The Halogens Experiment
Purpose: To explore the similarities and differences in the chemical reactivity of the halogens.
Materials:




6 test tubes
3 test tube corks
Test tube rack
Chemicals
Procedure:
Part A. Color and appearance of the halogens
1. Use 3 test tubes.
2. Place a squirt of chlorine (Cl2) water into one tube, bromine (Br2) water into another, and iodine (I2) water
into the last test tube. Carefully note the color and odor of each solution, and record.
3. Place 2 squirts of lighter fluid into each of the test tubes, cork them, and shake for around 10 seconds. The
lighter fluid and the water will not mix and will form two layers in the tube, with the lighter fluid floating on
top because it is less dense.
4. The halogen will either dissolve better in the water phase or the organic (lighter fluid) phase. Record your
observations in the data table.
5. Discard all solutions into the waste container. Clean out the test tubes in a tub of soapy water.
Part B. Reactions of halogens with sodium halides (NaCl, NaBr, and NaI)
1. Use 6 test tubes.
2. To the first two test tubes add a squirt of chlorine (Cl2) water, to the next two add a squirt of bromine (Br2)
water, and to the last two add a squirt of iodine (I2) water.
3. Add 10 drops of 0.1M sodium bromide (NaBr) to one of the chlorine water tubes and 10 drops of 0.1M
sodium iodide (NaI) to the other chlorine water tube. Mix contents. Note observations.
4. To one of the bromine water tubes, add 10 drops of 0.1M sodium chloride (NaCl). Add 10 drops of 0.1M NaI
to the other bromine water tube. Mix contents and note observations.
5. Add 10 drops of 0.1M NaCl to one of the iodine water tubes. Then add 10 drops of 0.1M NaBr to the other
iodine water tube. Mix and record observations.
6. Dump out all test tubes into the sink, and rinse with water.
Part C. Solubility of the metal halides
1. Use 3 test tubes.
2. Put a squirt of 0.1M sodium chloride (NaCl) in one test tube, a squirt of 0.1M sodium bromide (NaBr) in
another, and a squirt of 0.1M sodium iodide (NaI) in the third test tube.
3. Add 10 drops of 0.1M AgNO3 (silver nitrate) to each test tube and mix. Record your observations
4. Now add 1 squirt of 1.0M ammonia (NH3) water to each test tube. Mix the tubes and record observations.
5. Dump out all test tubes into the sink, and rinse with water.
When finished with all parts of the lab:
1. Wash the test tubes in a tub of soapy water, and then rinse them with water. Leave the test tubes upside
down in the test tube rack to dry at your lab station.