Fun with Chemical Reactions

MTHS Chemistry

Background Information:
There are five types of chemical reactions.
Synthesis, two or more elements come together to form a single compound. The pattern for
synthesis is A + B → AB.
Decomposition, a compound breaks apart into two or more elements or less complex
compounds. The pattern for decomposition is AB → A + B.
Single replacement, a single element replaces another element in a compound. The pattern for
single replacement is A + BC → AC + B. Metals replace metals and non-metals replace non-
metals.
Double replacement, ions in a compound switch places with ions in another compound to make
two new compounds. The pattern for double replacement is AB + CD → AD + CB.
Combustion, where an organic compound is burned with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and
water. The pattern for combustion is CXHY + O2 →CO2 + H2O.

Hypothesis: If the reactants in the chemical reactions are known, then the products can be
predicted because the pattern for chemical reactions is followed.

Activity 1: “The Sparkler”

Materials:
• Safety goggles
• Magnesium metal
• Bunsen burner
• Match or lighter
• Tongs
Procedure:
1. Put on safety goggles.
2. Record observations of the magnesium metal.
3. Make sure the Bunsen burner is lit.
4. Hold the magnesium with the tongs in the Bunsen burner.
5. Place the magnesium in the flame – do not look at the magnesium directly. Record your
observations.
6. Record observations of the burned magnesium.
7. Clean up.

Data: (Observations)
Before: Shiny, thin metal, long, silver

During: Very bright orange, turned into hard white, had bumps, shined like star.

After: became flimsy, disintegrated, white with black, looks like coal.

Analysis: What type of reaction AND why

It was synthesis because it combined with oxygen and became magnesium oxide.

Mg+ O2  MgO

What is the balanced chemical equation for this activity?

Balanced: 2MgO
Activity 2: “Spy Writing”

Materials:
• Safety goggles
• Q-tips
• Small piece of paper
• Lead (II) nitrate solution
• Sodium iodide solution

Procedure:
1. Put on safety goggles.
2. Dip one end of q-tip into lead (II) nitrate.
3. Draw with wet q-tip on paper. Let paper dry.
4. Mist the paper with sodium iodide.
5. Record observations
6. Dispose of materials
7. Wash hands

Data: (Observations)
Before: Clear liquid, looks like water,

During: Turned Greenish yellowish

 After: We have the final drawing exposed because of the NaI

Analysis: What type of reaction AND why

It was double replacement because AB+CD at the end is AD+BC.

What is the balanced chemical equation for this activity?

Pb(No3)2 +NaI PbI2 +NaNO3
Balanced Equation: Pb(NO3)2 + 2Nal PbI2 +2NaNO3

Acyivity3: “Fire Extinguisher”

Materials:
• Safety goggles
• Sodium bicarbonate
• Scoopula
• Test tube
• Test tube rack
• Splint
• Bunsen burner
• Pipette
• 3M HCl

Procedure:
1. Put on safety goggles.
2. Put two scoops of sodium bicarbonate in a test tube.
3. Light a splint in the Bunsen burner.
4. Using a pipette, cover the sodium bicarbonate with about 2 mL HCl.
5. Put the lit splint just inside of the test tube.
6. Observe.
7. Clean up.

Data: (Obserations)
Before: powered and HCI sitting in the same solution

During: Fire extinguished every time entered into the tube

After: Fire turns off due to gas being released by the HCI

Analysis: What type of reaction AND why

The reaction was decomposition because of the breaking down of the Sodium Bicarbonate.

What is the balanced chemical equation for this activity?

NaHCO3+HCI  C02 +NaCI+ H2O
Balanced equation: NaHCO3+HCI  C02 +NaCI+ H2O

Activity 4 “Hear It Pop”

Materials:
• Safety goggles
• Zinc
• Test tube
• Test tube rack
• Pipette
• 3 M HCl
• Test tube stopper
• Scoopula
Procedure:
1. Put on safety goggles.
2. Place 1 scoop of zinc in a test tube using a scoopula.
3. Using a pipette, cover the zinc with about 2 mL HCl. Cover the test tube.
4. Light a splint.
5. Remove the stopper and put the splint just inside of the test tube.
6. Observe.
7. Clean-up.

Data: (Observations)
Before: Bubbly, looks gaseous,

During: When fire was near it made a “POP” sound.

After: The gas is evaporating and didn’t make a POP sounds twice.

Analysis: What type of reaction AND why

It was single replacement because the calcium replaced the chlorine. This replacement caused
hydrogen gas to be created which is an explosive gas that made the POP sound because it was
exposed to fire during the experiment. Meaning calcium had to be replaced with hydrogen
leaving us with a hydrogen gas. Thus creating a POP sound (hydrogen gas is explosive) and
proving this single replacement.

What is the balanced chemical equation for this activity?

Ca+HCI  H2 +CaCi2
Balanced chemical equation: Ca +2HCI  H2 +CaCi2