Reactions between Aqueous Solutions of Ionic Compounds and Acids
Introduction:
When mixed together, aqueous solutions of ionic compounds, acids may react to
form precipitates, gas and liquid water.
Purpose:
The student will investigate reactions between aqueous solutions of ionic
compounds and acids.
Materials / Equipment:
Sodium chloride solution
Sodium sulfate solution
Sodium carbonate solution
Calcium chloride solution
Silver nitrate solution
Barium chloride solution
Hydrochloric acid solution
Sodium hydroxide solution
Phenolphthalein indicator solution
Safety:
 Always wear safety glasses and apron in the chemistry lab.
 Never eat or drink in the chemistry lab.
 Avoid contact of all chemicals with eyes and all body tissues.
 Always dispose waste chemicals according to approved practices.
Procedure:
Part A:
1. Use the microplates for the reactions. Each well should be used for one reaction.
2. Use distilled water to wash each cell carefully.
3. In three wells, mix solutions of sodium chloride, barium chloride, and calcium
chloride in pairs.
4. Record observations.
Part B:
1. Select a row of three wells. In each well, transfer 1/3-well full of sodium chloride
solution.
2. Select another row of three wells. In each well, transfer 1/3-well full of barium
chloride solution.
3. Select another row of three wells. In each well, transfer 1/3-well full of calcium
chloride solution.
4. Put 10 drops of sodium carbonate solution into sodium chloride solution, barium
chloride solution, and calcium chloride solution, respectively. Observe.
5. Put 10 drops of sodium sulfate solution into sodium chloride solution, barium
chloride solution, and calcium chloride solution, respectively. Observe.
6. Put 10 drops of silver nitrate solution into sodium chloride solution, barium
chloride solution, and calcium chloride solution, respectively. Observe.
7. Carefully record observations in data tables.
8. Dispose the contents according to instruction by the teacher.
9. Wash the microplate thoroughly first with tap water, then rinse 3 times with
distilled water.
Part C:
1. Transfer ~2 mL of sodium carbonate solution into a clean test tube.
2. Put in 10 drops of hydrochloric acid solution. Observe.
3. Dispose the contents according to instruction by the teacher.
4. Wash the test tube thoroughly with tap water.
Part D:
1. Transfer ~2 mL of hydrochloric acid solution into a clean test tube.
2. Put in 2 drops of phenolphthalein indicator.
3. Introduce sodium hydroxide solution into the test tube drop by drop.
4. Shake the test tube and observe.
5. Dispose the contents according to instruction by the teacher.
6. Wash the test tube thoroughly with tap water.
Pre-lab questions:
1. Draw a schematic illustration for dissolution of ionic compounds in water.
2. Write formula units for all compounds used in the lab.
3. What is the phenolphthalein indicator?
4. Construct data tables for proper record keeping.
Data Analysis:
 Carefully record all observations.

Attempt to find trends in the data sets.
Post-lab Questions:
1. For Part A, write possible outcomes for the double-replacement reactions. Are
there any chemical changes? What do the observation mean regards to solubility
of those ionic compounds containing chloride?
2. For Part B, write possible outcomes for the double-replacement reactions. Are
there any chemical changes? Summarize solubility of ionic compounds involved
in those mixtures.
3. Postulate what happened on the microscopic scale for Part C.
4. Postulate what happened on the microscopic scale for Part D.