Types of Reactions Lab
Name __________________________
Date _______________ Period ______
INTRODUCTION
Matter can undergo both physical and chemical changes. Chemical changes result in the formation of
new materials. Observable signs of chemical reaction include the release of a gas, a change in color,
the formation of a solid, and the production of heat and light.
Chemical reactions can be classified in many ways. One classification system involves five
general types of reactions: synthesis, decomposition, single displacement, double displacement, and
combustion. In this lab, you will perform several reactions and classify them as one or more of the five
general types.
SAFETY



Wear gloves when handling Silver Nitrate, AgNO3
Do NOT look directly at burning magnesium. The intense light may damage your eyes.
Wear safety goggles at ALL times. We are working with hazardous chemicals.
PROCEDURE
Start off at a station and complete the reaction within the five minutes allotted. Make sure to record all
observations and to write down reactants. Make sure to clean up your lab station when you are done and
to dump chemicals in appropriate waste jars. We will complete the equations together in class Monday.
Reaction A
1. Add about 1 mL (1 mL  one squirt from the pipette) of calcium chloride solution, CaCl2, to a clean
test tube. Next, add about 1 mL of sodium carbonate solution, Na2CO3, to the same test tube.
Record your observations. Dispose of solution down the sink.
Reaction B
2. Stand a clean test tube in the test tube rack and add 1-2 mL of Silver Nitrate, AgNO3. Carefully
add a piece of copper wire into test tube.
3. Stir the solution gently and record your observations. Dispose of solution in waste jar.
Reaction C
4. Follow Mr. T’s instructions to burn methane bubbles in your hands. Make sure your hands are wet
and you do not pull hands toward your face when the bubbles ignite.
5. Record observations below.
Reaction D
6. Place a watch glass next to the burner. Examine a piece of magnesium ribbon and record your
observations. Using crucible tongs, hold the ribbon in the burner flame until the magnesium starts
to burn. DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE FLAME. Hold the burning magnesium directly over
the watch glass. When the ribbon stops burning, place the remains on the watch glass. Examine
this product thoroughly and record your observations. Turn off the burner. Throw waste in jar and
wash off watch glass.
Demo (Monday)
Record observations of the reaction in the table on the next page.
OBSERVATIONS
Record the appearance of the reactants before and the products after each reaction takes place.
REACTION
BEFORE REACTION
AFTER REACTION
A.
B.
C.
D.
ANALYSIS
Write down the starting materials for each reaction you do. Predict the products and classify the reaction.
Reaction
A
Reactants
→
→
B
→
C
→
D
→
Demo
→
Products
Classification
CONCLUSIONS
Answer the following questions based on the results of your lab:

What signs did you observe that indicated a chemical reaction was taking place? Be specific.