SURVEY OF CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I

CHEM 1151L
EMPIRICAL FORMULA OF ZINC CHLORIDE

CAUTION!!!
BE SURE TO WEAR SAFETY GLASSES AT
ALL
TIMES IN THE LABORATORY
NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!

EMPIRICAL FORMULA
OF ZINC CHLORIDE
Students will determine
- the empirical formula of zinc chloride by
a process known as synthesis
- the empirical formula from their data
- the empirical formula from the class average
It is best to perform several experiments and obtain average
values for the result

EMPIRICAL FORMULA
- The lowest whole number ratio of atoms present in a compound
- the lowest whole number ratio of moles of atoms in a compound
For example
- The molecular formula of glucose is C6H12O6
- The empirical formula is CH2O

EMPIRICAL FORMULA
Can be determined by the following methods
Analysis
- A compound is broken down into its element
- The mount of each element present is accurately determined
Synthesis
- Prepared from accurately measured amounts of each of its
elements

EMPIRICAL FORMULA
- Determine the mass of each element found in the formula
(may be grams or percentage composition by mass)
- Convert each mass to moles using the atomic masses of the
appropriate elements
- Divide each mole amount by the smallest number of moles
- Round each mole ratio to the nearest integer
- Write the whole numbers as subscripts in the formula

EMPIRICAL FORMULA
Determine the empirical formula of a compound whose composition is
determined to be 74.83% carbon and 25.17% hydrogen
Assume 100.0 g sample
% of each element equals grams

74.83 g
6.231 mol
12.01 g/mol

25.17 g
24.97 mol
1.01 g/mol

6.231 mol
1.000
6.231 mol

24.97 mol
4.007
6.231 mol

1.000 1

4.007 4
Empirical Formula: CH4

ZINC METAL

- Mass about 1 gram of zinc

metal
- Record this mass

EVAPORATING DISH

- Mass a clean, dry evaporating

dish
- Record this mass

HYCHLORIC ACID

- Use the automatic dispensing bottle

- Dispense 10 mL of 12 M
hydrochloric acid (HCl) directly
into the evaporating dish

HYCHLORIC ACID + ZINC METAL

- Carefully add the zinc to the dish

containing the HCl
- Must be done in the hood
- Allow all of the zinc to dissolve

EVAPORATE LIQUID
- Gently warm solution on a
hotplate
- Must be done in the hood
- Avoid spattering
- A white powdery substance (zinc
chloride) will form

COOL AND MASS PRODUCT

- Avoid melting of zinc chloride

- Take the dish off the hotplate
when content is dried enough
- Allow the dish to cool

COOL AND MASS PRODUCT

- Mass the dish and the zinc chloride

- Record the mass

CALCULATIONS
- Complete your calculations on the data sheet
- Report the percent by mass of each element to the instructor
before leaving the lab
- The class average is needed to complete the lab report