Making Salts GCSE Chemistry Practical

Method

Preparation and Initial Setup

1. Gather Equipment
• Collect the required laboratory equipment, including a Bunsen burner, heatproof mat, tripod, gauze, 100ml beaker, tongs, glass rod, filter funnel, filter paper, 250ml conical flask, evaporating basin, and a 250ml beaker for the water bath.
2. Set Up Heating Apparatus
• Place the Bunsen burner on the heatproof mat. Set up the tripod and gauze above the Bunsen burner.

Preparing the Solution

1. Heat the Acid
• Carefully measure 40ml of Sulfuric Acid and pour it into the 100ml beaker.
• Heat the acid gently over the Bunsen burner until it is almost boiling.
• Turn off the Bunsen burner once the acid is heated.
2. Add Copper (II) Oxide
• Using tongs, carefully remove the beaker from the tripod and place it on the heatproof mat.
• Add a small amount of Copper (II) Oxide powder to the heated acid.
• Stir the solution with a glass rod until the powder dissolves and the solution turns blue.
3. Repeat Copper (II) Oxide Addition
• Continue adding small amounts of Copper (II) Oxide, stirring each time, until some powder remains undissolved in the solution. This indicates that the acid is fully reacted.
4. Cool the Solution
• Allow the solution to cool completely before proceeding to the next step.

Filtering and Crystallisation

1. Filter the Solution
• Set up a filter funnel with filter paper and place it in a 250ml conical flask.
• Carefully pour the cooled solution through the filter paper to remove excess Copper (II) Oxide powder.
2. Prepare for Crystallisation
• Transfer the filtered solution into an evaporating basin.
• Create a water bath by filling a 250ml beaker with water and heating it over the Bunsen burner.
• Place the evaporating basin on top of the water bath.
3. Begin Evaporation
• Heat the water bath gently until crystals begin to form in the evaporating basin.
• Turn off the Bunsen burner once crystallisation starts.
4. Allow Crystals to Form
• Place the evaporating basin in a safe location where it will not be disturbed.
• Leave it undisturbed for at least 24 hours to allow the crystals to fully form.
5. Collect and Dry Crystals
• After 24 hours, use a spatula to remove the crystals from the remaining solution.
• Gently pat the crystals dry with a paper towel or filter paper.

Analysis

1. Write Chemical Equations
• Write both a word equation and a symbol equation for the reaction conducted.

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