Identifying the Type of Substances Lab #2

Written by: Jerry Liu

Purpose: By using the knowledge on the physical properties of compounds you are to classify several unknown samples as being either ionic, polar molecular or non-polar molecular. Hypothesis: By testing for the physical properties the different compounds should have the following characteristics: Ionic Most commonly a crystal structure Yes High Yes Polar Molecular Most commonly a liquid Yes Medium No Non-Polar Molecular Most commonly a gas No Low No

State Solubility in H2O Melting/Boiling Point Electrical Conductivity

Materials: -distilled water -#1 - #4 unknown compounds -scoopula -well plate -conductivity tester -deflagrating spoon -Bunsen burner -safety glasses -glass stirring rod -Flint fire starter for Bunsen burner Procedure: Solubility Test: 1. 2. 3. 4. Put on safety glasses and gathered all needed materials. Took well plate and placed a small sample of each of the mysterious compounds into a well. Filled the occupied wells with distilled water. Stirred with glass stirring rod 1

5. Recorded results Conductivity Test: 1. Took conductivity tester and placed in the first well. 2. To check for conductivity level : First the low function was used. Only when 3 lights turned on for the low function, the high function was used. 3. Recorded the results 4. Rinsed the contacts with distilled water 5. Repeated for other 3 samples

Boiling Point Test 1. Took deflagrating spoon and placed a small sample of mysterious compound 2. Made sure to have a safe test space 3. Ignited Bunsen burner by following the proper procedures: First the tube of the burner was completely closed so no air could go in from the bottom Then the gas was let through the burner Finally, a flint Bunsen burner fire starter was used to ignite the Bunsen burner 4. Placed the spoon containing the sample over the bright blue triangle in the flame 5. The spoon was held over the flame for 30 seconds 6. Recorded results 7. Rinsed and cleaned the spoon 8. Repeated for other 3 samples

Observations: Sample 1 Fine, white, crystals Appears to not dissolve High conductivity High melting point Sample 2 Ball shaped, white, crystals Appears to dissolve very slowly Low conductivity Low melting point Sample 3 Fine, white, powder Appears to dissolve High conductivity High melting point Sample 4 Fine, white, powder Appears to dissolve Low conductivity Low melting point Sample 5 Fine, white, crystals Appears to not dissolve Low conductivity Low melting point

Physical Properties Does it dissolve? Does it conduct? High or low melting point?

Discussion: 1. Ionic Sample 3: This sample matches the characteristics of an ionic compound. It appears dissolved in water, it has a high conductivity level, and it has a high boiling point. Polar Molecular Sample 2: This sample matches the characteristics of a polar molecular compound. It appears to dissolve very slowly, it has low conductivity, and a low melting point. Non-Polar Molecular Sample 5: This sample matches the characteristics of a non-polar molecular compound. It appears to not dissolve at all, it has a low conductivity and it has such a very low melting point as it caught on fire.

2. Sample 2 had a distinct odour. A strong odour from a compound usually means that it has a very weak intermolecular force. When a compound has a weak intermolecular force, the molecules of the compound can easily leave the sample and in other words, vaporize. Since it vaporized, it can travel in the air and eventually, it will reach your nose and your nose will pick it up and will send a signal to your brain which will be interpreted as the odour. 3. You must do more than one test to confirm the classification of a compound because the different compounds will have similar properties. For example, an ionic and a polar molecular compound will both dissolve in H2O, but the ionic compound will conduct electricity and the polar molecular compound will not. 4. Sources of error could be some of the following: - Contaminated well plates - Contaminated samples - Contaminated water - Lingering samples of the compound on the contacts of the conductivity tester - Highly unlikely, but the compounds were mixed up or put into the wrong well 5. Chemical #1 CH3Cl chloromethane Melting point: -97.7 Boiling point: -24.2 Chemical #2 CH4 - methane Melting point: -182.5 Boiling point: -161.5 Comparison Because chloromethane has a lower melting point and boiling point than methane, this means that it has a weaker inter-molecular force than methane. The higher the intermolecular force is in a compound, the harder it is for the molecules to leave each other as the energy required is much higher. 3

Lewis Structure: H + H C H .. Cl : ..

Lewis Structure: H H C H H

This compound is polar molecular

This compound is non-polar molecular

Because the chloromethane is a polar molecule, it will have a higher intermolecular force than methane as methane is a non-polar molecular compound. This happens because a polar molecular compound can attract each others opposite charged side. The stronger the difference of the charge within the molecule, the stronger the inter-molecular force as it allows a stronger hold (the same way magnets work; stronger the magnets, harder it is to pull it apart).

Conclusion: By learning and applying the knowledge of the physical properties of ionic, polar molecular and nonpolar molecular compounds, it is possible to classify unknown compounds. If a compound was to have a high melting point, a high electrical conductivity level and is soluble in H2O, it is most likely Ionic. If a compound was to have a medium melting point, a low electrical conductivity level and is soluble in water, it was most likely to be a polar molecular compound. Finally, if a compound was to have a low melting point, a low electrical conductivity level and is not soluble in water, it was most likely a nonpolar molecular compound.