Chemistry f1 Notes
Chemistry f1 Notes
Unit Checklist.
Meaning of chemistry
Matter
States of matter
Properties of the different states of matter.
Conductors and non-conductors
Role of chemistry in society.
Laboratory rules.
Necessity for laboratory rules.
The laboratory rules and regulations.
Laboratory safety symbols.
Common apparatus used in a chemistry laboratory.
The Bunsen burner.
Structure
Functions of the various parts.
Types of Bunsen burner flames.
Methods of gas collection.
Upward delivery
Downward delivery
Over water
Using a collecting syringe.
Drying of gases
Using concentrated sulphuric acid.
Using anhydrous calcium chloride
Using calcium oxide.
Drugs and drug abuse.
Meaning of chemistry.
- It is a branch of science which deals with the composition and properties of matter.
Matter
- Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space.
States of matter.
- Matter exists in three different states: solids, liquids and gases.
Safety symbols.
- These are signs found on the labels of bottles or cartons containing dangerous chemicals.
- The common safety symbols are as follows:
Symbols Meaning.
Toxic: are very poisonous and can easily
kill if swallowed, inhaled or on contact
with the skin.
Examples: Chlorine and mercury;
Test tube holder Used for holding test tubes and boiling
tubes during heating experiments.
Watch glass
Condenser
Dropping funnel
Volumetric flask
Disadvantages:
- Have higher chances of breakages in case they fall during experiments.
- They are comparatively expensive to plastics
- Some materials like beakers may however be made of plastics.
Advantages of plastic apparatus.
- Have lower chances of breaking.
- They are relatively cheaper to buy.
Disadvantages:
- Plastics tend to react with some laboratory chemicals
- may not be transparent and hence reactions cannot easily be observed as they progress.
- Glass materials are difficult to wash and rinse after experiments.
- They cannot be used in heating experiments.
The collar:
- Is a metallic ring with an air hole whose diameter is the same size as that of the air hole in the
chimney.
- It fits into the lower part of the chimney; and can rotate around the chimney opening or closing the air
hole.
Function:
- Regulates the amount of air entering the chimney.
The jet:
- It is a very tiny opening just below the air hole, that connects the gas inlet to the chimney.
Function:
- allows the laboratory gas (methane) into the chimney at high pressure.
The base:
- A thick heavy metal, that is usually circular or oval.
Function:
- It supports the Bunsen burner on the bench.
Types of flames.
Luminous flame.
Non-luminous flame.
Disadvantages.
- Produces less heat hence inefficient in heating.
- Due to production of soot it blackens apparatus thus preventing better observations of experiments.
(b). The non-luminous flame.
- It is a small blue flame produced when the air hole is completely open and hence a lot of air enters
the chimney.
Disadvantages:
- It uses a lot of laboratory gas in burning.
- cannot be used for lighting purposes since it produces very little light.
Differences between a luminous and a non-luminous flame.
Procedure
- 100 cm3 of water is put into ach of the two 250 ml beakers.
- One beaker is put over a luminous flame while the other is simultaneously put over a luminous flame
- Time taken for water to boil is noted for each set up.
- The bottom of ach beaker is observed for any changes.
Apparatus
Observations.
- Water heated over the non-luminous flame boiled ion a shorter time than the same amount of water
heated over a non-luminous flame.
- The bottom of the beaker heated over the non-luminous flame remained clear but the one heated over
the luminous flame was covered with black deposits of soot.
Explanations.
- The non-luminous flame is hotter than the luminous flame; hence boils the water faster
- The hottest part of the luminous flam is the outer blue zone.
- Incomplete combustion in the luminous flame leads to production of carbon particles, which when
hot glow yellow and on cooling forms black soot on the beaker;
- Incomplete combustion in a non-luminous flame leads to production of carbon (IV) oxide and steam
only, hence no soot formation.
Conclusions.
- The non-luminous flame is hotter than the luminous flame.
- The non-luminous flame is cleaner than the luminous flame.
2. To investigate the hottest part of a non-luminous flame.
Requirements
- Bunsen burner, stiff white paper (cardboard), wooden splint.
Procedure
- A bunsen burner is ignited with the air hole open to get anon-luminous flame.
- A piece of white paper (cardboard) is slipped into the flame in region marked X as shown below.
- The piece of paper is removed quickly before it catches fire.
- A fresh piece of paper is then slipped into region marked Y as shown below; then again quickly
removed before it catches fire.
- The experiment for each of the regions marked X and Y is then repeated using wooden splints.
- The splints should be held long enough for some of their parts to get charred
Apparatus
Observations.
Using pieces of paper.
- In region X, the part of the paper that was in contact with the flame was charred uniformly as shown
below.
- In region Y, the part of the paper in contact with the flame had a charred ring with an unburnt part in
the middle of the ring as shown below
Diagrams
Diagrams:
Explanations.
- Regions which become charred indicate that they are the hottest part of the flame.
- Region X corresponds to the outermost blue region of a non-luminous flame.
- Region Y is the almost colourless region of the non-luminous flame, which is however surrounded by
the middle greenish blue and the outer pale blue zones.
- Thus in region X, the uniform charring of the paper and splint indicate that the outer pale blue zone
is the hottest pat of the flame.
- Similarly the charred ring for experiment in region Y show that the parts in contact with the outer
pale blue zone gets burnt faster before the parts in contact with the almost colourless or the greenish
blue zones.
Conclusions.
- The hottest part of the non-luminous flame is the outermost pale blue zone.
- During heating the object being heated should not be placed nearer the chimney; these parts are less
hot.
- For efficient heating the object being heated should be placed at the outermost region of the flame.
Procedure
- A bunsen burner is lit and adjusted to get a non-luminous flame.
- A narrow hard glass tubing is held with a pair of tongs and one of its end s is placed in the colourless
zone of the flame.
- A match is lit and placed at the free end of the glass tubing.
Apparatus
Observations.
- A flame is obtained at the free end of the glass tubing.
Explanations.
- The tubing trapped unburnt gases at the almost colourless zone of the flame.
- The trapped gases combined with atmospheric air (oxygen) at the other (free) end of the tubing hence
the flame.
Conclusions.
- The almost colourless region contains unburnt gases.
4. To show the hottest part of the flame.
Apparatus:
- Bunsen burner, match stick
Procedure
- A matchstick is placed at the top of the bunsen burner chimney using a pin.
- A bunsen burner is lit and adjusted to get a non-luminous flame.
- The match stick is observed fro sometime for any changes.
- If no observable changes are made, the matchstick is then slowly raised towards the blue zone and
observed keenly.
Apparatus
Observations.
- The matchstick did not ignite while it was at the bottom of the flame (resting on top of the chimney).
- It ignited as it was being raised towards the outer pale blue zone.
Explanations.
- The bottom of the flame (just on top of chimney) corresponds to the almost colourless zone.
- This zone contains unburnt gases, hence no burning occurs and is thus least hot to cause ignition of
the matchstick.
- As the matchstick is raised upwards it moves past the greenish blue zone (where there is partial
combustion) then to the outer pale blue zone where there is complete combustion and hence most heat.
- The heat in this region is adequate to cause ignition of the matchstick.
Conclusions.
- The outer pale blue zone is the hottest part of the non-luminous flame, and is thus the correct position
to place an object during heating.
Methods of gas collection.
- Various chemical reactions produce gases; some of which are colourless while others are coloured.
- Additionally some gases are poisonous to the human body, while others are major causes of
environmental pollution.
Examples:
Coloured gases:
Chlorine (green-yellow); nitrogen (IV) oxide (brown); bromine (red-brown)
Colourless gases:
Oxygen; carbon (II) oxide; carbon (IV) oxide; sulphur (IV) oxide; hydrogen; ammonia etc.
Types of drugs
(i). Medicinal drugs (medicines):
- Are drugs mainly used for treatment and prevention of diseases.
- Are also classified into two: over the counter drugs and prescription drugs.
Over-the-counter drugs.
- Are medicinal drugs that can be bought at a pharmacy or retail shop without written instructions from
a doctor.
Examples: Mild painkillers like aspirin, panadol, paracetamol, drugs for flu etc.
Prescription drugs:
- Are strong medicines which should only be taken upon a doctors instruction (prescription).
- In this prescription, the doctors give a dosage, which indicates the amount and the rate at which it
should be taken.
(ii). Leisure drugs.
- Are drugs that are usually taken for pleasure.
- Are classified into two:
Mild drugs: alcohol, tobacco;
Narcotic drugs: marijuana, cocaine, heroin, mandrax etc.
Drug abuse:
- Is the indiscriminate use of a drug for purposes which it is meant for; or administration of an
overdose or underdose of a drug; as well as use of drugs for leisure purposes.
Note:
- The worst form of drug abuse is the taking of drugs for leisure purposes; and the most commonly
abused drugs are the leisure drugs.
Tobacco.
- Bad breath, discoloured fingers and teeth
- Cause diseases such as bronchitis and tuberculosis.
- damages the lungs and is a common cause of lung cancer due to chemicals found in the cigarettes.
- Smoking during pregnancy is a common cause of miscarriages or still births.
- It is expensive: money used for other better uses is wasted in cigarette smoking.
Narcotic drugs:
- Interferes with the functioning of the brain.
- Results to addiction and drug dependency.
- Some are administered directly into the blood through syringes and hence common routes of
transmission of HIV/AIDS.
Note:
Drug addiction:
- Is a situation in which an individual becomes dependent on a particular drug such that he cannot
function normally without it; and lack of it result to some discomfort.
UNIT 2: SIMPLE CLASSIFICATION OF SUBSTANCES
Unit Checklist:
1. Elements compounds and mixtures.
2. Mixtures
Types of mixtures
Separation of mixtures
Basic concepts
Method of separation of mixtures.
Decantation
Evaporation
Condensation
Filtration
Crystallization
Separating funnel separation
Distillation
Sublimation
Chromatography
Solvent extraction
3. Criteria for purity
Effects of impurity on melting point
Effects of impurity on melting point
4. Nature of matter and kinetic theory of matter.
Effects of heat on matter
Melting
Evaporation
Condensation
Freezing
Freezing
Sublimation
5. Permanent and non-permanent changes
6. Constituents of matter
Atoms
Elements
Molecules
Compounds
Mixtures.
7. Names and symbols of common elements
8. Simple word equations.
Elements compound and mixtures.
(a). Element:
- Is a pure substance that cannot be split up into simpler substances by chemical means.
Examples: copper, hydrogen, carbon.
(b). Compound:
- A pure substance that consists of two or more elements that are chemically combined.
Examples:
Compound Elements in the compound
Calcium carbonate Calcium, carbon and oxygen
Sodium chloride Sodium and chlorine
Ammonium nitrate Nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen
Iron (II) sulphate Iron, sulphur, oxygen
(c). Mixture:
- A substance that consists of two or more elements or compounds that are not chemically combined
- Some mixtures can be naturally occurring while some are artificial.
Examples
Naturally occurring mixtures.
Mixture Components
Air Nitrogen, oxygen, carbon (IV) oxide, water vapour, noble gases etc
Sea water Water and various salts like chlorides of sodium, potassium and magnesium
Crude oil A mixture of hydrocarbons like methane, petrol, bitumen, etc
Magadi soda Sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium chloride
Artificial mixtures.
Mixture Components
Soft drinks Water, citric acid, sugar, carbon (IV) oxide, stabilizers, sodium benzoate
Black ink Blue, black, yellow dyes and solvent
Cement Oxides of aluminium, iron, silicon, calcium and calcium carbonate.
Types of mixtures:
- There are two types of mixtures;
Homogenous mixtures
Heterogenous mixtures
Basic concepts:
Residue: solid that remains on the filter paper during filtration
Filtrate: liquid that passes past the filter paper during filtration
Saturated solution: a solution in which no more solute can dissolve at a particular temperature
Unsaturated solution: a solution that can take more of the solute (solute) at a particular temperature.
Procedure:
- The solid-liquid mixture is allowed to stand in a container.
- The insoluble solid settles at the bottom and the upper liquid portion poured out with care.
Apparatus.
Examples:
- Separation of sand-water mixture
- Separation of maize flour-water mixture.
2. Filtration.
- Is the separation of an insoluble solid from a heterogenous mixture (liquid) using a porous filter that
does not allow the solids to pass through.
- Upon filtration the undissolved solid is left on the filter paper and is called the residue.
- The liquid that passes the filter paper is called filtrate.
(ii). Apparatus.
Applications of filtration.
- Filtration of domestic water.
- Extraction of medicinal substances from plants.
- Extraction of sugar from sugarcane.
- Operation of a vacuum cleaner.
- Fuel filters in automobile engines.
3. Evaporation.
- Is used to separate a soluble solid from its solution.
- Such solutions are usually homogenous mixtures.
- The solid is called a solute while the liquid is called a solvent.
(ii). Apparatus.
Note:
A crystal: is a solid that consists of particles arranged in an orderly repetitive manner.
- It is advantageous to boil the solution under a steam or sand bath rather than directly.
Reason:
- The steam or sand bath prevents the mixture from splashing out (spitting) of the evaporating dish.
- It also reduces chances of the evaporating dish cracking.
Applications of evaporation:
- Extraction of soda ash from Lake Magadi.
4. Crystallization and recrystallization.
(a). Crystallization:
- is the process of formation of crystals from a solution.
- It involves evaporation of the solution to form a concentrated solution.
(ii). Observations:
- The resultant solid particles have definite shapes.
- Some are needle-like while others are flat and sharp-edged.
- These are the potassium nitrate crystals.
(b). Recrystallization:
- Is used in obtaining pure crystals from a soluble solid containing impurities.
- Involves filtration and evaporation.
Examples:
Obtaining pure copper (II) sulphate crystals from impure copper (II) sulphate.
Purification of rock salt.
Note: The process can be enhanced by suspending a small piece of pure crystal into the saturated
solution.
Applications of crystallization.
- Separation of Trona from sodium chloride in Lake Magadi.
5. Distillation.
- Is the vapourisation of a liquid from a mixture and then condensing the vapour.
- Is used in the purification of liquids and separation of liquids from a mixture.
- It utilizes the differences in boiling points of the components of the mixture.
- Are of two types:
Simple distillation
Fractional distillation.
(i). Simple distillation.
- Is mainly used for purification of liquids containing dissolved substances.
- It is also useful in separating two miscible liquids with widely differing boiling points
Note:
Miscible liquids: Liquids that mix to from a uniform a uniform homogenous solution
- The liquid with the lower boiling point usually distills over first, and is collected.
- The solution is heated until it starts boiling, then the burner removed so that the liquid boils gently.
- The boiling goes on until the liquid (distillate) starts collecting in the beaker.
(ii). Apparatus.
- The distillate is collected in the beaker while the residue remains in the distillation flask.
- It is a modification of simple distillation in which the fractionating column is inserted on top of the
distillation flask.
- All the components must be volatile at different extents in order for separation to be possible.
Volatile liquids:
- Are liquids with the ability to change into vapour.
- More volatile liquids vapourize and condense faster than the less volatile liquids.
Note:
- During fractional distillation, the components of a mixture are collected at intervals, one at a time
with the most volatile (lowest boiling point) coming out first.
- Each component collected in the receiver is called a fraction.
Note:
- The thermometer bulb must be at the vapour outlet to the condenser.
Reason:
- For accurate determination of the vapourisation temperature for each fraction.
- The mixture is then strongly heated until the first fraction comes out of the distillation flask into the
conical flask.
- Collection of the fractions should be done in a conical flask other than in a beaker.
Reason:
- To reduce the rates of evaporation of the fractions, especially the highly volatile ones (in this case
ethanol)
- For this particular separation the first temperatures recorded by the thermometer should not exceed
80oC; to ensure that the first fraction is only ethanol.
(iii). Discussion.
- Ethanol boils at 78oC and water boils at 100oC.
- When the mixture is heated, ethanol and water evaporate and pass through the fractionating column
which is filled with glass beads to offer a large surface area
- The large surface area encourages evaporation of ethanol and condensation of water vapour.
- Water can be seen dropping back into the distillation flask.
-Ethanol vapour passes through the condenser and warm liquid ethanol is collected in the conical flask.
Note:
- The first portion is almost pure ethanol (about 97%) and burns quietly with a blue flame.
- It also has the characteristic smell of alcohols.
6. Sublimation.
- Is the process by which a solid changes directly to gaseous state upon heating.
- It is used to separate a mixture in which one of the components sublimes on heating.
Note:
Solid Gas
Solids that sublime have very weak forces of attraction between the atoms and hence are easily broken
on slight heating.
Examples of solids that sublime on heating.
- Iodine; sublimes to from a purple vapour.
- Ammonium chloride; sublimes to from dense white fumes;
- Solid carbon (IV) oxide (dry ice);
- Anhydrous iron (III) chloride; sublimes to give red brown fumes.
(ii). Procedure:
- The iodine-common salt mixture is poured into a beaker and placed in a tripod stand.
- A watch glass full of cold water is placed on the beaker.
- The beaker is heated gently until some dense purple fumes are observed.
(iii). Observations:
- A purple vapour appears in the beaker.
- A dark-grey shiny solid collects on the bottom of the watch-glass.
- White solid remains in the beaker.
(iv). Explanations:
- Upon heating the mixture iodine sublimes and condenses on the cold watch glass to form a sublimate
of pure iodine.
Note:
- Solid carbon (IV) oxide (dry ice) is used a s refrigerant by ice cream and soft drink vendors.
Reason:
- It sublimes on heating; as it sublimes it takes latent heat from ice cream (soft drinks) thus leaving it
cold.
- It is also advantageous as it does not turn into liquid, which could be cumbersome to carry and would
mess up the ice cream.
7. Chromatography.
- Is the separation of coloured substances using an eluting solvent.
- It is also used to identify the components of a coloured substance.
- It involves the use of a moving liquid (eluting solvent) on a material that absorbs the solvent.
- It involves two major processes:
Solubility:
The tendency of a substance to dissolve in a solvent.
Adsorption:
The tendency of a substance to stick on an adsorbent material.
Examples:
1. Separation of components of black ink.
(i). Procedure:
- A filter paper is placed on the rim of an evaporating dish or a small beaker.
- A drop of the black ink is placed at the centre of the filter paper; allowed to spread out and dry.
- A drop of water (ethanol) is then added to the ink and allowed to spread.
- After complete spread of the drop, a second drop is added.
- Water drops are added continuously until the disc of coloured substances almost reaches the edge.
(ii). Observations:
Note: The dry filter paper showing the separated components of a mixture is called a chromatogram.
(iii). Explanations:
- Water is the eluting solvent since ink is soluble in it.
- The various dyes in the black ink move at different distances from the black spot hence the bands.
Reasons:
- The dyes have different solubilities in the solvent; the more soluble the dye, the further the distance it
travels on the absorbent paper
- They have different rates of adsorption i.e. the tendency of the dyes to stick on the absorbent
material; dyes with low rates of absorption travel far from the original spot.
Note:
Solvent front.
- Is the furthest distance reached by the eluting solvent on the filter paper.
Baseline:
- The point at which the dye to be separated is placed; i.e. it is the starting point of separation.
(iii). Explanations:
- The mixtures A to D have various components with varying solubilities in the solvent (ethanol)
- Mixture D is the most pure because it has only one spot.
- Mixture C is the least pure (most impure), as it has the highest number of spots indicating it is
composed of so many dyes (four)
- Mixture C has the most soluble dye; its last component is the one nearest to the solvent front.
- Mixtures with similar dyes in their composition have spots at same levels; in this case A, B and D.
Applications of chromatography.
- Purification of natural products such as hormones, vitamins and natural pigments.
- Detection of food poisons e.g. in canned foods and soft drinks.
8. Solvent extraction.
- Is the extraction of a solute from its original solvent by using a second solvent in which it has a
higher solubility
(ii). Procedure:
- Some nuts are crushed in a mortar using a pestle; to increase the surface area for solubility.
- A suitable solvent such as hexane or propanone (acetone) is added.
- The nuts are further crushed in the solvent.
- The resultant solution is decanted in an evaporating dish, and left in the sun to evaporate.
- The liquid remaining in the evaporating dish is smeared onto a clean filter paper.
(iv). Observations;
- A permanent translucent mark appears on the filter paper.
(v). Explanations:
- The nuts are crushed when in contact with the solvent to bring more of the oil in the nuts closer to the
solvent.
- Upon evaporation oil is left behind because it has a higher boiling point than the solvent.
- A permanent translucent mark verifies the presence of oils.
Apparatus.
Procedure.
- The tap of the separating funnel is closed.
- Equal volumes of water and paraffin are put in a separating funnel until it is half full.
- The mouth of the funnel is closed with a stopper and the mixture shaken.
- The mixture is allowed to stand until two distinct layers are formed.
- The stopper is removed and the tap opened to allow the bottom layer to drain into the beaker.
- The tap is closed after most of the bottom layer has drained off.
- The beaker is removed and the rest of the bottom layer is drained into a separate container and
discarded; to ensure that no part of the top layer (paraffin) gets into the beaker containing the bottom
(water) layer.
- The other (top) layer is then drained into another beaker.
Observations:
- After the mixture has settled oil and paraffin separate into two layers.
- The first beaker contains only water; while the second beaker contains only paraffin.
Conclusion.
- Paraffin and water are immiscible.
- The top layer contains water which is denser while the top layer contains oil (paraffin) which is
lighter.
Practical application:
- Extraction of useful substances from complex mixtures.
Examples:
- Separation of powdered iron from iron powder-sulphur mixture.
Practical applications:
-In the extraction (mining of iron); where magnetic iron ore is separated from other materials in the
crushed ore.
- Separation of scrap iron from non-magnetic materials like glass and plastics in recycling plants.
Determination of purity
(a). Solids:
- Purity of solids is determined by measuring the melting point.
- Pure solids melt sharply over a narrow temperature range.
Examples:
- Naphthalene melts at 80oC – 81oC.
- Water melts at 0oC.
Applications:
1. Extraction of metals.
- Impurities are added to purified metal ores to lower their melting points, hence save energy and
extraction costs.
2. To prevent knocking of engines due to freezing of water in car radiators during cold seasons,
impurities like ethylene glycol or salt (NaCl) is added.
3. Defrosting of frozen roads and sidewalks in temperate countries, by sprinkling a salt such as sodium
chloride.
(b). Liquids:
- Purity of a liquid is determined by measuring its boiling point.
- A pure liquid has a sharp boiling point.
Examples:
Pure water boils at 100oC at 1 atmospheric pressure.
Pure ethanol boils at 78oC.
Effect of impurity on boiling point.
- Impurities raise the boiling point of a liquid.
Example:
- Sea water boils at a higher temperature than pure water due to the presence of dissolved salts.
States of matter.
Matter:
- Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass.
- It is composed of either pure substances or a mixture of substances.
States of matter:
Matter exists in three states:
Solid
Liquid
Gas.
- During melting the energy supplied to the particles is used to weaken the forces of attraction so that
particles can move about.
- During boiling, the energy supplied is used to break the forces of attraction in the liquid thus moving
the particles far away from each other.
Examples:
Water boils at 100oC, while ethanol boils at 78oC at one atmospheric pressure.
Reason:
The forces of attraction between the water particles are stronger than those of ethanol.
(c). Condensation:
- Is the change of state from a gas to a liquid.
- Is a change due to decrease in temperature.
- When the temperature of gas is decreased, the particles lose kinetic energy to the surroundings to
move slowly.
- The attractive forces become stronger, and the sample changes to a liquid.
Note:
- The temperature at which condensation occurs is the same as the boiling point.
(d). Freezing:
- Is the change from a liquid to a solid.
- It is also due to decrease in temperature.
- When a liquid is cooled, the particles lose energy and move very slowly.
- They attract one another strongly, and ultimately remain in fixed positions.
Note:
- The freezing point is the same as the melting point.
(e). Sublimation.
- Is the process whereby a solid does not melt when heated, but changes directly to the gaseous state.
Example:
- Iodine solid changes to purple vapour when heated to 70oC.
- Dry ice (solid CO2), used to cool ice cream, evaporates without leaving a liquid.
Note:
- The reverse of sublimation, whereby a gas changes directly to solid is called deposition.
(iii). Graph:
Effect of heat on pure ice
Temp (oC)
Time (seconds)
(iv). Explanations:
Point A-B:
- As the ice is heated the temperature rises steadily from -10oC to 0oC.
Reason:
- The heat supplied increases the kinetic energy of the ice (solid water) molecules; collisions between
them hence increased temperature.
Point B-C:
-The temperature of the ice remains constant even as heat is applied.
Reason:
- Heat supplied is used to break the forces of attraction between the water molecules in ice.
- This is the melting point hence at B-C the ice melts.
Points C-D:
- At C, all the ice has already melted (turned to water).
- Between C and D, the temperature of the water increases as heating continues.
Reason:
- The heat supplied increases the kinetic energy of the water molecules; their rate of collision increases
hence increased temperatures.
Points D-E:
- Temperature of the water remains constant even as heat is being supplied.
- Point D-E is the boiling point i.e. 100oC.
Reason:
- The heat supplied is used to break the forces of attraction between water molecules in the liquid.
Points E-F:
- At point E, all the liquid water has turned into vapour.
- Thus between E and F, the temperature of the vapour rises as heat is applied.
Time (seconds)
Time (seconds)
Explanations:
Points A-B:
- Gaseous state; temperature is declining.
- Heat loss results into decrease in kinetic energy of the gaseous molecules.
Points B-C:
- This is the condensation point;
- The water vapour condenses to the liquid state; bonds are formed as the hest is lost.
Points C-D;
- Temperature of the liquid water is declining;
- Heat loss results into decrease in kinetic energy of the liquid molecules.
Points D-E;
- This is the freezing point;
- The temperature remains constant as the heat is being lost;
- The heat being lost results into bond formation; as the liquid forms a solid.
Points E-F;
- The water is now in solid state.
- The temperature of the solid declines as heat is being lost.
Generally:
A+B C+D
Reactants Products
Examples:
1. Effect of heat on hydrated blue copper (II) sulphate.
(i). Apparatus:
- Test tubes, Bunsen burner, test tube holder
- Hydrated copper (II) sulphate
(ii). Apparatus:
(ii). Procedure:
– Dry crystals of hydrated blue copper (II) sulphate are put in a clean dry test tube.
- The apparatus are arranged as above.
- The copper (II) sulphate is heated until no further change.
- The delivery tube is removed from the collected liquid while heating continues.
Reason:
- To avoid sucking back of the condensing liquid which would otherwise rehydrate the anhydrous
copper (II) sulphate
- The test tube is allowed to cool and the remaining solid is divided into two portions.
- To one portion of the powder, add distilled water, while to the other potion add the condensed liquid.
(iii). Observations:
- A white solid/ powder remains in the test tube after heating.
- A colourless liquid condenses in the test tube dipped into the ice cold water.
- The colourless liquid turns the white solid into blue.
(iv). Explanations:
- Hydrated blue copper (II) sulphate have water of crystallization, giving it the characteristic blue
colour.
- During heating, the heat energy supplied is used to drive out the water molecules (particles) out of the
crystals;
- Without water, the copper (II) sulphate turns white and thus called anhydrous copper (II) sulphate;
- The water driven out of the crystals condenses in the test tube immersed in the ice cold water.
Equation Heat
Hydrated copper (II) sulphate anhydrous copper (II) sulphate + Water
Blue Cool White
Chemically: Heat
CuSO4.5H2O(s) Cool
CuSO4(s) + 5H2O(g);
Note:
- The delivery tube is removed from the collecting liquid while heating is continued; to ensure that no
water condenses back into the copper (II) sulphate as this would cause rehydration;
- Addition of water to the anhydrous copper (III) sulphate changes its colour from white to blue;
Conclusion:
The effect of heat on copper (II) sulphate is a reversible chemical change;
In summary: Heat
Ammonium chloride solid ammonium chloride + hydrogen chloride;
White Cool Dense white fumes
Chemically: Heat
NH4Cl(s) Cool
NH3(g) + HCl(g);
Ammonium chloride Ammonia gas hydrogen chloride gas
Generally:
A+B C+D
Reactants Products
Examples:
1. Action of heat on potassium manganate (VII)
(i). Apparatus and chemicals.
- Bunsen burner, test tube, trough, wooden splint;
- Potassium managnate (VII);
Heat
(iii). Procedure:
- 2 end-fulls of a spatula of potassium manganate (VII) are put in a hard glass test tube;
- The set up is assembled as shown above;
- The solid potassium manganate (VII) is heated, and the resultant gas collected over water;
- The resultant gas(es) is tested with a glowing splint;
(iv). Observations:
- The purple solid turns black;
- A colourless gas collects over water;
- The colourless relights a glowing splint;
(v). Explanations:
- Potassium manganate (VII), a purple solid was decomposed (splint up) on heating to yield (give
potassium manganate (III) and oxygen.
- The potassium manganate (III) is the black residue;
- The colourless gas is oxygen; and relighting a glowing splint is the confirmatory test;
In summary:
Potassium manganate (VII) → Potassium manganate (III) + oxygen
Purple solid Black solid Colourless gas
Note: It is not possible for oxygen and potassium manganate (III) to recombine back to potassium
manganate (VII); hence the change is irreversible;
In summary:
Copper (II) nitrate → Copper (II) oxide + Nitrogen (IV) oxide + oxygen
Blue solid Black solid Brown (red-brown) fumes Colourless gas
Note: Further examples of chemical changes
- The burning of any substance (except platinum);
- The rusting of iron;
- Addition of water to calcium oxide;
- Explosion of natural gas or hydrogen with air;
- Reacting of sodium in water;
Examples:
- Freezing;
- Condensation;
- Deposition // sublimation of fumes to solid;
Examples.
- Melting;
- Vapourization;
- Sublimation (of solid to gas)
Heating potassium Shiny purple The purple solid turns black; Potassium manganate Chemical;
manganate (VII) crystals evolution of a colourless gas; (III) and oxygen;
Heating ammonium White solid // Dense white fumed that cools to a Ammonia gas and Chemical;
chloride powder; white solid; hydrogen chloride gas;
Heating lead (II) White solid The white solid turns into a red solid - Lead (II) oxide; Chemical;
nitrate; during heating which on cooling nitrogen (IV) oxide and
turns yellow; oxygen gas;
- Decrepitating sound;
- Brown fumes;
- colourless gas;
Heating lead (II) White solid The white solid turns into a yellow - Zinc (II) oxide; Chemical;
nitrate; solid during heating which on nitrogen (IV) oxide and
cooling turns white; oxygen gas;
- Decrepitating sound;
- Brown fumes; colourless gas;
Heating copper Brown - Brown turnings // solid turn black; - Copper (II) oxide; Chemical;
turnings turnings;
Rusting of iron; Grey solid - Grey solid turns into a red brown - Hydrated iron (III) Chemical;
solid; oxide;
Heating Copper (II) Blue solid The blue solid turns into a black - Copper (II) oxide; Chemical;
nitrate; solid; nitrogen (IV) oxide and
- Brown fumes; oxygen gas;
- colourless gas;
Heating copper (II) Green solid The green solid turns into a black - copper (II) oxide and Chemical;
carbonate solid; carbon (IV) oxide;
- colourless gas;
3. Zinc oxide White solid; - The white solid turns yellow on heating and upon cooling changes back to
the original white colour;
4. Ice White - The solid water melts into liquid and on further heating the liquid
vapourizes and turns into gas;
- On cooling the gas condenses to liquid which then freezes back into solid;
5. Platinum wire; - A white glow of the metal is seen on heating, but on cooling the metal
changes back to its original grey colour;
6. Lead (II) oxide; Yellow - The yellow solid turns red on heating and upon cooling changes back to
the original yellow colour;
Constituents of matter
- A detailed examination of matter reveals that it is built of very tiny units called toms;
- Presently about 115 atoms have been identified;
- The arrangement and number of atoms in a substance will result into other much larger constituents
of matter;
- These are:
Elements;
Molecules;
Compounds;
Mixtures;
1. The atom;
- Is the smallest particle of matter that can take part in a chemical reaction;
- It is the smallest particle into which an element can be divided without losing the properties of the
element;
- Atoms of various elements all differ from one another;
Examples:
- Copper is made up of many copper atoms;
- Sodium element is made up of many sodium atoms;
2. Elements.
- An element is a substance that cannot be split into anything simple by any known chemical means;
- An element consists of a single type of atom;
- There are about 155 known elements, 90 of which occur naturally.
- Elements are classified into two main groups;
Metals:
- All are solids at room temperature (except mercury); and are good conductors of electricity;
Non-metals;
- Exists as solids and gases;
- All are poor electric conductors except graphite;
Examples of elements.
(i). Metals:
- Sodium, magnesium, potassium, aluminium, lead, iron, zinc, silver, gold, tin, platinum, uranium,
calcium, manganese etc.
(ii). Non-elements.
- Carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, oxygen, chlorine, fluorine, argon, neon, bromine, iodine, silicon, boron,
xenon, krypton.
3. Molecule.
- Is the smallest particle of a substance that can exist independently;
- It is made when 2 or more atoms (similar or dissimilar) are chemically combined together;
- However atoms of noble/ inert gases exist as single atoms;
Note:
- Depending on number of atoms molecules can be categorized into:
(i). Monoatomic molecule;
- made up of only one atom;
Examples:
- Argon;
→
Argon atom Argon molecule;
- Neon;
- Helium;
Note:
- Other molecules are also made from atoms of different elements chemically combined together;
Examples:
(i). Hydrogen chloride;
+ →
Hydrogen Chlorine Hydrogen chloride molecule;
Atom. Atom;
Note:
- Carbonates are derivatives of (derived from or made of) carbon and oxygen;
- Nitrates are derivatives of nitrogen and oxygen;
- Sulphates are derivatives of sulphur and oxygen;
- Hydrogen carbonates are derivatives of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen;
5. Mixtures
- A substance that consists of two or more elements or compounds that are not chemically combined.
Characteristics of mixtures.
- It properties are the average of the properties of its elements;
- Its components can be separated by physical means e.g. filtration, magnetism, distillation etc.
- Its components are not necessarily if fixed positions;
- Are formed by physical means; i.e. there is usually no heat change during its formation.
Examples of mixtures:
1. Air:
- A mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon (IV) oxide, water vapour, and noble gases.
2. Sugar solution.
- A mixture of sugar and water.
3. Sea water.
- Water, dissolved salts;
(ii). Procedure.
- Approximately 7g of iron fillings and 4g of sulphur are mixed in a test tube and the mixture strongly
heated;
Observations:
- A red glow starts and spreads throughout the mixture forming a black solid.
- The black solid is iron (II) sulphide.
- The two products // substances in steps 1 and 2 are subjected to the following tests;
Observations
Test // Analysis
Iron-sulphur mixture. Iron (II) sulphide
1. Colour: The colour of the - The resultant substance is yellow- - The yellow-grey mixture changes to a
substance is noted; grey due to the yellow sulphur and the black solid; iron (II) sulphide on
grey iron powder; heating;
2. Separation: A magnet is passed - Before heating the iron could be - Magnetism and sedimentation have
over the substances separately; separated from sulphur by use of a no effect on iron (II) sulphide;
- Alternatively, water was added to magnet or sedimentation;
each substance; Note: These are physical methods;
3. Reaction with dilute - Iron reacted with dilute hydrochloric - Iron (II) sulphide reacted with
hydrochloric acid: To each of the acid to form a colourless gas that burns hydrochloric acid to produce a
substances, a few drops of with a pop sound. colourless gas with a characteristic
hydrochloric acid is added; - This is hydrogen gas; pungent (rotten egg) smell;
- Sulphur is not affected; - The gas is hydrogen sulphide;
4. Heat change. No heat was produced or applied in - After heating the mixture, the
mixing iron and sulphur; formation of the new substance, iron
(II) sulphide produced enough heat
hence the bright red glow;
Explanations:
- These four experiments summarize the four main differences between compounds and mixtures.
- From the results, iron and sulphur powder is a mixture; while iron (II) sulphide is a compound.
Explanations:
- Substances on the left hand side are called reactants;
- Substances on the right hand side are called products;
- The addition sign (+) on the left hand side means “reacts with”;
- The arrow (→) means to form;
- The addition sign (+) on the right hand side (products side) means “and”.
Conclusion:
Copper (II) oxide reacts with hydrogen to form copper and water;
Note:
- Some chemical reactions are reversible and hence have two opposite arrows ( ) between
reactants and products
- The arrows ( ) in chemistry means a reversible chemical reaction;
Further examples:
1. Copper (II) carbonate → Copper (II) oxide + carbon (IV) oxide;
2. Magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide;
UNIT 3: ACIDS BASES AND INDICATORS.
Unit checklist
1. Acids:
Meaning of acids;
Organic acids
Mineral acids;
2. Bases.
Meaning;
3. Indicators.
Meaning;
Preparation of acid-base indicators;
Commercial acid-base indicators;
Colour of indicators in acids and bases;
Classifications of substances as acids or bases using acid base indicators;
The universal indicator;
The pH scale;
pH values of various solutions in universal indiactor;
4. Properties of acids.
Physical properties;
Taste;
Effect on litmus papers;
Electrical conductivity;
Chemical properties.
Reaction with alkalis and bases;
Reaction with metals;
Reaction with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates;
5. Properties of bases
Physical properties;
Taste;
Texture;
Effect on litmus papers;
Electrical conductivity;
Chemical properties.
Reaction with acids;
Precipitation of some hydroxides;
Effect of heat
6. Uses of some acids and bases.
1. Acids:
- Are substances that dissolve in water to release hydrogen ions.
- Acids can either be organic acids or mineral acids;
2. Bases.
- Are substances that dissolve in water to yield // release hydroxyl ions;
- Just like acids they are bitter to taste;
Examples:
- Sodium hydroxide;
- Ammonium hydroxide;
- Calcium hydroxide;
Note:
- Some bases insoluble in water while some are soluble in water;
- Soluble bases are called alkalis;
3. Indicators.
- Are substances which give definite colours in acidic or basic solutions;
- Are substances which can be used to determine whether a substance is an acid or a base;
- Consequently they are called acid-base indicators;
- The determination is based on colour changes, where each indicator have particular colourations in
acids and bases.
- Indicators can be commercially or locally prepared in the laboratory;
Indicators:
Experiment: preparation of simple acid-base indicators from flower extracts.
(i). Apparatus and chemicals.
- Test tubes;
- Pestle and mortar;
- Flower petals;
- Ethanol // propanone;
- Water;
- Various test solutions: sulphuric (VI) acid, hydrochloric acid, Ethanoic acid, sodium hydroxide,
magadi soda, ammonia solution.
(ii). Procedure:
- Flowers from selected plants are collected and assembled e.g. bougainvillea, hibiscus etc;
- They are crushed in a mortar using a pestle and some ethanol added with continued crushing;
- The resultant liquid is decanted into a small beaker; and its colour recorded.
- Using a dropper, two to three drops of the resultant indicator are added to the test solutions.
(iii). Observations:
(a). Colour of extract in acids and bases
Note:
- Plant extracts acid-base indicators are not normally preferred in Chemistry experiments.
Reason:
- They don’t give consistent (reproducible results because they are impure.
- Commercial indicators give more distinctive and reproducible results.
Commercial indicators.
- Are commercially prepared indicators which are sold in already purified forms.
Main examples:
- Phenolpthalein;
- Methyl orange;
- Bromothymol blue;
- Litmus paper;
Note:
- Litmus is a blue vegetable compound which is extracted from “plants” called lichens;
- Litmus paper is an adsorbent paper which has been dipped in litmus indicator solution then dried;
Note:
- The strongest acid has a pH of 1;
- The strongest alkali has a pH of 14;
- Neutral substances have a pH of 7;
- Any pH less than 7 is acidic solution; while any pH above 7 is for a alkaline / basic solution;
Properties of acids.
(a). Physical properties.
1. They have a sour taste.
Examples:
- The sour taste of citric fruits is due to the citric acid in them.
- The sour taste in sour milk is due to lactic acid;
3. Electrical conductivity;
- Acids conduct electric current when dissolved in water;
- This is because they dissolve in water to release hydrogen ions; which are the ones that conduct
electric current;
4. Thy destroy clothing when strong; i.e. they at away clothing material leaving holes in it;
5. Strong acids are corrosive; hence able to burn plant and animal tissues;
Chemical properties.
1. Reaction with alkalis ad bases.
- Acids react with alkalis to form salt and water only;
- These types of reactions are called neutralization reactions;
- The hydrogen ions of the acid react with the hydroxyl ion of the alkali to form water;
- The name of the salt is usually derived from the acid;
Examples:
Acid Derivative salt
Sulphuric (VI) acid Sulphates;
Hydrochloric acid Chlorides
Nitric (V) acid Nitrates;
Phosphoric acid Phosphates;
Summary:
Acid + base (alkali) → salt + water; (a neutralization reaction);
Examples:
1. Sodium hydroxide + Hydrochloric acid → Sodium chloride + water;
2. Calcium oxide + Sulphuric (VI) acid → calcium sulphate + water;
Observations.
- Effervescence of a colourless gas;
- The colourless gas burns with a pop sound;
Explanations.
- Zinc metal displaces the hydrogen ions in the acid which form the hydrogen gas;
- When a glowing splint is introduced into the hydrogen gas; it burns with a pop sound;
- This is the chemical test to confirm that a gas is hydrogen;
Conclusion;
- The gas produced is hydrogen gas;
- Thus, acids react with some metals to produce hydrogen gas, and a salt;
General equation:
Metal + Dilute acid → salt + Hydrogen gas;
Reaction equation:
Zinc + Hydrochloric acid → Zinc chloride + Hydrogen chloride;
Further examples:
i. Magnesium + Dilute sulphuric (VI) acid → magnesium sulphate + hydrogen gas;
ii. Magnesium + Dilute Hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + Hydrogen gas;
General equation:
Metal carbonate + Dilute acid → A salt + water + carbon (IV) oxide;
Metal hydrogen carbonate + Dilute acid → A salt + water + carbon (IV) oxide;
Apparatus.
Observations.
- An effervescence occurs (bubbles); and a colourless gas is produced;
- The colourless gas does not relight a glowing splint; showing that it is carbon (IV) oxide;
Properties of bases.
Note:
- Bases are substances that release hydroxyl ions when added to water;
- Soluble bases are called alkalis;
Examples:
Sodium hydroxide + Water → Sodium ions + hydroxyl ions;
Example:
- Actal tablets contain a base that neutralizes the stomach acid.
Example:
- Copper (II) sulphate + Sodium hydroxide → Copper (II) hydroxide + Sodium sulphate solution;
Blue solid;
3. Effects of heat.
- Most metal hydroxides are decomposed by heat to form their oxides and water;
General equation:
Metal hydroxide Heat Metal oxide + Water;
Example:
Zinc hydroxide → Zinc oxide + water;
Uses of bases.
1. Manufacture of anti-acid tablets to neutralize acid indigestions e.g. actal;
2. Calcium oxide ad calcium chloride are used to dry gases in the laboratory;
UNIT 4: AIR AND COMBUSTION.
Checklist.
1. Components
2. Determination of percentage of the active part of air.
Burning candle.
Heating copper turnings;
Heating magnesium turnings.
Smouldering of white phosphorus.
Rusting of iron;
3. Determination of presence of water and carbon (IV) oxide in water.
4. Fractional distillation of liquid air.
5. Rusting
Meaning and formula;
Conditions necessary for rusting;
Prevention of rusting;
6. Oxygen
Laboratory preparation of oxygen gas;
Chemical test for oxygen gas;
Alternative methods of oxygen preparation;
Addition of water to solid sodium peroxide;
Heating potassium manganate (VII) solid.
Use of oxygen
7. Burning substances in air;
Changes in mass;
Burning substances in oxygen;
Metals;
Non-metals;
Reactivity series;
8. Competition for oxygen among metals;
9. Applications for the competition for oxygen;
10. Atmospheric pollution.
Introduction:
- Air is a gaseous mixture constituted of several gases, water vapour and pollutants.
Combustion:
- Is the burning of substances, usually in presence of air // oxygen;
- During combustion only the oxygen component of air is used; .e the active part of air.
Note:
- From the noble gases argon is the most abundant, constituting about 0.93% of the entire 1%
Procedure:
- A candle about 3cm long is put on a wide cork/ evaporating dish;
- It is then floated in a dilute solution of sodium hydroxide solution just above the beehive shelf;
- It is carefully covered with a dry 100cm3 measuring cylinder, during which the level of solution in
the cylinder is noted and marked;
- The measuring cylinder is removed and the candle lit;
- The lighting candle is then covered with a measuring cylinder;
- The experiment is allowed to proceed until the candle goes off;
Observations:
- The candle went off after sometime;
- The sodium hydroxide level inside the gas jar rises;
- The sodium hydroxide level in the trough goes down;
Diagrams:
Explanations:
- The candle wax is made up of hydrogen and carbon, hence called a hydrocarbon;
- During burning it melts in air consuming oxygen and producing carbon (IV) oxide and water vapour;
- The water vapour condenses giving a negligible volume of water;
- The resultant carbon (IV) oxide is absorbed by the sodium hydroxide;
- Absorption of carbon (IV) oxide in the gas jar creates a partial vacuum within it;
- The sodium hydroxide in the trough rises to fill the resultant space; and hence a drop in the sodium
hydroxide level in the tough;
Conclusion.
- Oxygen is the active part of air that is utilized during burning;
- Air is basically made up of 2 parts; an active part that supports burning and an inactive part that does
not support burning;
Procedure:
- The entire apparatus is arranged as shown below;
- An empty gas jar is inverted over the candle before lighting it;
- The initial height A, is measured and recorded;
- The gas jar is then removed; the candle lit and covered with the gas jar again;
- The set up is allowed to run till the candle extinguishes (goes off); and the final height (B) of the air
column measured.
Diagrams
Calculations:
- Amount of air in the gas jar initially = A cm 3;
- Final amount of air remaining after burning; = Bcm 3;
- Amount of oxygen used; = (A – B)
Thus;
Percentage of oxygen in air: = (A – B) x 10
A
= C%
Sample data:
Volume of air in the gas jar before burning =
Volume of air in the gas jar after burning =
Volume of air used during burning =
Percentage of air (by volume) used up = Volume used in burning x 100
Original (initial) volume
Substituting:
Conclusion:
- When candle burns in air, about 20% of air, which is oxygen used up;
Procedure:
- The gas jar is divided into five equal portions by marking around it using a waterproof marker;
- The gas jar is wet near the bottom and some iron fillings sprinkled on it;
- Some water is put in a trough and the jar with iron fillings // wool // powder inverted over it;
- The initial colour of iron fillings is noted;
- The set up is left undisturbed for a few days until the water shows no further change in rising;
Diagrams of apparatus set up:
Observations:
- The iron fillings change colour from a grey to form a brown solid;
- Water level in the gas jar rises // increases until the first mark in the gas jar;
- The water level in the trough decreases;
Explanations:
- The gas jar is moistened to make the iron fillings stick onto its surface so that the fillings do not fall
in the water when the gas jar is inverted;
- The brown substance formed is called rust and its chemical name is hydrated iron (III) oxide;
- During rusting, oxygen is utilized, thus creating a partial vacuum in the gas jar;
- This causes the water level in the gas jar to rise up and the water level in the trough to go down;
- The rise in water level is equivalent to about 1/5 of the original air volume, which translates to about
20%;
Conclusion:
- When rusting occurs about 20% of air, which is oxygen, is used up;
4. Determination of percentage of air used up when air is passed over heated copper.
Apparatus and chemicals.
- Two 100cm3 syringes labeled Y and Y;
- Hard glass test tube;
- Glass wool’;
- Bunsen burner;
- Copper turnings;
Procedure:
- A small amount of copper turnings is put in a hard glass tube and glass wool put at both ends of the
tube;
- All the air in the syringe Y is removed by pushing the plunger inside, upon which the syringe is
tightly fixed at one end of the tube// glass tube;
- The plunger of syringe Z is pulled out to the 100cm3 mark; to fill it with air.
The apparatus is arranged as below.
Diagram:
- The tube containing copper turnings is strongly heated;
- Air is then passed over the hot copper turnings by slowly pushing the plunger Z to and fro for several
times.
Reason:
- Ensure complete reaction between the hot copper turnings and oxygen (air);
- When no further air change in volume of air in the syringe occurs, the apparatus is allowed to cool;
- The volume of air left in syringe Z is recorded;
Observations:
- The brown solid (copper) turns into a black solid (copper (II) oxide);
- The plunger of syringe Z moves inwards to approximately 80 cm3 mark;
Explanations:
- The heated copper reacted with oxygen in air to form black copper (II) oxide;
- The percentage of oxygen that was in the air is approximately 20%, causing the plunger to move
inwards to the 80 cm3 mark;
Equation:
Copper + Oxygen → Copper (II) oxide;
(Brown) (Colourless) (Black)
Conclusion:
- Burning of copper in air utilizes oxygen and produces black copper (II) oxide.
4. Determination of percentage of air used up when air is passed over heated Magnesium.
- When the same set up is used to investigate the percentage of air used up in combustion of
magnesium the volume of air used up is relatively higher than the 20%.
Reason:
Magnesium produces a lot of heat during combustion and thus reacts with both oxygen and nitrogen
to form two products; magnesium oxide and magnesium nitride respectively;
Observations:
- Magnesium glows giving a bright blinding flame;
- Formation of a mixture of two white powders.
Equations:
Reaction with oxygen:
Magnesium + Oxygen → Magnesium oxide;
(Grey) (Colourless) (White)
Note:
- Sodium metal will also react with both oxygen and nitrogen during combustion; forming sodium
oxide and sodium nitride respectively;
Procedure:
- An empty measuring cylinder is inverted in a water trough and the water level noted;
- A small piece of white phosphorus is attached to the end of a piece of copper wire then put // inserted
into the inverted measuring cylinder ensuring it is above the water;
- The set up is left undisturbed for 24 hours;
Precaution:
- Avoid contact with the phosphorus;
- Avoid inhalation of the fumes;
Observations:
- White fumes inside the cylinder at the start of the experiment;
- After 24 hours:
- water level inside the measuring cylinder rises;
- Water level in the trough drops;
Explanations:
- Yellow or white phosphorus smoulders in air; due to the fact that phosphorus reacts with oxygen to
form phosphorus oxides;
-The phosphorus oxides are the white fumes;
- The phosphorus oxides then dissolves in water; forming acidic solutions of phosphoric acids;
- The water level rises inside the cylinder to occupy the volume of oxygen used up in reaction with
phosphorus;
Equations:
Phosphorus + Oxygen → Phosphorus (V) oxide
White // yellow Colourless White fumes
Conclusion:
- Phosphorus smolders easily in air, reacting with oxygen (active part of air) to form phosphorus (III)
or phosphorus (V) oxide;
- For this reason phosphorus is stored under water; to prevent it from reacting with atmospheric
oxygen;
Note:
- This reaction can be made much faster by heating the copper wire; which will transmit heat to the
piece of phosphorus at the tip, causing rapid burning of phosphorus to give dense white fumes of
phosphorus (V) oxide // phosphorus (III) oxides;
(ii). When white anhydrous copper (II) sulphate is left in the open overnight; it forms a blue solid of
hydrated copper (II) sulphate;
Reason:
- The white anhydrous copper (II) sulphate absorbs atmospheric water vapour;
- Upon hydration the copper (II) sulphate turns blue;
(iii). Sodium hydroxide pellets form a colourless solution when left in the open air overnight.
Reason:
- The sodium hydroxide pellets absorbs atmospheric water vapour and dissolves in it forming sodium
hydroxide solution;
(iv). When air is passed through anhydrous calcium hydroxide solid in a U-tube for sometime; there is
formation of a colourless solution in the U-tube.
Apparatus:
Reason:
- The anhydrous calcium chloride absorbs atmospheric water vapour forming a colourless solution of
calcium chloride;
Equation:
Calcium chloride + water → calcium chloride solution;
White Colourless solution;
Note:
- Substances that absorb moisture from the air to form a colourless solution are called deliquescent
substances.
- Other examples of deliquescent substances include: iron (III) chloride, magnesium chloride and zinc
chloride;
Equation:
Sodium hydroxide + Carbon (IV) oxide → Sodium carbonate + Water;
2NaOH(aq) + CO2(g) → Na2CO3(s) + H2O(l);
(ii). Bubbling atmospheric air through lime water (calcium hydroxide) to form a white insoluble salt of
calcium carbonate.
Apparatus:
Reason:
- Atmospheric carbon (IV) oxide reacts with limewater (calcium hydroxide) to form a white insoluble
precipitate of calcium carbonate salt;
Equation:
Calcium hydroxide + Carbon (IV) oxide → Calcium carbonate + Water;
Equation:
Calcium carbonate + Water + Carbon (IV) oxide → Calcium hydroxide solution;
Equations:
Sodium hydroxide + carbon (IV) oxide → Sodium carbonate + Water;
2NaOH(aq) + CO2(g) → Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l);
In excess;
Sodium carbonate + Water + Carbon (IV) oxide → Sodium hydrogen carbonate;
Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) → 2NaHCO3(aq);
Step 3: Removal of water vapour;
- The dust-free, CO2 – free air is then cooled to -25oC;
- This process solidifies the water vapour out as ice;
- This cooling process may be done at temperatures a s low as -80; so as to solidify any carbon (IV)
oxide (freezing point -78oC) that may have escaped absorption by the sodium hydroxide;
- The removal of water vapour and carbon (IV) oxide are important because it prevents blockage of the
pipes in the rest of the system;
- The liquid is again warmed further to a temperature of -185oC; causing the vapourization of argon
whose boiling point is -186oC;
- This is collected as a gas at the top of the fractionating column;
- The residue liquid is mainly oxygen with minute quantities of krypton and xenon which have even
high boiling points;
- The oxygen is drained off and stored as pressurized oxygen in steel cylinders;
Rusting.
- Is the corrosion of iron in presence of oxygen and moisture to form brown hydrated iron (III) oxide;
- The chemical name rust is therefore hydrated iron (III) oxide with the formula Fe2O3.2H2O;
- Rust itself is a brown porous substance;
Disadvantage of rusting:
- It weakens the structure of the metal (iron) and hence eventually destroys them.
- Two clean iron nails are added to the test - No rusting occurs; - There is water but no oxygen so no
tube; rusting occur;
- 10 cm3 of boiled hot water is added - Boiling the water removes any
2 followed by about 3 cm3 of oil; dissolved oxygen;
- Examine for two days; - Addition of the oil on top prevents
dissolution // entry of any air
containing oxygen into the water;
- Two clean iron nails are added to the test - No rusting occurs; - There is no air // oxygen but no
tube; water;
- Push a piece of cotton wool half way the - Anhydrous calcium chloride
test tube; absorbs any moisture form the air in
- Place some anhydrous calcium chloride the test tube;
3
on it and cork the tube tightly; - Corking the tube tightly prevents
- Examine for two days; more moisture from the atmosphere
from getting into the tube as the
calcium chloride may get saturated
and allow moisture into the nails;
- Two clean iron nails are added to the test - Some little rusting - Air contains and oxygen and some
tube; occurs; moisture that will facilitate rusting;
4
- Examine for two days;
- Two clean iron nails are added to the test Rusting occurs; and - Rusting occurs due to presence of
tube; at a faster rate than both water and oxygen in the salty
- Add salty water; the rest; water;
5 - Examine for two days; - Rusting is faster because the salty
water contains ions which gain
electrons hence facilitate faster
oxidation of iron;
Summary diagrams
Further explanations:
- During rusting the first step is the oxidation of iron b7y xygen (in the air) to form anhydrous iron (III)
oxide;
Equation:
Iron + Oxygen → Iron (III) oxide;
- The anhydrous ion (III) oxide then undergoes hydration with water to form brown hydrated iron (III)
oxide;
Equation:
Anhydrous iron (III) oxide + Water → Hydrated iron (III) oxide.
Black Brown;
Prevention of rusting.
Note:
- Rusting destroys materials; equipment and roofs made of iron;
- Rust is porous and thus allows air and water to reach the iron beneath.
- Thus if not removed iron will continue corroding until it is all eaten up.
2. Electroplating:
- Refers to electrolytic coating of metals (iron) with less reactive (less corrosive metals);
- This is done through the process of electrolysis where floe of electric current causes the less reactive
metal to coat the metal being protected from rusting;
Example:
- Most tin cans are in fact made yup of steel coated with a thin layer of tin.
- Other than being non-toxic tin is unreactive and rarely reacts with the contents of the can or air;
Note:
- Unlike in galvanizing, when an electroplated material gets scratched, the metal underneath (iron)
rusts, and very fast;
Reason:
- Both iron and the electroplating metal (tin) are exposed to air and water;
- Since iron is more reactive than tin (the less reactive electroplating material) it reacts with oxygen
and water in preference to tin;
3. Sacrificial protection.
- Blocks of a more reactive metal such as zinc or magnesium are attached to the iron structure;
- The more reactive metal will be corroded in preference to iron;
- To keep the iron structure from rusting, the block of reactive metal has to be replaced regularly;
- This metal is used for the protection of underground water pipes as well as ship hulls;
- The blocks of reactive metal are either attached directly to the iron structure or connected to it by a
wire.
Diagrams:
4. Painting.
- The paint coats the metal surface and thus prevents contact with air and water hence no rusting;
- However if the paint is scratched, rusting occurs quickly;
- It is used mainly in ion railings, gates, bridges, roofs, ships ad cars;
5. Alloying.
- Alloys are mixtures of two or more metals;
- Thus to prevent iron from rusting it may be mixed with one o more metals resulting into a substance
that does not rust;
Example:
- Stainless steel is an alloy of iron with chromium, nickel and manganese and it resistant to rusting.
Oxygen.
- A very important constituent of air;
- Lavoisier (1743 – 1794), A French Chemist showed that it is the component of air used in respiration
and also in burning fuels;
- It is the most abundant of all elements; occurring both freely as well as in combination with other
elements;
- Freely it constitutes about 21% by volume of atmospheric air;
Diagram;
Procedure.
- Some manganese (IV) oxide is placed into a flat-bottomed flask;
- The apparatus is set up as shown in the diagram above;
- Add hydrogen peroxide from a thistle funnel into the flask dropwise;
- The gas is collected as shown;
Observations:
- Bubbles of a colourless gas are released from the flask through the water then into the gas jar;
- The colourless gas collects on top of the water;
Explanations:
- Hydrogen peroxide decomposes slowly to oxygen and water under normal conditions;
- This process is however slow to collect enough volumes of oxygen;
- On addition of manganese (IV) oxide the decomposition is speeded up;
- Thus manganese (IV) oxide speeds up the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and thus acts a s a
catalyst;
Equation:
Without a catalyst:
Hydrogen peroxide → Water + oxygen;
2H2O2(l) → 2H2O(l) + O2(g) (slow process)
Note:
The first few bubbles of oxygen gas are not collected.
Reason: The gas is mixed with air which was originally in air and hence impure.
Method of collection;
- Over water collection.
Reason:
- It is insoluble in water and less dense than water
Diagram:
Diagram of apparatus.
Procedure.
- Some sodium peroxide is placed into a flat-bottomed flask;
- The apparatus is set up as shown in the diagram above;
- Add water from a thistle funnel into the flask dropwise;
- The gas is collected as shown;
Observations:
- Bubbles of a colourless gas are released from the flask through the water then into the gas jar;
- The colourless gas collects on top of the water;
Explanations:
- Sodium peroxide reacts with water to liberate oxygen;
- A solution of sodium hydroxide remains in the flask;
- This solution will turn litmus paper blue showing it is alkaline.
Equation:
Sodium peroxide + water → Sodium hydroxide + oxygen;
2Na2O2(l) + 2H2O(l) → 4NaOH(aq) + O2(g)
Note:
The first few bubbles of oxygen gas are not collected.
Reason: The gas is mixed with air which was originally in air and hence impure.
Method of collection;
- Over water collection;
Reason:
- It is insoluble in water and less dense than water;
Diagram of apparatus.
Procedure:
- The apparatus is set up as shown above.
- Some solid potassium manganate (VII) is put in a hard ignition// combustion tube and strongly heated
as shown above.
- The resultant gas is collected over water as shown above.
Observations;
- The purple solid forms a black solid (potassium manganate (II) solid);
- Bubbles of a colourless gas are evolved and collect over water;
Explanations:
- Upon heating potassium manganate (VII) decompose to manganese (VI) oxide; potassium
Equation:
Potassium manganate (VII) → Potassium manganate (II) + Oxygen gas
KMnO4(s) → KMnO2(s) + O2(g);
Uses of oxygen.
1. Used in hospitals for breathing by patients with breathing difficulties;
2. It is used by mountain climbers and deep sea divers for breathing;
3. It is used to burn fuels e.g. burning fuels for propelling rockets;
4. Used in welding and cutting metals
Examples:
- It combines with hydrogen to form a very hot oxy-hydrogen flame that is used in welding and cutting
metals;
- It combines with acetylene to form oxy-acetylene flame which is also used in welding and cutting
metals;
Apparatus.
Procedure:
- About 1g of magnesium is put in the crucible;
- The crucible (with the magnesium is then weighed)
- The apparatus is set up as above;
- The crucible is heated with the lid lifted occasionally; so as to allow in air;
- No content of the crucible is allowed to escape; to ensure all products of the burning are retained;
- After all the magnesium has burned the crucible is allowed to cool;
- The crucible and its contents are weighed again;
Observations
Mass of crucible + magnesium before burning = xg
Mass of crucible + contents after burning = yg
Change in mass = (x –y) g;
Mass of product before burning is lower // less than the mass of the product after burning;
Explanations:
- When the magnesium is burned in a closed crucible in a closed container, most of the air is
consumed;
- It is therefore necessary to allow in air so that the burning can continue;
- During burning the magnesium combines with air to form a new product;
- Magnesium combines with both oxygen and nitrogen in air to form magnesium nitride and
magnesium oxide;
Equations
With oxygen:
Magnesium + oxygen → Magnesium oxide;
Mg(s) + O2(g) → MgO(s);
With nitrogen:
Magnesium + Nitrogen →Magnesium nitride;
3Mg(s) + N2(g) → Mg3N2(s);
Conclusion:
- Generally when metals burn in air, there is increase in mass;
- All metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides;
- Only more reactive metals react with nitrogen in air;
Note:
- During burning if the product(s) of the burning is gaseous, then there would be decrease in mass.
Examples:
Phosphorus → Phosphorus (V) oxide;
Lead (II) nitrate → Phosphorus (V) oxide + Nitrogen (IV) oxide + Oxygen gas;
Calcium carbonate → Calcium oxide + carbon (IV) oxide;
Burning metals in air and in oxygen.
Requirements:
- Metals; deflagrating spoon; gas jar; source of heat;
Diagram of apparatus;
Procedure:
- A piece of sodium is warmed on a deflagrating spoon until it begins to burn;
- It is then lowered into a gas jar of air as shown above;
- The flame colour is noted;
- The gas jar is allowed to cool; some water added to the product(s) in the gas jar and shook well;
- Any gases produced are tested by smell and also with litmus papers;
- The experiment is then repeated with pure oxygen;
- The whole procedure is repeated with other metals;
Observations;
- When substances burn in oxygen they form only oxides; as opposed to burning substances in air
where some react with both air and nitrogen;
- Different substances produce different flame colours;
- Many metals burn in air and in oxygen at different speeds; with more reactive metals burning more
vigorously than the less reactive metals;
- Burning is faster in oxygen than in air;
Reason:
- Oxygen is pure but in air there are other constituents such as nitrogen, carbon (IV) oxide and noble
gases which slow down the burning;
- In air products are generally oxides and in some few cases (magnesium and sodium) nitrides as well;
- Metals that tend to be more reactive are the ones that react with both oxygen and nitrogen;
- In oxygen products are strictly oxides;
- Some of then products are soluble in water while others are not.
Sample equations:
Magnesium:
With oxygen:
Magnesium + oxygen → Magnesium oxide;
Mg(s) + O2(g) → MgO(s);
With nitrogen:
Magnesium + Nitrogen →Magnesium nitride;
3Mg(s) + N2(g) → Mg3N2(s);
Sodium:
With oxygen:
Sodium + oxygen → Sodium oxide;
4Na(s) + O2(g) → 2Na2O(s);
With nitrogen:
Sodium + Nitrogen →Magnesium nitride;
6Na(s) + N2(g) → 2Na3N(s);
Note:
- When metals combine with oxygen, it forms metal oxides. In these reactions oxygen is added to the
metals; hence the reaction is called oxidation.
- Oxidation refers to the addition of oxygen to a substance;
- The reactivity of various metals with oxygen differs.
- The arrangement of the metals in order of their activity forms the reactivity series;
- Metallic oxides generally turn litmus paper blue and are thus said to be basic oxides;
- Some metallic oxides however have both acidic and basic properties and are thus termed amphoteric
oxides e.g. aluminium oxides;
The Reactivity series of metals;
Potassium; Most reactive;
Sodium;
Calcium;
Aluminium;
Zinc; increasing reactivity;
Iron;
Lead;
Copper;
Mercury;
Silver;
Gold; Least reactive
Diagram of apparatus;
Procedure:
- A piece of sulphur is heated on a deflagrating spoon until it begins to burn;
- It is then lowered into a gas jar of oxygen as shown above;
- The flame colour is noted;
- The gas jar is allowed to cool; some water added to the product(s) in the gas jar and shook well;
- Any resultant solution is tested with litmus papers;
- Any gases produced are tested by smell and also with litmus papers;
- The experiment is then repeated with pure oxygen;
- The whole procedure is repeated with other non-metals such as carbon and phosphorus;
Explanations:
1. Sulphur.
- Burns in oxygen with a blue flame to give a colourless gas with a choking irritating smell;
- The gas is sulphur (IV) oxide;
Equation:
Sulphur + Oxygen → Sulphur (IV) oxide;
S + O2(g) → SO2(g);
- The sulphur (IV) oxide dissolves in water to form sulphurous acid, which turns litmus rd;
SO2(g) + H2O(l) → H2SO3(l);
2. Carbon
- Glows red to give a colourless gas that forms a white precipitate in lime water;
- The gas is Carbon (IV) oxide;
Equation:
Carbon + Oxygen → Carbon (IV) oxide;
C + O2(g) → CO2(g);
- The Carbon (IV) oxide dissolves in water to form weak carbonic acid, which turns litmus rd;
CO2(g) + H2O(l) → H2CO3(l);
Note:
- In limited oxygen the carbon undergoes partial oxidation forming carbon (II) oxide;
Equation:
2C(s) + O2(g) → 2CO(g)
3. Phosphorus.
- Burns in oxygen with a white flame to give dense white fumes;
- The white fumes are either phosphorus (V) oxide or phosphorus (III) oxide;
- Both solids // fumes dissolve in water to form phosphoric acid;
Equations:
With limited supply of oxygen:
Phosphorus + Oxygen → Phosphorus (III) oxide;
P4(s) + 3O2(g) →2P2O3(g);
Precautions:
The experiment should be done in a fume cupboard.
Reason:
Products of burning sulphur and phosphorus in air are poisonous.
Note:
- Most non-metallic oxides are acidic in nature and therefore turn litmus red and are thus referred to as
acidic oxides;
- Some non-metallic oxides form oxides which are neither acidic nor basic and are thus termed neutral
oxides; e.g. carbon (II) oxide and water (hydrogen oxide);
Procedure:
- A spatula end full of copper (II) oxide in a bottle top.
- Magnesium powder and mixed well;
- Record the observations;
- The experiment is repeated using other metal oxides with various other metals like zinc, iron etc.
Observations:
Metal Magnesium Zinc Iron Lead Copper
Metal
oxide
Magnesium oxide No reaction No reaction No reaction No reaction No reaction
(white)
Zinc oxide White No reaction No reaction No reaction No reaction
(white) magnesium oxide
and grey zinc
metal
Iron (III) oxide White White zinc oxide No reaction No reaction No reaction
magnesium oxide and iron;
and grey iron
metal;
Lead (II) oxide White White zinc oxide Iron (III) oxide No reaction No reaction
(yellow when magnesium oxide and lead; and lead;
and
Copper (II) oxide White White zinc oxide Brown iron (III) Yellow lead (II) No reaction
(Black magnesium oxide and brown copper oxide and brown oxide and brown
and brown copper metal; copper metal copper metal
metal;
Explanations:
- A more reactive metal takes away oxygen from a less reactive metal;
- This is because a more reactive metal reacts more readily with a less reactive metal;
- These reactions are called displacement reactions;
- Some metals can displace other metals from their oxides upon heating;
- Metals which are higher in the reactivity series can displace metals which are lower in the reactivity
series from their oxides;
- From the table none of the metals can displace magnesium from its oxide, while copper can be
displaced from its oxides by all the metals.
- Thus from the list magnesium is the most reactive while copper is the least reactive.
- Such results of displacement reactions can also be used to develop a reactivity series of the metals
(elements) concerned.
Selected equations:
1. Copper (II) oxide + Magnesium → Magnesium oxide + Copper
CuO(s) + Mg(s) → MgO(s) + Cu(s);
Black Grey White Brown.
Note:
- Removal of oxygen is called reduction;
- Addition of oxygen is called oxidation;
- A substance that loses oxygen during a reaction is said to be reduced while a substance that removes
oxygen from another is called reducing agent;
- A substance that gains oxygen during a reaction is said to be oxidized while a substance that loses /
donates oxygen to another is called an oxidizing agent;
Examples:
1. Copper (II) oxide + Magnesium → Magnesium oxide + Copper
CuO(s) + Mg(s) → MgO(s) + Cu(s);
Black Grey White Brown.
- In the above reactions both reduction and oxidation take place at the same time;
- A reaction in which both reduction and oxidation occur at the same time is called a redox reaction;
“red” from reduction and “ox” from oxidation;
Examples:
Zinc (II) oxide + Carbon (II) oxide → Zinc + carbon (IV) oxide;
Examples:
- Mining increases the amount of dust particles in the air;
- Geothermal power drilling may result into emission of gases like hydrogen sulphide, sulphur (IV)
oxide into the air;
- Industrial processes like manufacture of nitric (V) acid, contact process etc may add gases ilke
sulphur (IV) oxide, nitrogen oxides into the air;
Uses of oxygen:
1. Used for breathing in hospitals fro patients with breathing difficulties.
2. Used for breathing by mountain climbers and deep sea divers.
3. Used to burn fuels e.g. burning fuels to propel rockets.
4. Manufacture of the oxy-acetylene flame that is used in welding and cutting of metals;
5. Removal of iron impurities during steel making i.e. oxygen is blown through impure iron; the
oxygen then reacts with carbon impurities forming carbon (IV) oxide which escapes leaving behind
pure iron (steel).
UNIT 5: WATER AND HYDROGEN.
Checklist:
1. Introduction
2. Burning candle wax in air.
3. Reaction of water with metals
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
4. Reaction of metals with steam.
Calcium
Magnesium
Zinc
Iron
Aluminium
5. Hydrogen
Hydrogen;
Reduction property of hydrogen
Burning hydrogen in air;
6. Uses of hydrogen
Introduction:
- Water is the most abundant substances on earth;
- It covers about 71% of the earth’s surface;
- Main sources of water include seas, lakes, rivers, oceans.
Procedure.
- The candle is lit under the funnel and the suction pump turned on.
- The set up is left undisturbed for about 15 minutes.
Observations;
- The candle continues to burn.
- Droplets of a colourless liquid in the tube A;
- The colourless liquid turns white anhydrous copper (II) sulphate to blue and blue anhydrous cobalt
(II) chloride into pink;
- A white precipitate forms in the calcium hydroxide in tube B;
- Deposits of a black solid on the inner sides of the funnel;
Explanations;
- The suction pump ensures continuous supply of air hence the candle continues to burn;
- Candle wax buns in oxygen to form carbon (IV) oxide and steam;
- The carbon (IV) oxide is sucked out through the apparatus by the suction pump;
- Carbon (IV) oxide forms a white precipitate of calcium carbonate when bubbled through lime water
(calcium hydroxide)
- Incomplete combustion of the carbon in the candle wax produces carbon particles which cools and
deposits as black solids;
Equations:
As the candle burns:
Carbon + Oxygen → Carbon (IV) oxide;
C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g);
General equation:
Hydrocarbon + Oxygen → Water + Carbon (IV) oxide;
Conclusion:
- Candle wax is a compound of carbon and hydrogen only; and such compounds are defined as
hydrocarbons;
- When burned in air (oxygen) hydrocarbons produce carbon (IV) oxide ad steam (water);
- Other examples of hydrocarbons include: petrol; diesel; kerosene etc;
Observations:
- The candle went off;
- Deposition of black solid on the inner sides of the funnel;
- No colourless liquid in tube A;
- No white precipitate in tube B;
Explanations:
- The carbon (IV) oxide and steam produced would accumulate in the filter funnel hence making the
flame to go off;
- Incomplete combustion of the candle would produce carbon particles which cool as soot;
- Only negligible amount of water and carbon (IV) oxide would pass through the apparatus;
Reactions of water with metals:
1. Potassium.
Procedure:
- A small piece of potassium metal is cut and dropped into a trough containing water;
- The resultant solution is tested with litmus paper;
Diagram of apparatus:
Equation II
4K(s) + O2 (g) → 2K2O(s);
Equation III:
K2O(s) + H2O(l) → 2KOH(aq)
Diagram of apparatus:
Equation II
4Na(s) + O2 (g) → 2Na2O(s);
Equation III:
Na2O(s) + H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq)
3. Calcium.
Procedure:
- A small piece of calcium metal is cut and dropped into a trough containing water;
- A filter funnel is inverted over it;
- A test tube filled with water is then inverted over the funnel;
- The gas given out is collected as shown in the apparatus below.
- The resultant gas is then tested with a burning splint;
- The resultant solution in the trough is tested with litmus paper.
Diagram of apparatus:
Reaction equation:
Ca(s) + H2O (l) → Ca (OH) 2(aq) + H2 (g);
1. Magnesium
Procedure:
- A small amount of wet sand is put at the bottom of a boiling tube;
- A small piece of magnesium ribbon is cleaned and put in the middle of the combustion tube;
- The magnesium ribbon is heated strongly then the wet sand is warmed gently;
- The delivery tube is removed before heating stops; and the gas produced is tested using a burning
splint;
Diagram of apparatus:
Reaction equation.
Magnesium + Steam → Magnesium oxide + Hydrogen gas;
Mg(s) + H2O(g) → MgO(s) + H2(g);
2. Zinc
Procedure:
- A small amount of wet sand is put at the bottom of a boiling tube;
- A small piece of zinc put in the middle of the combustion tube;
- The zinc is heated strongly then the wet sand is warmed gently;
- The delivery tube is removed before heating stops; and the gas produced is tested using a burning
splint;
Diagram of apparatus:
Reaction equation.
Zinc + Steam → Zinc oxide + Hydrogen gas;
Grey Colourless Yellow when hot Colourless
White on cooling
Zn(s) + H2O(g) → ZnO(s) + H2(g);
3. Iron
Procedure:
- A small amount of wet sand is put at the bottom of a boiling tube;
- A small piece of iron put in the middle of the combustion tube;
- The iron is heated strongly then the wet sand is warmed gently;
- The delivery tube is removed before heating stops; and the gas produced is tested using a burning
splint;
Diagram of apparatus:
Reaction equation.
Iron + Steam → Tri-iron tetra-oxide + Hydrogen gas;
Grey Colourless Black Colourless
4. Aluminium
Procedure:
- A small amount of wet sand is put at the bottom of a boiling tube;
- A small piece of aluminium put in the middle of the combustion tube;
- The aluminium is heated strongly then the wet sand is warmed gently;
- The delivery tube is removed before heating stops; and the gas produced is tested using a burning
splint;
Diagram of apparatus:
Reaction equation.
Aluminium + Steam → Zinc oxide + Hydrogen gas;
Grey Colourless White Colourless
5. Other metals.
- Lead and copper do not react with steam;
Summary of the reaction between metals with cold water and steam
Metal Action of metal on water Action of metal on steam
Potassium Violent Explosive
Sodium Violent Explosive
Calcium Moderate Violent
Magnesium Very slow Rapid
Aluminium No reaction Slow
Zinc No reaction Slow
Iron No reaction Slow
Lead No reaction No reaction
Copper No reaction No reaction
Note:
- Metals can thus be arranged in order of their reactivities with water; resulting to a reactivity series
similar to that obtained form reaction between metals with oxygen;
Apparatus:
Procedure:
- Zinc granules are added to dilute sulphuric (VI) acid;
- Small amounts of copper (II) sulphate are added to the zinc – acid mixture;
Reason: To act as a catalyst hence speed up the reaction;
- The resultant colourless gas is collected over water;
Reason: The gas is insoluble in water;
- If the gas is required dry, the gas is passed through concentrated sulphuric (VI) acid or a U-tube
containing calcium chloride;
Zinc granules
- The dry gas is collected by upward delivery (downward displacement of air);
Reason: It is less dense than air (note that hydrogen is the lightest gas known);
Note:
- Nitric (V) acid is not used in preparation of hydrogen gas; except very dilute nitric (V) acid and
magnesium
Reason: Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent hence the hydrogen formed is immediately oxidized to
water
- Potassium, sodium, lithium and calcium are not used in laboratory preparation of hydrogen gas;
Reason: They react explosively with acids;
- Magnesium is not usually used for laboratory preparation of hydrogen;
Reason: It is expensive;
- Prior to using it for preparation of hydrogen; aluminium should be washed with concentrated
hydrochloric acid;
Reason: To remove the protective oxide layer that usually forms on the aluminium surface on its
exposure to air;
- Hydrogen gas produced from iron metal tends to have a foul smell;
Reason: Iron gives a mixture of gases due to impurities in the iron; the foul smell is usually due to
production of hydrogen sulphide that results from sulphide impurities in the iron metal;
Reaction equations:
I. Iron + Sulphuric (VI) acid → Iron (II) sulphate + Hydrogen gas;
Fe(s) + H2SO4(aq) → FeSO4(aq) + H2(g)
II. Iron (II) sulphide + Sulphuric (VI) acid → Iron (II) sulphate + Hydrogen sulphide gas;
FeS(s) + H2SO4(aq) → FeSO4(aq) + H2S(g);
Chemical properties.
1. It has no effect on litmus paper implying that it is neutral;
2. It burns with a pop sound when mixed with air;
3. Pure hydrogen burns quietly with a blue flame producing water;
4. Hydrogen does not support combustion but it burns in air;
5. It is a reducing agent;
Diagram of apparatus.
Procedure:
- Apparatus are arranged as shown above;
- Dry hydrogen gas is passed through the combustion tube for sometime prior to heating the oxide;
Reason:
To drive out all the air from the apparatus which may otherwise re-oxidize the metal after
reduction.
A mixture of hydrogen and air will explode when the combustion tube is heated;
- The gas is continuously collected at the jet and tested; until the gas burns smoothly without a “pop”
sound;
- The gas is then lit at the jet and the copper oxide heated;
- This is done until no further change;
- The apparatus is allowed to cool as hydrogen is still continuously allowed to pass through;
Reason:
To prevent re-entry of atmospheric oxygen which will re-oxidize the hot metal back to the
metal oxide;
- Excess hydrogen must be burnt at the jet so that excess gas is not allowed to escape into the air;
Reason:
The mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is explosive when ignited;
Reaction equations:
In the combustion tube:
Copper (II) oxide + Hydrogen → Copper + Water;
Black solid Colourless gas Brown solid Colourless liquid
CuO(s) + H2(g) → Cu(s) + H2O(l);
At the jet:
- Hydrogen burns with a blue flame producing water;
Equation:
2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(l);
Conclusion:
- Hydrogen is a reducing agent and thus reduces the copper (II) oxide to copper metals while hydrogen
itself undergoes oxidation to form water;
- Hydrogen is the reducing agent;
- Copper (II) oxide is the oxidizing agent;
Diagram of apparatus.
Procedure:
- Apparatus are arranged as shown above;
- Dry hydrogen gas is passed through the combustion tube for sometime prior to heating the oxide;
Reason:
To drive out all the air from the apparatus which may otherwise re-oxidize the metal after
reduction.
A mixture of hydrogen and air will explode when the combustion tube is heated;
- The gas is continuously collected at the jet and tested; until the gas burns smoothly without a “pop”
sound;
- The gas is then lit at the jet and the copper oxide heated;
- This is done until no further change;
- The apparatus is allowed to cool as hydrogen is still continuously allowed to pass through;
Reason:
To prevent re-entry of atmospheric oxygen which will re-oxidize the hot metal back to the
metal oxide;
- Excess hydrogen must be burnt at the jet so that excess gas is not allowed to escape into the air;
Reason:
The mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is explosive when ignited;
Reaction equations:
In the combustion tube:
Lead (II) oxide + Hydrogen → Lead + Water;
Yellow-cold; red - hot Colourless gas Grey solid Colourless liquid
PbO(s) + H2(g) → Pb(s) + H2O(l);
At the jet:
- Hydrogen burns with a blue flame producing water;
Equation:
2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(l);
Conclusion:
- Hydrogen is a reducing agent and thus reduces the lead (II) oxide to lead metals while hydrogen itself
undergoes oxidation to form water;
- Hydrogen is the reducing agent;
- Lead (II) oxide is the oxidizing agent;
Diagram of apparatus.
Procedure:
- Apparatus are arranged as shown above;
- Dry hydrogen gas is passed through the combustion tube for sometime prior to heating the oxide;
Reason:
To drive out all the air from the apparatus which may otherwise re-oxidize the metal after
reduction.
A mixture of hydrogen and air will explode when the combustion tube is heated;
- The gas is continuously collected at the jet and tested; until the gas burns smoothly without a “pop”
sound;
- The gas is then lit at the jet and the copper oxide heated;
- This is done until no further change;
- The apparatus is allowed to cool as hydrogen is still continuously allowed to pass through;
Reason:
To prevent re-entry of atmospheric oxygen which will re-oxidize the hot metal back to the
metal oxide;
- Excess hydrogen must be burnt at the jet so that excess gas is not allowed to escape into the air;
Reason:
The mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is explosive when ignited;
Reason:
The hot brown iron (III) oxide is reduced by hydrogen gas into grey iron metal while hydrogen gas is
oxidized to water;
- The colourless liquid is confirmed to be water by:
Adding drops of it to anhydrous copper (II) sulphate which forms a blue solid;
Adding drops of it onto blue anhydrous cobalt (II) chloride which turns pink;
Reaction equations:
In the combustion tube:
Iron (III) oxide + Hydrogen → Iron + Water;
Brown solid Colourless gas Grey solid Colourless liquid
Fe2O3(s) + 3H2(g) → 2Fe(s) + 3H2O(l);
At the jet:
- Hydrogen burns with a blue flame producing water;
Equation:
2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(l);
Conclusion:
- Hydrogen is a reducing agent and thus reduces the iron (III) oxide to iron metal while hydrogen itself
undergoes oxidation to form water;
- Hydrogen is the reducing agent;
- Iron (III) oxide is the oxidizing agent;
Note:
- Hydrogen does not reduce (remove oxygen) from oxides of metals above it in the reactivity series;
Products of burning hydrogen gas in air.
Apparatus and requirements:
- The apparatus is arranged as shown below.
Procedure:
- Apparatus is arranged as shown below.
- A stream of hydrogen is passed through anhydrous calcium chloride;
- The gas is tested for purity by collecting samples over the jet and testing with a burning splint.
Note: pure hydrogen gas should burn smoothly without the typical “pop sound”;
- The gas is then lit and the pump tuned on;
- The products of burning hydrogen is drown in through the apparatus using the pump for about 15
minutes;
- The product condensing in the test tube in cold water is tested with white anhydrous copper (II)
sulphate and blue cobalt chloride paper;
Observations:
- Pure hydrogen burns with a blue flame;
- A colourless liquid condenses in the test tube immersed in cold water;
- The liquid turns white anhydrous copper (II) sulphate blue;
- The colourless liquid turns blue anhydrous cobalt chloride pink;
Explanations:
- The calcium chloride in the U-tube is used to dry the gas;
- The pure dry hydrogen gas burns with a blue flame to form steam which condenses into liquid water;
- Water turns anhydrous copper (II) chloride from white to blue; and turns blue anhydrous cobalt
chloride paper into pink;
Reaction equations:
At the jet:
2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(g);
Uses of Hydrogen
1. Large scale manufacture of ammonia in the Haber process;
2. Hydrogenation for the manufacture of margarine.
- This refers to hardening of oils into fats.
- In this reaction Hydrogen gas is bubbled into liquid oil in presence o0f nickel catalyst;
- The oil takes up hydrogen and is converted into fat;
3. Hydrogen is used in weather balloons because it is lighter than air;
- Usually a radio transmitter is connected to a weather balloon filled with air; as the balloon floats in
air the transmitter collects information which is conveyed to weather stations for interpretation by
meteorologists;
4. A mixture of hydrogen and oxygen forms the very hot oxy-hydrogen flame (with temperatures up to
2000oC that is used in welding and cutting metals;
5. It is used in rocket fuels for propulsion of rockets;
6. Manufacture of hydrochloric acid; during which hydrogen is burnt in chlorine;