Identifying Unknowns – Laboratory Worksheet

Name

Objective: In this activity, you will perform a virtual investigation to determine whether two unknown compounds are an
ionic or a covalent compound.

Pre-Lab Questions
1. Describe how an ionic bond forms between sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) to make sodium chloride, NaCl.
2. Sugar is a covalent compound. How is a covalent bond different than an ionic bond?
3. Complete the table below. List the properties of ionic and covalent compounds.

Property

Compound Type Boiling Point Melting Point Solubility Conductivity

Ionic
Covalent

Hypothesis and Variables

4. Predict the rate of dissolving for the types of compounds. Record your hypothesis for how you think an ionic and a
covalent compound will behave in solution. You may write it as an “if, then” statement.

Ionic Compound:

Covalent Compound:

5. Record your hypothesis as an “if, then” statement for the boiling point of the compounds:

Ionic Compound:

Covalent Compound:

6. List the variables of the experiment.

Independent variable:

Dependent variable:

Controlled variables:

Materials
(Note: this is a virtual lab, no materials are needed. The items listed here are the types of items that could be used in a
similar investigation.)

 a hot plate
 a thermometer
 a scale

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trademark of Florida Virtual School.
  a measuring spoon
 water
 beakers

Procedure
Remember this is a virtual lab. You do not need to actually perform these steps, but follow along and collect the data.

1. Measure out 100 mL of water into three beakers and label them A, B, and C. Beaker C will be the control.
2. Then measure 50 grams of unknown compound A into beaker A and stir for one minute. Measure the amount of
undissolved solute and record this in Table 1.
3. Then measure 50 grams of unknown compound B into beaker B and stir for one minute. Measure the amount of
undissolved solute and record this in Table 1.
4. Next, we will test the boiling point of each solution. Place each beaker onto a hot plate.
5. When the solution boils, use a thermometer to record the temperature. Record the boiling point for each
solution in Table 2.

Data
Record the amount of solute left after one minute of stirring.

Beaker Amount of Solute at Start (g) Amount of Solute at End (g)

Solution with Compound A 50
Solution with Compound B 50
Plain water in Beaker C 0 (control group)

Data Table 2

Record the boiling point for each solution.

Beaker Temperature at Start (ºC) Temperature at Boiling Point (ºC)

Solution with Compound A 23
Solution with Compound B 23
Plain water in Beaker C 23

Analysis and Conclusions

1. Which compound dissolved more easily?

2. Which compound had the higher boiling point?

3. Consider your answers to 1 and 2. What does the boiling point and ability to dissolve tell you about the strength of the
bonds in the compound?

4. Which compound is the salt? State all the evidence that supports your claim.

5. Which compound is the sugar? State all the evidence that supports your claim.

Unless Otherwise Noted All Content © 2022 Florida Virtual School. FlexPoint Education Cloud™ is a
trademark of Florida Virtual School.