Copper Sulfate and Paper Clip Lab
You will be graded on the following criteria:
 Quality of your observations
 Lab Stewardship (Cleaning and Safety)
Copper Sulfate and Paper Clip Lab
Hazards
Copper sulfate (CuSO4) is toxic by ingestion and is both an eye
and skin irritant. If you are allergic to copper you should wear
gloves or avoid handling the materials associated with this lab. If it
gets on your skin you should wash your hands thoroughly with
soap and water. If you get any materials from this labs in your eyes
immediately notify the instructor and proceed to the eye wash
fountain.
Clean Up and Disposal
 Remove the stopper from the test tube and empty the
contents into the funnel placed on the beaker labeled Copper
Waste.
 Use the water bottle provided to rinse the inside of the test
tube several times. Dispose of these rinses in the funnel as
well.
 Place the test tube in the rack provided.
 Place the stopper in the container provided.
 Any filter papers with a paper clip may be thrown into the
trash. Place the Petri dish in the container provided.
 Wash your hands thoroughly.
Copper Sulfate and Paper Clip Lab Procedure
 Obtain a paper clip, a large test tube containing copper
sulfate (CuSO4) solution, and well plate.
 Stand the test tube of copper sulfate in Well B4. The test
tube should be returned to this well whenever you are not
holding it directly.
 Record your observations of the copper sulfate solution and
the paper clip on the template provided. You may remove the
stopper in order to detect any odors that may be present.
(Remember: Waft!)
 Remove the stopper and allow the paper clip to slide into the
copper sulfate solution. Replace the stopper and record your
observations of any changes in the appearance of the paper
clip and/or copper sulfate solution over the next 5 minutes.
 If time permits, you may ask the instructor if you may
remove the paper clip to a paper filter in a Petri dish for
inspection under a magnifying glass or microscope.
Chemistry
Name:
Title: Reaction of Copper Sulfate With a Paper Clip
Purpose: To use physical properties to describe the reactants and products.
To describe the changes observed over the course of the reaction.
Describe the solution of copper sulfate (CuSO4).
Describe the paper clip.
Describe your observations over the course of the reaction.
Chemistry
Name:
Reaction of Copper Sulfate With a Paper Clip: The Sequel
Purpose: To filter the products and perform a qualitative test for the presence
of iron(II) or iron (III). To use observed color changes to determine if a
chemical reaction has taken place.
Describe the material that was retained in the filter.
Describe the filtrate. [Liquid that passed through the funnel.]
What is your evidence that this was a chemical reaction?
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Step 1
Transfer the contents of Wells A1, A2 and A3 to the test tube in A4.
Rinse your pipette 3 times as described in the general procedures section.
Transfer the contents of Wells B1, B2 and B3 to the test tube in B4.
Rinse your pipette 3 times as described in the general procedures section.
Describe their appearance in the space labeled Step 1 on the template
provided.
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Step 2
Cap the tubes and shake each of them vigorously 5 or 6 times.
Record your observations of any changes in the tubes in the space
labeled Step 2 on the template provided.
Blue
Turned black
BAM! It Up!
light blue
instantly turned black
Blue color of CuSO4 slowly faded
Reddish-purple “growth” on paper clip
Loosely bound-easily slides off paper clip still
smooth underneath