Required practical 1: Preparation of a soluble salt
Objective:
To prepare a pure, dry sample of a soluble salt from an insoluble oxide or carbonate using a Bunsen burner and dilute acid
Hypothesis:
A salt can be prepared and separated by an acid-base neutralisation reaction
Materials:
- 1.0 mol/dm3 dilute sulfuric acid
- Copper(II) oxide
- Spatula & glass rod
- Measuring cylinder & 100 cm3 beaker
- Bunsen burner
- Tripod, gauze & heatproof mat
- Filter funnel & paper, conical flask
- Evaporating basin and dish.
The steps in the preparation of a soluble salt
Practical Tip:
The base is added in excess to use up all of the acid, which would become dangerously concentrated during the evaporation and crystallisation stages
Method:
- Add 50 cm3 dilute acid into a beaker and warm gently using a Bunsen burner
- Add the insoluble oxide slowly to the hot dilute acid and stir until the base is in excess (i.e. until the base stops dissolving and a suspension of the base forms in the acid)
- Filter the mixture into an evaporating basin to remove the excess base
- Gently heat the solution in a water bath or with an electric heater to evaporate the water and to make the solution saturated
- Check the solution is saturated by dipping a cold glass rod into the solution and seeing if crystals form on the end
- Leave the filtrate in a warm place to dry and crystallise
- Decant excess solution and allow the crystals to dry
Results:
Hydrated copper(II) sulfate crystals should be bright blue and regularly shaped
Evaluation:
Describe how your crystals compare to the description in the results section. If different, suggest an explanation
Conclusion:
Acid-base reactions produce salt and water with the regular shape of the salt reflecting the ionic lattice structure in its bonding
Examiner Tip
Make sure you learn the names of all the laboratory apparatus used in the preparation of salts.