Name:__________________________________________ Date:__________________ Period:____

Lab Partner(s):_____________________________________________________________________
Lab: Limiting Reactant
Pre-lab Discussion:
As you have learned, given a balanced chemical equation and the mass of one of the
substances in the reaction, the mass of any other substance in the reaction can be calculated.
Calculations in which a known mass is used to find an unknown mass in a chemical reaction are
called mass-mass calculations.
In the experiment, a double replacement reaction will occur when a solution of lead
(II) nitrate is mixed with a solution of potassium iodide. The insoluble product will be
separated from the liquid, dried, and it’s mass determined. The value of the experimentally
measured mass of this compound will be compared to the theoretical mass of the compound
predicted by a series of mass-mass calculations.

Purpose: To compare the theoretical mass of one of the products of a double replacement
reaction to the experimentally determined mass of the same product.

Safety:
 Lead (II) nitrate, potassium iodide, and lead (II) iodide are skin, eye,
and respiratory irritants. Use caution when working with these
chemicals.
 Goggles and aprons must be worn throughout the experiment.
Wash hands when completed.

Materials:
balance wash bottle clay triangle
100 mL graduated cylinder distilled water filter paper
250 mL beakers funnel potassium iodide, KI
stirring rod ring stand lead(II) nitrate, Pb(NO3)2

Procedure:

1. Using the balance and a CLEAN 250mL beaker, measure

out approximately 3 grams of lead(II) nitrate. Record the
exact mass.
2. Using a graduated cylinder add 50 mL distilled water.
Stir thoroughly to make sure all crystals are dissolved.
Rinse off the stirring rod.
3. In another CLEAN 250mL beaker, measure out
approximately 3.5 grams of potassium iodide. Record the
exact mass.
4. Using a graduated cylinder add 50 mL distilled water.
Stir thoroughly to make sure all crystals are dissolved.
5. Pour the potassium iodide solution into the lead (II)
nitrate solution. Record your observations.
6. Find the mass of a labeled piece of filter paper. Record
the exact mass. Fold the filter paper and place it in the
funnel.
7. Pour the mixture slowly into the funnel. Do not allow the liquid to rise above the edge
of the filter paper in the funnel. (The filtrate should be clear!)

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8. Rinse the beaker with about 10 mL of water. Pour the rinse water through the filter.
Repeat the rinsings and filterings until all the precipitate is out of the beaker.
9. Wash the precipitate by pouring 10 mL of clean water through the filter.
10. Carefully remove the filter paper and precipitate from the funnel and put it on the tray
at the back of the class to dry.
11. Find the mass of the dry solid (next day) and record.

1. Fold the filter paper in half 2. Fold almost in half again 3. Count 1 from the front and open,
make sure your paper has no holes

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Name:__________________________________________ Date:__________________ Period:____
Lab Partner(s):_____________________________________________________________________
Lab: Limiting Reactant

Data:
Mass of lead (II) nitrate

Mass of potassium iodide

Mass of filter paper

Mass of filter paper + dry precipitate

Observations of reaction:

Results:

1. Write the word equation for the reaction in this experiment:

2. Write the balanced formula equation for this reaction. (Include symbols!)

3. Determine the theoretical amount of lead (II) iodide that should be produced. Show all
of your work using dimensional analysis.

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4. Find the experimental mass of lead (II) iodide produced from your experiment.

5. Calculate your percent error.

6. Calculate what your percentage yield was of lead (II) iodide.

7. Explain why your yield was not exactly 100%.

8. Devise improvements to your laboratory procedure/methods that would give you better
results if were you to do this experiment again.

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Detach this page from the lab handout and turn in to Mr./Mrs. X.

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