Chemical Reaction Types and Their Equations
Experiments
Open the simulation by clicking on the virtual lab icon below. The simulation will launch
in a new window.
You may need to move or resize the window in order to view both the Procedure
and the simulation at the same time.
Follow the instructions in the Procedure to complete each part of the simulation. When
instructed to record your observations, record data, or complete calculations, record them
for your own records in order to use them later to complete the post-lab assignment.
Procedures
Experiment 1: Perform a Synthesis Reaction
1. Take a balance from the Instruments shelf and place it on the workbench.
2. Take a crucible from the Containers shelf and place it on the balance. Record
the mass of the crucible to reference later.
1. 35.000g = crucible
3. Remove the crucible from the balance. Add 5 g of magnesium (Mg) to the
crucible from the Materials shelf.
4. Place the crucible on the balance. Record the total mass of the crucible plus
magnesium (Mg). Remove the crucible from the balance.
1. 40.000g = crucible + 5 g Mg
5. Take a Bunsen burner from the Instruments shelf and place it on the
workbench.
6. Drag the crucible and place it on the Bunsen burner. Double-click the crucible
for the option to see a cutaway view, allowing you to observe the contents of
the crucible.
7. Turn on the Bunsen burner by clicking the knob at the bottom to the low
flame. (Clicking on the knob multiple times will increase the intensity of the
flame until it is clicked off.) Record your observations.
1. increase in mass
8. Wait 1 – 2 minutes and then remove the crucible from the flame by placing it
on the workbench and turning the burner off.
9. Wait a few minutes for the crucible to cool, then place it on the balance.
Measure and record the mass of the crucible and its contents.
1. Mass of crucible + Mg after heating = 43.291 g
10. Clear your station by emptying the crucible into the waste, then placing it in
the sink.
Experiment 2: Perform a Decomposition Reaction
1. Take a new clean crucible from the Containers shelf and place it on the
balance. Record the mass of the crucible.
2. Remove the crucible from the balance. Add 5 g of copper(II) carbonate
hydroxide (Cu2CO3(OH)2) from the Materials shelf to the crucible.
3. Place the crucible on the balance. Record the total mass of the crucible and
its contents.
4. Remove the crucible from the balance and place it on the Bunsen burner.
5. Double-click the crucible for the option to see a cutaway view.
6. Turn on the Bunsen burner to the low flame.
7. Watch the crucible until the green compound changes color. Record the
observations.
8. Remove the crucible from the Bunsen burner and turn the burner off.
9. Wait a few minutes for the crucible to cool, then place it on the balance.
Record the mass of the crucible and its contents.
10. Clear your station by dragging the Bunsen burner back to the shelf, emptying
the crucible into the waste, then placing it in the sink.
Experiment 3: Perform a Single Displacement Reaction
1. Take a clean 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask from the Containers shelf and place
it on the workbench.
2. Add 15 mL of 6 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) from the Materials shelf to the
Erlenmeyer flask.
3. Double-click on the Erlenmeyer flask and select Close to put an air-tight
stopper on it.
4. Take a thermometer from the Instruments shelf and connect it to the
Erlenmeyer flask.
5. Take a pressure gauge and connect it to the Erlenmeyer flask.
6. Add 0.20 g of zinc (Zn) from the Materials shelf to the Erlenmeyer flask. You
can try the same experiment with 20 g of zinc and see what happens.
7. Observe and record any indication that a reaction has occurred.
8. Wait for the solution in the Erlenmeyer flask to cool down within half a degree
of room temperature (21.5°C). Remove the thermometer and pressure
gauge.
9. Take a syringe from the Instruments shelf and connect it to the Erlenmeyer
flask. This allows gas to escape from the Erlenmeyer flask into the syringe.
10. Double-click to read the volume of gas collected in the syringe. Record the
volume of the gas collected.
11. Clear your station by dragging all instruments back to the shelf, emptying the
flask into the waste, then placing it in the sink.
Experiment 4: Perform a Double Displacement Reaction
1. Take two 250 mL beakers from the Containers shelf and place them on the
workbench.
2. Add 150 mL of 1 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution from the Materials
shelf to one of the beakers.
3. Add 60 mL of nickel(II) chloride solution (NiCl2) from the Materials shelf to
the other, empty, beaker. You may want to label your beakers by doubleclicking on each and entering a name.
4. Observe the contents of each beaker. Record the observations.
5. Pour the entire contents of one beaker into the other. Record your
observations of the reaction that occurs.
6. Clear the bench of all materials, containers, and instruments, then return to
your course page to complete any assignments for this lab.