Name ______________________________ Strontium Carbonate Lab
Question: What is the molarity of a solution of sodium carbonate?
Materials: sodium carbonate solution of unknown molarity, strontium nitrate or
strontium chloride solution, two beakers, glass funnel, filter paper, distilled water,
graduated cylinder, glass stir rod
Procedure:
1. Fold filter paper, write name on outside of the cone, and mass filter paper.
2. Pour 5-10 ml of sodium carbonate solution into a 10 ml graduated cylinder and
measure and record the volume. Pour the sodium carbonate solution from the
cylinder into a clean beaker.
3. Rinse the 10 ml graduated cylinder with distilled water.
4. Pour 15-25 ml of strontium nitrate or strontium chloride solution into a 25 ml
graduated cylinder and measure and record the volume. Pour about half of this
into the beaker with the sodium carbonate solution. Stir and allow the precipitate
to settle. Add more strontium nitrate or strontium chloride a little at a time until
no more precipitate can be observed forming in the beaker. (The goal is to make
sure that all the sodium carbonate in the beaker completely reacts.)
5. Filter the precipitate. Rinse the beaker with distilled water to get all of the
precipitate into the filter. Rinse the precipitate on the filter paper with distilled
water. Carefully remove the filter paper from the glass funnel and place in a
secure area to dry overnight.
6. Write a complete balanced equation for the reaction between aqueous
strontium nitrate and aqueous sodium carbonate. Circle the precipitate.
Data Table
Mass of filter paper
Volume of sodium carbonate solution
poured into the beaker
Total volume of strontium nitrate solution
added to beaker
Mass of dry filter paper + dry precipitate
Mass of dry strontium carbonate
What is the molarity of the sodium carbonate solution. Show all work!