CHEMISTRY

LAB
MANUAL
 Experiment 01

 Topic
The empirical formula of a compound gives the simplest
ratio of its atoms.

 Research Question
How much amount of water is present in a hydrated salt?

 Background Information
In a chemical reaction we might ask how many atoms of
reactants and products take part in the reaction? In this
experiment a hydrated salt was used. These are compounds that
contain a fixed ratio of water molecules, known as water of
crystallization, within the crystalline structure of the compound.
The water of crystallization can be driven off by heating, and the
change in mass used to calculate the ratio of water molecules to
the anhydrous salt.

 Methodology
The research was a quantitative methodology. This study was
conducted in lab and it investigated the amount of water present
in a hydrated salt (copper sulphate). The salt used was heated to
evaporate the water present in it. Change in the mass of salt was
calculated to find the mass of evaporated water. The data was
used to find the simplest ratio of atoms using the empirical
formula.

 Variables
 Control Variables Table
Variable Significance Methods of control
Duration of the Change in duration of By using a
experiment different steps in the stopwatch. A
experiment may stopwatch helps to
hamper the results. get the precise
results.
Size and Using containers of By using containers
composition of different sizes and of same size and
containers compositions will compositions.
change the quantity of
materials used in the
experiment and this
may lead to wrong
results.
Experimental Different experimental Same technique is
technique techniques may lead to used throughout
different output. the experiment.

Chemical purity or Low-quality and Chemicals used are

manufacturer adulterated chemicals of a reliable
will not give proper company.
results.
Instrument quality Low-quality instruments Instruments used
will make it harder to are of standard
perform the experiment quality.
which may lead to
wrongs results.
Mass of chemicals Precise mass of A weighing scale
chemicals used in the from a reliable
experiment helps to get manufacturer is
proper outcome. used.
 Independent and Dependent Variables Table
Variable Description

Independent Temperature Temperature is

Variable varied in the
experiment using a
burner.
Dependent Variable Mass of CuSO4 Mass of CuSO4 is
affected by the rise
in temperature.

 Materials Required
1. Hydrated copper sulphate
2. Crucible with lid
3. Tripod
4. Triangular clay pipe
5. Tongs
6. Burner
7. Heat proof mat
8. Weighing scale

 Procedure
1. Weigh the mass of empty crucible without the lid. Record it.
2. Weigh the mass of crucible with copper with copper
sulphate (CuSO4(s)) in it without the lid. Record it.
3. Heat the copper sulphate (CuSO4(s)) using a burner for three
minutes.
4. Allow it to cool with lid on
5. Weigh the total mass again. Record it.
6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 until you get a constant mass.
 Data Collection
System Value
Uncertainty
Mass of empty 23.12 + 0.01
crucible (grams)
Mass of crucible 25.17 + 0.01
with CuSO4 (grams)
Mass of crucible 24.46 + 0.01
with CuSO4 after 1st
heating (grams)
Mass of crucible 24.46 + 0.01
with CuSO4 after 2nd
heating (grams)
Molar mass of 159.59 -
CuSO4 (grams per
mole)
Molar mass of H2O 18.02 -
(grams per mole)

 Data Analysis
System Value
Uncertainty
Mass of CuSO4 2.05 + 0.02
before heating
(grams)
Mass of anhydrous 1.31 + 0.02
CuSO4 (grams)
Mass of evaporated 0.74 + 0.04
water (grams)
Number of moles of 8.20 × 10-3 + 1.25× 10-4
CuSO4
Number of moles of 0.041 + 2.22× 10-3
H2O
 Molecule
Copper sulphate, Water, H2O
CuSO4
M (g mol–1) 159.59 18.02
-3
Number of moles 8.20 × 10 0.041
(mol)
divide by smallest 1 5

 Calculation
o Mass of empty crucible = 23.12 + 0.01 g
o Mass of crucible with CuSO4 = 25.17 + 0.01 g
o Mass of CuSO4 before heating
= (Mass of Crucible with CuSO4) – (Mass of empty crucible)
= (25.17 + 0.01 g) – (23.12 + 0.01 g)
= 2.05+ 0.02 g
o Mass of crucible with CuSO4 after 1st heating
= 24.46 + 0.01 g
o Mass of crucible with CuSO4 after 2nd heating
= 24.43 + 0.01 g
o Mass of anhydrous CuSO4
= (24.43 + 0.01 g) – (23.12 + 0.01 g)
= 1.31 + 0.02 g
o Mass of evaporated water
= (2.05+ 0.02 g) – (1.31 + 0.02 g)
= 0.74 + 0.04 g
o Molar mass of CuSO4
= 63.54 + 32.05 + 4(16)
= 159.59 g/mol
o Number of moles of CuSO4
= Mass .

Molar mass
 = 1.31 + 0.02 .

159.59
= 8.21 × 10-3 + 1.25× 10-4
o Molar mass of H2O
= 2(1.01) + 16
= 18.02 g/mol
o Number of moles of H2O
= Mass .

Molar mass
= 0.74 + 0.04
18.02
= 0.041
o CuSO4 H2O
8.20 × 10-3 0.041
1 5 ( dividing by 8.21 × 10-3)

o Ratio moles CuSO4 : moles H2O = 1 : 5

So the ratio atoms CuSO4 : atoms H2O approximates to 1 : 5
So, the formula of magnesium oxide is CuSO4.5H2O

 Observation
o There was colour change in copper sulphate. It changed
from bright blue to white in colour.
o The mass of copper sulphate decreased due to heating.

 Conclusions
The purpose of the experiment was to detect amount of
water is present (simplest ratio) in a hydrated salt by finding
the empirical formula. the ratio atoms CuSO4 : atoms H2O
approximates to 1 : 5.

 Precautions
o Never leave the heating apparatus unattended.
o Turn off a bunsen burner or spirit lamp when you have to
leave your work table for a while or when you have finished
your experiment.
o Handle the laboratory apparatus and other instruments
particularly sharp objects to avoid damage and loss.
o Be aware of where fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and first
aid boxes are located in the laboratory.
o Leave schoolbags outside the laboratory.
o Wear safety goggles.
o Always handle chemicals with a spatula, never your fingers.
o Do not point a test-tube towards another student.