Copper Cycle Lab Report

Words: 1177
Pages: 5

Title- The Copper Cycle: The Role of Observations in the Scientific Method
Author Information- Experiment 3, CHEM 111-457, Javier Lopez* and Mark Dailey
Introduction- Due to Copper being in great abundance, it has become a significant resource in biological, environmental and economic industries. This need for copper has led to a severe problem to the environment, that is copper pollution. Copper pollution can affect not only the environment now, but in the future causing plants and eventually humans to become sick or unhealthy. The purpose of the experiment, was to identify the properties and forms of copper that reacted in different chemical environments, so that the data retrieved can explain the problems and bring solutions for dealing
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This was a redox reaction where Cu(s) + 4HNO3(aq)  Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2NO2(g) + 2H2O(l) due to Cu going from 0 to +2 and N going from +5 to +4. What was observed was the copper dissolving into the solution that was turning blue and releasing a red-brown gas. In the second reaction, the addition of sodium hydroxide converted the copper bitrate to copper hydroxide: Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2NaOH(aq)  Cu(OH)2(s) + 2NaNO3(aq). From this metathesis or double replacement reaction, the solution gradually produced a solid that gave off heat and changed in color from transparent blue to opaque green to opaque blue. In step three of the cycle, the heat catalyzed the decomposition reaction of Cu(OH)2(s)  CuO(s) + H2O(l); the copper hydroxide converted to copper oxide and water. When heat was added, the solution turned black quite rapidly. As the solution cooled the black precipitate settled toward the bottom of the beaker and the remaining water resided on top. In the fourth step, adding sulfuric acid transformed the copper oxide to copper sulfate and water as shown: CuO(s) + H2SO4(aq)  CuSO4(aq) + H2O(l). In this metathesis reaction, the black solution turned back into a transparent blue substance and the precipitate disappeared. Finally, in the last reaction .2989 grams of zinc were added to the copper sulfate to form copper and zinc sulfate shown by the …show more content…
In this experiment, according to the results analyzed, it was unsuccessful in that the data did not support or replicate the conservation of mass theory. However, this experiment was successful in that what was gained was the learning of how to determine reaction types from observational data, write our chemical equations for these reactions, calculate percent yield, and gain experience in handling solutions and