Identifying chemicals

Aim: To test how different known white powders react to different tests To identify the unknown white powders in a mystery mixture (using the information previously obtained) Materials Samples of white powders (sugar, salt, starch, baking soda, plaster & potassium iodide) Black paper Hand lens Tin foil Bunsen burner Tripod Gauze mat White cavity tile Vinegar Iodine solution Lead (II) nitrate solution Method: 1. Carry out the following tests on each of the known powders: Test 1: Place a small amount of each powder on a square of black powder and observe with a hand lens. (It will be easier to compare the powders if you put all six on the paper at the same time dont mix them!) Record observations in the table below (grain size, colour, clumpiness, etc) Test 2: Place a small amount of each powder on a square of tin foil. Gently heat over a Bunsen burner. (Do the sugar LAST with this test) Record your observations Test 3: Place a small amount of each powder in a separate cavity on the cavity tile. Add a drop of vinegar to each. Record your observations. Test 4: Place a small amount of each powder in a separate cavity on the cavity tile. Add a drop of iodine solution to each. Record your observations. Test 5: Place a small amount of each powder in a separate cavity on the cavity tile. Add a drop of water to each. Record your observations. Test 6: Place a small amount of each powder in a separate cavity on the cavity tile. Add a drop of Lead (II) nitrate solution to each. Record your observations. 2. Now to apply your findings: Take a sample of the unknown powder mixture (which contains at least two of the powders you have just been testing mixed together). To identify the powders present, you must carry out each of the six tests on the mixture and see what positive reactions you get.

Results: Sugar Observation Salt Starch Baking soda Plaster Potassium Iodide

Heat

Reaction with vinegar

Reaction with iodine

Reaction with water

Reaction with lead (II) nitrate

Unknown Powder mixture Observation Heat

Reaction (vinegar)

Reaction (iodine)

Reaction (water)

Reaction (lead (II) nitrate)