Practical Investigation: Finding the concentration of Copper (II) sulfate solution

using serial dilution

In this investigation, you will produce a range of dilutions of copper (II) sulfate to estimate the concentration of an unknown so-
lution of copper (II) sulfate an to calculate the concentrations of the dilutions using the the formula:

YOU WILL NEED

Equipment:

• nine test tubes

• test-tube rack

• Pipettes, 1 cm3 and 10 cm3, and pipette fillers

• 50 cm3 of copper (II) sulfate solution, 2 moldm3

• 20 cm3 of copper (II) sulfate solution, unknown

• 100 cm3 of distilled water

Safety considerations
• Make sure you have read the Safety advice section at the beginning of the practical and listen to any advice from your
teacher before carrying ou this investigation.

• If you splash your skin, wash with water.

Method
 Label the test tubes 1-7.

 Using a pipette, place 10 cm3 of 2 moldm3 copper (II) sulfate solution into tube 1. Record the initial concentration in the
results table.

 Remove 1 cm3 of this solution from tube 1 and place into tube 2. Record this volume as initial volume in the table.

 Add 9 cm3 distilled water to tube 2 and mix. Record the final volume of the dilution in the results table. Calculate the final
concentration and record your results. Use the result as the next tube’s initial concentration.

 Remove 1 cm3 of the copper (II) sulfate solution from tube 2 and place into tube 3. Record this volume as initial volume for
tube 2.

 All 9 cm3 distilled water into tube 3 and mix. This is now diluted to 0.02 moldm 3 copper (II) sulfate. Record the final volume
of the dilution in the results table. Calculate the final concentration and record your results. Use the result as the next
tube’s initial concentration.

 Remove 1 cm3 of copper (II) sulfate from tube 3 and place into tube 4. Record this volume as initial volume for tube 3.

 Add 9 cm3 distilled water to tube 4 and mix. This is now diluted 0.002 moldm3 copper (II) sulfate. Record the final volume of
the dilution in the results table. Calculate the final concentration and record your results. Use the result as the next tube’s
initial concentration.

 Remove 1 cm3 of copper (II) sulfate from tube 4 and place into tube 5. Record this volume as initial volume for tube 4.

 Add 9 cm3 distilled water to tube 5 and mix. This is now diluted 0.0002 moldm3 copper (II) sulfate. Record the final volume
of the dilution in the results table. Calculate the final concentration and record your results. Use the result as the next
 tube’s initial concentration.

 Remove 1 cm3 of copper (II) sulfate from tube 5 and place into tube 6. Record this volume as initial volume for tube 5.

 Place 9 cm3 distilled water into tube 6. Record the final volume of the dilution in the results table. Calculate the final concentra-
tion and record your results. Use the result as the next tube’s initial concentration.

 Remove 1 cm3 of 0.0002 moldm3 copper (II) sulfate from tube 6 and throw away.

stock tube 1 tube 2 tube 3 tube 4

14. Record the colours of the test tube by colouring the test tubes in figure 2.3 in the Results section below on the appropriate concen-
trations.

15. Compare the colour of the ‘unknown’ solution with the colours of the known standards. Identify the concentration of the standards
which have the most similar colour. If the colour is not exactly the same as the standard, look at the colours of the solutions with higher
and lower concentrations. This can help you suggest a range within which the concentration lies.

RESULTS
Table 1. The final concentrations of each test tube.

Test tube Initial concentration/ moldm3 Initial volume/ cm3 Final volume/ cm3 Final concentration/ moldm3

6
Analysis, conclusion, evaluation
a. The concentration of copper (II) sulfate in the ‘unknown’ solution is approximately ________________________moldm3.

b. How certain can we be about the exact concentration of copper (II) sulfate in the unknown solution?

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c. Explain the purpose of tube 6.

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