to differentiate one from another. These properties can be classified as either physical properties or chemical properties. Physical properties are those that can be determined or measured without changing the composition or identity of the substance. These properties include color, odor, taste, density, melting point, boiling point, conductivity, and hardness.

Here are several examples of chemical properties4:
Heat of combustion is the energy released when a compound undergoes complete combustion (burning) with oxygen. The symbol for the heat of combustion is ΔHc.
Chemical stability refers to whether a compound will react with water or air (chemically stable substances will not react). Hydrolysis and oxidation are two such reactions and are both chemical changes.
Flammability refers to whether a compound will burn when exposed to flame. Again, burning is a chemical reaction—commonly a high-temperature reaction in the presence of oxygen.
The preferred oxidation state is the lowest-energy oxidation state that a metal will undergo reactions in order to achieve (if another element is present to accept or donate

Adding 1 drop of conc. sulfuric acid. (Should be very carefully). Heating the solution for a few minutes in a water bath. Then, waiting a moment, collect data and do the record.

2.Flame Tests: (cation tests) To perform the test, obtain a clean wooden splint. Soak the splint in DI water for at least 10 minutes. Remove the splint from DI water and shake off the excess. Place the splint in your test solution for 1-2 minutes.
Using a properly setup Bunsen burner, remove the splint from the solution and immediately place in the flame and carefully look for any faint color. Be sure the splint itself is not burning, otherwise it may give a false positive. Certain colors are more intense and brilliant than others and, unfortunately, obscure those of less brilliance and intensity. Since a mixture of ions is not useful in identification, one must employ some method to remove interference. One technique is to use colored filters. And record the color of the Flame Tests.