Action of heat on Group 1 metal carbonates
For this experiment use anhydrous sodium carbonate that has been dried in an oven at 100 oC for at
least 3 hours. Sodium carbonate is hygroscopic and it absorbs water vapour hence ensure that the
sample chosen is dry. Carry out the experiment as shown in the diagram below.
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Weigh a clean tin lid - then add between 1.0 - 5.30 g of sodium carbonate.
Place on a tripod and heat strongly for 20 minutes.
Reweigh the tin lid and its contents.
Calculate the change in weight - if any.
RESULTS
Mass of tin lid+ sodium carbonate before heating
= ....................................g
Mass of tin lid+ sodium carbonate after heating
= ....................................g
Change in mass
= ....................................g
NOTE
The change in weight of the sodium carbonate should be minimal as pure sodium carbonate does
not decompose on heating.