Making and Naming Ionic Compounds
Name:_______________________________________Period:_____________Clean-up:________
Background: By mixing ionic compound solutions, precipitates may form when the
cation of one solution comes into contact with the anion of the other solution. The
formation of these precipitates indicates a chemical change has occurred. In Part 1,
students will observe the formation of ionic compounds by precipitation, write the
formula for the compounds, and write overall ionic & net ionic equations with physical
states for these precipitates. In Part 2, students will use the information they obtained
in Part 1 to identify ionic compounds formed from mixing unknown solutions. After
identifying the ionic compounds, students will name the compounds and write the ionic
equations with the physical states.
Part 1: Making Ionic Compound by Precipitation
Procedure: Using the data table as a guide, add equal amounts of chemicals to the
reaction vessel. Not the minimum number of drops to determine if a chemical change
has occurred. Use this amount of drops for each reaction. Create your own data table
and record the color and texture of the precipitates. Note if no precipitate occurred. Be
sure to include detailed observations of the reactions.
Data Table: (The cations are in the top row as compounds and the anions are in the leftmost column as compounds.)
AgNO3
Na2(CO3)2
Na3PO4
NaOH
Na2SO4
Pb(NO3)2
CaCl2
FeCl3
MgSO4
CuSO4
Part 2: Identifying Cations and Anions by Making Ionic Compounds
Procedure: Using the labels on the chemicals, create a data table to test the solutions for
the formation of precipitates. Chemicals A, B, and C contain the cations which can form
precipitates. Chemicals X, Y, and Z contain anions which can form precipitates. Design a
procedure you will use to identify each cation and anion. Be sure to include observations
of the reactions.
Data Table: Produce another data table. In each box where a precipitate formed, write
the formula and name of the compound. If no precipitate was formed, place an X in the
box.
TYPED LAB REPORT
Must Include:
Title of experiment; Date Performed; Your group members names; Purpose;
Typed completed data table (Part 1)
1. Write the name and formula for the chemical compounds produced in the
mixings. (The cation or anion is the reacting ion causing the chemical change.
The other ion is called a spectator ion. Spectator ions are present during a
chemical reaction, but do no participate in the reaction.)
2. Type detailed observations including the color & texture of any precipitate.
Typed Equations
1. Type overall ionic & net ionic equations, including physical states, for the
precipitates formed from these chemical reactions.
2. Net ionic equations do not include the spectator ions because only the particles
that are directly involved in the chemical change are used. The precipitate is
written to the right of the arrow, and the ions that produced it are to the left of
the arrow.
Typed completed data table (Part 2). Identify Unknowns A, B, C, X, Y, & Z.
Typed Conclusion
Clean-up Initials for all Group Members.