Investigating the reaction that takes place during the thermal decomposition of copper carbonate.

Authors Avatar

Investigating the reaction that takes place during the thermal decomposition of copper carbonate.

In this investigation I have been given the following equations for the thermal decomposition of copper carbonate:

        1.        2CuCO                Cu  O  +  2CO   +     O

                    (s)                    (s)           (g)             (g)

        2.        CuCO                   CuO  +  CO

                    (s)                             (s)            (g)

The aim of the investigation is to find out which reaction actually takes place during the thermal decomposition of copper carbonate, and which is false.

Each reaction has different products, and by studying these products, specifically the gas produced, I will be able to find out which reaction has taken place. The two reactions produce different volumes of gas in a ration 1.25:1. Therefore, by working out what volume of gas would be produced in each reaction, by the decomposition of a certain amount of copper carbonate, when the experiment is carried out I will be able to see which reaction has taken place by measuring the volume of gas produced.

In order to produce an accurately measurable volume of gas I plan to heat 1.5 grams of copper carbonate. If reaction 1 takes place, the thermal decomposition of 1.5 grams of copper carbonate will produce 364.56 dm  of gas. But, if reaction 2 takes place, 291.6 dm  of gas will be produced.

When heated, all of the less reactive metal carbonates, such as aluminium, zinc, iron and lead break down to give metal oxide and carbon dioxide, not metal oxide, carbon dioxide and oxygen as is suggested in equation 1. This pattern suggests that equation 2 is infact the correct equation, which is what I expect the experiment will prove. I also know that most metal oxides exist with the molecular formula MO (where M=metal), which leads me to think that copper oxide will be formed with the molecular formula CuO as equation 2 suggests, not Cu O.

It is crucial that this experiment is carried out as safely as is possible, therefore protective goggles and lab coats must be worn throughout, long hair must be tied back and care must be taken when handling chemicals. Every action must be carried out with great care to avoid accidents or injury, for example, when using the bunsen burner to heat the copper carbonate.

Apparatus:

-scales                                                  

Join now!

-spatula

-glass beaker                                                

-bung (with hole through it)        

-rubber tubing (approximately 60cm)

-large, clear, flat bowl                        

-500cm  measuring cylinder

(I intend to use a 500cm  measuring cylinder as it is the largest available, therefore the margin for fault is less than if I used, for example, a 100cm  measuring cylinder.)

-cling film

-bunsen burner                                        

-tripod                                                        

-tap water

-1.5 grams of copper carbonate

Diagram of apparatus set up:

It is very important that there aren’t any chemicals left from other experiments on the equipment as they may affect the results, so ...

This is a preview of the whole essay