Planning an experiment between copper (II) carbonate and hydrochloric acid
Year 8
Name:__________________________________
The reaction:
Coper (II) carbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce a salt, water and carbon
dioxide gas as shown by the word equation below
copper (II) carbonate + hydrochloric acid  salt + water + carbon dioxide
The production of carbon dioxide can be seen by bubbles (a gas) being given off.
The aim:
You need to investigate if two differing concentrations of hydrochloric acid will produce a
difference in the rate of bubbles being produced (rate of reaction). The rate of bubbles being
produced can be measured by recording the time until bubbles no longer form. The different
concentration of hydrochloric acid you will be using are __________ and _____________.
Planning:
Independent variable:
Dependent variable:
Hypothesis or prediction:
Controlled variables:
Materials:
1 x 0.5mol HCl dropper bottle
1 x 1mol HCl dropper bottle
1 x metal spoon/spatula
1 x vial of solid sodium carbonate
1 x measuring cylinder
2 x test tubes
2 x labels for test tubes
Method:
1. Collect safety equipment and materials from the above list
2. Ensure test tubes are sitting in the test tube rack
3. Label one test tube 0.5mol HCl and label the other 1mol HCl
4. Using measuring cylinders measure 10mL of hydrochloric acid and place in each test
tube
5. Using the metal spoon or spatula place two spatulas of the solid copper (II)
carbonate into the HCl of the 0.5mol HCl and start the timer
6. Continue the timer until bubbles have stopped forming. Record your results in the
results table below
7. Repeat steps 4-5 with the 1mol HCl test tube.
8. Pour the waste into the ice-cream bucket at the front labelled waste
9. Wash out the test tubes at a sink and place back on the trolley
10. Pack up all other equipment
Record the results in the table below:
Title: the rate of bubbles produced of two different concentrations of hydrochloric acid
reacting with copper (II) carbonate
Concentrations of
HCl
Rate of bubbles
produced
(time it takes for
bubbles to stop)
Other visual observations
0.5mol
1mol
Discussion:
How can you use the rate of bubbles produced to explain the difference between the two
chemical reactions?
What visual observations assist to support that a chemical reaction has occurred?
How can you relate this to your understanding of chemical changes?