Determining the Empirical Formula of a Compound Lab Report

Determining the Empirical Formula of a Compound Lab Report

Sunmi Jin
Chemistry II

Determining the Empirical Formula of a Compound Lab Report

1. Introduction
This science lab was devised to help us determine the empirical formula of a
compound, specifically of magnesium and magnesium oxide and also find its
stoichiometric composition. The empirical formula is basically the molecular formula
simplified to its most basic form, in whole numbers. The stoichiometric ratio is
essentially a whole-number ratio of the quantity of elements in the compound. Often, the
empirical formula is not the same as the molecular, since it is a simplified version of it.
The experimental goals for this lab were to derive the stoichiometric composition
of an ionic compound by burning magnesium in air to form magnesium oxide and
magnesium nitrate, which would then be converted to magnesium hydroxide and
ammonia by adding water. Finally, we would then be left with magnesium oxide after
heating magnesium hydroxide. Upon taking precise measurements, we were be able to
find the mass in grams of certain compounds and elements, and then convert it to moles.
After finding the moles, we found our molecular formula, and ultimately, our empirical
formula and stoichiometric composition.
Our beginning question was phrased as follows: How does the mass of each
element in a compound affect the molecules empirical formula? We first burned
magnesium in air to form magnesium oxide and magnesium nitride before adding water
to create magnesium hydroxide and ammonia in order to find an acceptable answer to our
ingquiry. After being heated, the magnesium hydroxide reacted and yielded magnesium
oxide and water vapor so we could examine, measure, calculate, and record the
differences in mass between each measurement. After all of these measurements and
several calculations, the empirical formula was reached.

Determining the Empirical Formula of a Compound Lab Report

2. Methods and Materials
The first items that were found and taken to the ring stand apparatus were a
crucible and lid and clay triangle. The crucible was first inspected for cracks, and if
deemed acceptable, heated in order to dispel any leftover materials from previous
experiments and also sterilize it. Then the crucible was cooled, massed, making sure to
use tongs and use the back of our hands in order to avoid being burned, yielding an
original mass of 7.704 g, and then a mass of 7.703 after the first heating. Because the
measurements were within 10 mg of each other, the next step was taken.
Then, 0.12 grams of magnesium sample was added to the crucible, and they were
massed together, totaling approximately 7.82 grams. Upon doing so, the crucible was
returned to the clay triangle and heated intensely for about 3 minutes until the sample
started to glow. After lifting the lid slightly for a few seconds, the crucible was heating
yet again. Upon cooling, the crust over the contents was broken with a provided paperclip
and the process was repeated over. The crust was broken in order to ensure that all of the
substance in the crucible had a chance to react. A
After heating all of the substance evenly, three drops of deionized water were
squeezed into the crucible and mixed with the magnesium. Then the crucible was entirely
heated again. After the crucible and sample was cooled, the mass of the crucible, lid, and
metal oxide was recorded. Finally, the process was repeated until two consecutive
readings within 10 g of each other were obtained, the metal oxide was disposed of, and
ended with the crucible washed and materials cleaned up.

Determining the Empirical Formula of a Compound Lab Report

3. Results
In the end, results included the mass of the crucible and the lid, which was 7.703
g, and the mass of the crucible, lid, and magnesium collectively, which was 7.82 g, which
in turn yielded the mass of magnesium, which was 0.117 g. After heating the magnesium,
the mass of the crucible, mid, and magnesium oxide was found to be 7.8979 g, and so the
mass of the magnesium oxide alone about 0.1949 g. Given these results, the empirical
formula was found to be Mg2O.
4. Questions and Calculations
1. Why is it necessary to heat the crucible before performing the experiment?
To disinfect it and eliminate previous substances in the crucible, especially
liquids.
2. Why do you have to use tongs to hold the lid?
Because the heat will also reach the lid and so we must use tongs to make sure we
dont burn ourselves because cool and hot substances often look the same.
3. Why do you need to bring the unreacted metal to the surface?
So it can also react with the oxygen and so that we dont have two different
substances.
4. What is the mass of magnesium in the magnesium oxide compound? How many
moles of magnesium is this?
g: 7.8979-7.703=0.1949 g
Mol: 0.1949 g Mg * 1 mol/24.1 g Mg = .008087 mol Mg
5. Calculate the mass and number of moles of oxygen in the magnesium oxide.
g: 0.1949 g O - 0.377 g O = 0.900 g O
Mol: 0.900 g O * 1 mol/16 g O = 0.56 mol O
6. What is the empirical formula of the magnesium oxide compound, using whole
numbers?
According to our lab results, it was Mg2O
7. What is the accepted empirical formula of magnesium?
Mg2O
8. What are some sources of experimental error and what could be done to prevent
such error?

Determining the Empirical Formula of a Compound Lab Report

Experimental error for our results vary from the actual empirical value, not
completely reacting magnesium with oxide, and using more than three drops of
deionized water, as well as spilling small amounts of already reacted magnesium
oxide due when taking the crucible out of the tray.
9. If some unreacted magnesium metal remains in the crucible, explain how this will
affect the empirical formula.
There will not be an accurate measurement of MgO because some of the
unreacted MgO will be included.
10. If there is insufficient oxygen from air, some magnesium nitride will form. If this
is not converted to magnesium oxide, will the ratio of oxygen to magnesium
appear to high or low?
Some magnesium nitride will be formed, but the ratio of oxygen to magnesium
will be larger than usual.
11. Recalling the smell that you sensed where you have smelled ammonia in the past?
Various cleaning products.
12. What information, other than the number of moles of magnesium, was necessary
to calculate the stoichiometric ratio between the magnesium oxygen in the
magnesium oxide?
The number of moles of oxygen from the increased mass of the sample.
13. Why did you have to add water and reheat the sample?
Water is a catalyst or the reaction.
14. Consider an experiment where we obtain Mg1.5O1 as the empirical formula. Which
of the following can be the reason for this kind of error?
There was unreacted metal left at the end of the experiment, there was unreacted
Mg3N2 at the end of the experiment, and/or some of the sample stuck on the paper
clip for mixing.
15. Why may unreacted magnesium remain after the heating process?
The presence of nitrogen is the reason, to the extent that a byproduct Mg 3N2
forms.
5. Discussion

Determining the Empirical Formula of a Compound Lab Report

Our beginning question was: How does the mass of each element in a compound
affect the molecules empirical formula? The data did provide the results we expected
and did answer our questions. I now know that it is important to follow directions very
precisely.
Several factors have contributed to yielding inaccurate results from our
experiment. Several times, magnesium powder and magnesium oxide was spilled due to
carelessness and more than three drops of deionized water were added because it was
deemed that no reaction was occurring and three drops were not enough. In addition, the
lid was left open for too long when heating, allowing more than the recommended
amount of oxygen to react with the magnesium powder. Most of the mistakes made can
be classified as systematic, meaning we had problems in our procedure and can be
duplicated.
Overall, our experimental method was slightly disorganized and hectic. Several
times during the experiment we misplaced our papers and spilled magnesium powder. In
addition, the experiment was a lengthy one, and as a result, had to be rushed. We did not
fit in as many trials as were recommended a systematic error- and procedures were not
followed accurately as a result of the scramble to finish on time.
6. Conclusion
Looking at the experiment holistically, I believe it has been a very useful earning
experience. We have learned to budget our time and also grasped the importance of
following directions accurately, lest the results turn out differently than intended. In
addition, just because it looks like no reaction is taking place does not necessarily mean

Determining the Empirical Formula of a Compound Lab Report

that there is none. Organization is also very important, making sure to firmly grasp the
concept and goals of the lab before actually attempting it.