This experiment involves the decomposition of copper carbonate whereby we want to find out whether CuO(3/4) or Cu20(s) is formed upon the decomposition of copper carbonate when heated. I intend to use mole equations

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AS – Assessed Practical 1

Which Equation is Correct?

Task: This experiment involves the decomposition of copper carbonate whereby we want to find out whether CuO(ѕ) or Cu20(s) is formed upon the decomposition of copper carbonate when heated. I intend to use mole equations to find the volume of gas produced in both equations in order to solve the problem set.

Equation 1 – 2CuCO3(s)                                                   Cu2O(s)  +  2CO2(g)  +  ½O2

Equation 2 – CuCO3(s)                                                     CuO(s)  +  CO2(g)

By using the formula for moles and the volume of gas, I am able to predict the volume of gas produced before I have actually implemented the experiment.

Equipment and Reagents

  • Tripod and Mat
  • Bunsen Burner and Rubber Bung
  • Boss and Clamp Stand
  • 100ml Conical Flask
  • 100cm³ Graduated Gas Syringe
  • Weighing Scale (±0.01g)
  • ?g of copper carbonate ( The mass will be decided later on because we are limited to 100cm³ volume of gas in the syringe.

Background Information

Copper carbonate is a green solid when reacted. Once it decomposes upon heating a colour change from green to black will occur.

Amedeo Avagadro worked out that 1 mole of a substance is the amount of substance which contains as many elementary entities (atoms, molecules, electrons or ions) as there are in exactly 12.000g of Carbon-12. This is 6.02 x 10²³. Since the atomic mass in grams of all elements contains

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6.02 x 10²³ atoms, we refer to 6.02 x 10²³ atoms of an element as 1 mole.

  • I will calculate a suitable mass that should be used by using the mole equations (see later on).
  • This suitable mass should not produce more than 100cm³ volume of gas.
  • This can then be decomposed by the heat from the Bunsen burner.
  • We will continuously heat the copper carbonate until no more gas is produced. Once no more gas is produced I will know that all the CuCo3 has decomposed.
  • Once there is no more gas entering the syringe and ...

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