Part 1.

Trace Metals

Table of Observations
Metal HNO3 NaOH Confirmatory Tests Magnetic Density
Iron No Reaction The base added After diluting the acid Yes Does not float
turned to the color of solution, and upon
rust adding a drop of
potassium
thiocyanate, the
solution showed a
brown-red color
Magnesium No Reaction The base added The physical No Does not float
tuned green and the characteristic of the
metal became darker metal was the closest
similar to Magnesium
compared to the rest
Zinc The acid added No Reaction Upon adding a few No Does not float
became cloudy drops of sodium
sulfide, it became
yellow
Aluminum No Reaction The color of the The physical No Does not float
metal change into a characteristic of the
shade of black metal was the closest
similar to Aluminum
compared to the rest
Copper The color of the acid The color of the base Upon adding Yes The smaller metal
added turned yellow, added turned to the Ammonium hydroxide particles placed in
the smaller metal color of rust and the solution, a blue NHO3 floated
particles floated metal turned darker precipitate was
formed
Lead The acid added The color of the Upon adding twice an No Does not float
became cloudy, metal became darker equal amount of
while the color of the Acetic Acid to the
metal became lighter metal placed in
HNO3 solution, it
became black.

Table 1. The reaction of the metals to the acid, base, and solutions used for the confirmatory test.
 Table of Observation
Powder Soluble Iodine Test Phenolphthalein Acetic Acid NaOH
Test
Sucrose (Sugar) Yes --- No Reaction --- The sample
turned violet
Magnesium Yes --- No Reaction --- The sample
Sulfate (MgSO4) becomes cloudy
Sodium Yes --- The mixture Fewer bubbles ---
Hydroxide turned pink was produced
(NaOH)
Starch No The test tube --- --- ---
(Cornstarch) formed a deep-
blue starch-
iodine complex
Sodium Yes --- No Reaction --- The sample
Bicarbonate turned violet
(NaHCO3)
Sodium Yes --- The mixture Bubbles was ---
Carbonate turned pink produced
(Na2CO3)
Boric Acid Yes --- No Reaction --- The sample
(H3BO3) turned violet
Calcium Sulfate No No Reaction --- No Reaction ---
(CaSO4)
Calcium No No Reaction --- Bubbles was ---
Carbonate Produced
(CaCO3)
TITLE
Identification of metals and powders

OBJECTIVES

This laboratory experiment aims to determine the identity of the unknown metals and powders by seeing how they
respond to different chemicals and solutions. In doing so, it aims to demonstrate the various principles of forensic science and
how it can be beneficial in the identification of the unknown.

INTRODUCTION
Every individual, natural or manmade, has a distinct quality or characteristic which is not duplicated in any other
form (Concept and Principles of Forensic Science, n.d.) The same exists in metals and other powders. No metal will exhibit the
same characteristics of another metal, each is unique and possesses distinctive properties, the same applies to different
powders. Even exposed to similar conditions, placed on similar chemicals and solutions, it will react differently from one
another.
In this laboratory experiment, there are unknown metals and powders left for the students to identify by their reaction
to different processes involving its interaction with chemicals and solutions, such as acids and bases. In connection with the
principle of individuality, the students should be able to determine the identity of the items through the aforementioned
method, since such reaction would be exclusive only to the metal or powders.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The materials needed to conduct the Laboratory Experiment are as follows:
For the identification of Metals (Part 1):
12 test tubes
1 test tube rack
1 beaker
1 Stirring Rod
1 Magnet
Magnifying Glass
1 Spatula
Distilled Water
6 unknown metal samples
Sodium Hydroxide
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Hydroxide Solution
Sodium Sulfide
Potassium thiocyanate solution
Acetic acid
For the identification of Powders (Part 2)
12 test tubes
1 test tube rack
1 beaker
1 Stirring Rod
1 Spatula
9 unknown white powders
Acetic Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
Phenolphthalein
Acetic Acid
Iodine Solution
Distilled Water
Isopropyl alcohol
METHODOLOGY

The steps followed by the students in conducting the experiment are as follows:

For the Identification of the Unknown Metals:

1. 12 test tubes were placed in the test tube rack, 6 on the first row and another 6 on the second row. Using the spatula, the 6
unknown metals were added into the test tubes, with one metal designated to a single test tube on the first and second row.
2. Magnets were placed on side of the test tube containing the samples to determine if it is magnetic or not.
3. A 1mL of NHO3 was then added to each of the test tubes on the first row. The metals were submerged to the acid for a period of
5 minutes. The reaction of the metal to the acid were observed and noted.
4. A 1mL of NaOH was then added to each of the test tubes on the second row. The metals were submerged to the base for a
period of 5 minutes. The reaction of the metal to the base were observed and noted.
5. For the confirmatory test, a drop of ammonium hydroxide solution was added to the second row to confirm the presence of
copper.
6. A few drops of sodium sulfide were then added to the first row to test for zinc
7. To determine which of the unknown metal is iron, water was first added to the first row to dilute the solution, and then a drop of
potassium thiocyanate solution was added
8. Acetic acid was then added to the first row to confirm which metal is lead.
9. For the metals which have not been identified, the students used the magnifying glass to asses which of the metal are similar in
terms of physical characteristic to determine the identity of the metal
10. After the experiment, the samples in the test tubes was disposed into a beaker with distilled water.

For the Identification of the Unknown White Powders

1. 9 Test tubes placed on the test tube rack was added a pea-size amount of the unknown white powder using the spatula.
2. The test tube was then filled with water half way, and then stirred to determine its solubility.
3. Three of the samples are not able to dissolve, showing a cloudy appearance which indicate the presence of starch. A drop of
iodine solution was added to the insoluble powders to determine which among the three is starch. For the remaining two
insoluble powders, acetic acid was added to identify which is CaSO4 and CaCO3.
4. Phenolphthalein was then added to the remaining test tubes to determine NaOH and Na2CO3, after two of the samples reacted,
acetic acid was added identify which of the two samples are NaOH and Na2CO3
5. 1mL of NaOH was added to the 4 unknown powder left to identify MgSO4. To this point, the students have already identified five
of the unknown powders.
6. New samples of the remaining powders were placed on test tubes, then acetic acid was added to test for NaHCO3.
 7. Isopropyl alcohol was added to the two unknown powder left to identify which is H3BO3. The last unknown powder is deducted
to be the sucrose. The contents of the test tubes was then disposed to the beaker containing distilled waterd

RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS

CONCLUSION

The identity of the unknown metals in Part 1: Trace Metals was revealed due to its reaction to the acids, bases, and other
solutions. Each of the metal reacted differently to the presence of added chemicals, thus further confirming the principle of individuality
– that substances have their own properties unique to one another. The metal Iron was confirmed through its reaction to the potassium
thiocyanate, which caused the solution to change into a brown- red color. Although potassium thiocyanate was added to all of the test
tube, only the one containing Iron reacted to it, meaning that its properties differs from the rest.

The remaining metals behaved in a similar manner, only reacting to certain solutions. The test tube with Zinc turned yellow upon
adding sulfur sulfide, copper turned blue upon adding ammonium hydroxide solution, and lead turned to black after adding acetic acid.
No chemical reaction was repeated even though all were tested similarly, which proves the principle of individuality.

The same conclusion is applied for the test for powders, the nine powder was identified by the student’s observation on its
reaction with the iodine test, phenolphthalein test, and the NaOH test. The starch solution becomes blue in the iodine test, Calcium
Carbonate produced bubbles upon the addition of acetic acid, while Calcium Sulfate did not react.

Sucrose, Magnesium sulfate, Boric Acid, and Sodium Bicarbonate did not react to the phenolphthalein, only sodium carbonate
and sodium hydroxide turned pink, and formed bubbles upon adding acetic acid

Sucrose, Sodium bicarbonate, and boric Acid turned violet when added NaOH, and only magnesium sulfate became cloudy

The different reactions to different chemicals proves that each of the powders possesses different characteristic among the rest.
Therefore proving that no material is the same with another.

REFERENCES:
Concept and principles of forensic science. (n.d.). https://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-2974-concept-and-principles-of-forensic-

science.html#:~:text=Law%20of%20individuality%3A%20Every%20individual,judgemental%20role%20in%20forensic%20science.

Concept and principles of forensic science. (n.d.-b). https://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-2974-concept-and-principles-of-forensic-

science.html