Properties of Common Substances Lab
Purpose:
The purpose of this lab activity is to determine the identity of four common substances using their physical
properties. The substances are copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate, iron filings, sucrose and sodium chloride.
Background Research:
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is an information sheet that tells us about certain elements or compounds that
we will be experimenting on in this lab. Whenever you participate in a lab in chemistry, you should need to read
these sheets and understand them. In order to prepare for your lab, you must first find out what physical
properties that chemicals have. This will help you identify them when you are doing the lab. [8 Knowledge]
Your table should be organized as follows:
Table 1: add a descriptive title
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SUBSTANCES
Physical Appearance
State, odour, lustre,
texture, colour,
malleability etc.
Boiling
Point
Melting
Point
Solubility
Magnetic
Yes or No
Conductor
In solid
Yes or No
Conductor
in liquid
Yes or No
Hypothesis:
Hypothesize about the outcome of the lab.
Safety:
You must read over all the MSDS data and summarize the safety information about the four substances we are
looking at in this lab. Summarize the details in the table similar to the one below. [8 Communication ]
Table 2: Safety Data for 4 substances used in this lab activity.
Substance
First Aid
Measures
Handling
Procedures
Accidental Release
Measures
Personal
Protection
Copper(II) sulphate
pentahydrate
Iron filings
Sucrose
Sodium Chloride
Materials:
Table 3: Materials required for the lab activity.
Substances A
Substances B
Substances C
Substances D
Hot plate
Beakers
Magnifying glass
Magnets
Well plates
Scoopula
Pipettes and bulbs
tongs
Conductivity tester
Petri dish
Distilled Water
Exposure
Controls
Procedure:
1.
2.
Collect a small scoop of the sample of each of the chemicals (A,B,C and D) used for this experiment. Be
sure to keep them separate and labelled so that you know which substance is which.
Using the observation table as a guide, take relevant observations and complete the observation table.
a. Physical Appearance: Look at the sample and record what you see.
b. Magnetic: Place a magnet beneath sample. If sample moves then it is magnetic.
c. Melting Point: Place sample on hot plate. You will not have an exact temperature for comparison
but the relative temperature should help you determine the identity.
d. Conductor. Use conducting device. A red light indicates a positive result.
e. Soluble. Place small amount of sample into water. Gently agitate (stir). If sample dissolves it is
soluble.
f. Conductor (pt. 2). If sample was not a conductor as a solid and gave a positive soluble test, retest conductor as a solution.
Observations:
Create an observation table (titled Table 4: ____ **hint: it should look like table 1) in the observations section of
your lab report. Use the procedure to decide what headings should be used. [8 Thinking/Inquiry]
Analysis:
Complete the following questions in your lab report.
1.
Determine the identity of each of the substances A – D and provide an explanation for each. Hint: you
should discuss the physical properties that led you to determine the identity. To confirm an identity at
least 2 physical properties should be used. [12 Thinking/Inquiry]
2.
Why is it not safe to smell the solids? [2 Application]
3.
If you were colour blind how could you determine the difference between copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate
and sucrose? [2 Application]
4.
Why is it important to read over MSDS before starting a lab? [2 Application]
Conclusion:
Evaluate your tests to determine whether they were useful for distinguishing all the substances from each other,
according to their properties. What improvements could you make?
Restate your hypothesis and summarize your findings in a couple of sentences. [2 Knowledge]
EVALUATION
Communication
(8 marks for safety and 7
marks for overall
organization)
/15
Application
Knowledge
/6
Thinking/Inquiry
/10
/20