Introduction
The contamination of large bodies of water is becoming a greater problem across the world due to our rapidly increasing population. People commonly pollute these areas with their release of waste products and trash, and these contaminants can spread from small streams or lakes to oceans and complete ecosystems. The pollutants that are released into the water sources are often inorganic substances, and the dissolved forms of these compounds can become ionic cations and anions. An increase in specific cations, like the positive ion H+ can be especially detrimental to bodies of water due to it’s a contribution towards ocean acidification. These acidic waters are then characterized by low alkalinity, conductivity and ionic content …show more content…
To begin, a 250 mL beaker was weighed on a scale. About 0.5 total grams of unknown were given by the instructor, and after measuring the mass of the beaker, approximately 0.1 grams of the unknown substance was added to it. To set up the first test, the water solubility test, a 10 mL graduated cylinder was filled with approximately 10.0 mL of water. The solubility of the unknown compound was then tested by adding the water into the beaker, and stirring with a stirring rod to see if the substance dissolved. It was found that the compound was soluble in water, and after these observations were recorded, the conductivity of the solution was tested. The solution was transferred into a test tube to ensure that both parts of the conductivity meter were submersed in the solution in order to provide an accurate reading of conductivity. For the next test, the pH was determined with the use of a pH strip. The color change of the strip was used to find the corresponding numerical pH value. When the pH strip turns red, the solution is acidic; when the pH turns blue, the solution is basic. If the pH strip does not change color the solution can be said to be close to neutral. The unknown solution did not make the pH strip change color, indicating that it was a neutral pH value, close to 7. Using the same unknown solution, the flame test was then completed by first rinsing a wire loop in hydrochloric acid to clean it. The wire loop was then placed into the unknown solution, and held it over the flame of the Bunsen burner. The flame turned a bright orange, and the color change of the flame was recorded before rinsing it again with acid. To further identify the unknown compound, an additional solubility test was performed using acetone as the solvent. After weighing another 250 mL beaker and 0.1 grams of unknown solid, approximately 10.0 mL of acetone was added. The compound was found
The contamination of large bodies of water is becoming a greater problem across the world due to our rapidly increasing population. People commonly pollute these areas with their release of waste products and trash, and these contaminants can spread from small streams or lakes to oceans and complete ecosystems. The pollutants that are released into the water sources are often inorganic substances, and the dissolved forms of these compounds can become ionic cations and anions. An increase in specific cations, like the positive ion H+ can be especially detrimental to bodies of water due to it’s a contribution towards ocean acidification. These acidic waters are then characterized by low alkalinity, conductivity and ionic content …show more content…
To begin, a 250 mL beaker was weighed on a scale. About 0.5 total grams of unknown were given by the instructor, and after measuring the mass of the beaker, approximately 0.1 grams of the unknown substance was added to it. To set up the first test, the water solubility test, a 10 mL graduated cylinder was filled with approximately 10.0 mL of water. The solubility of the unknown compound was then tested by adding the water into the beaker, and stirring with a stirring rod to see if the substance dissolved. It was found that the compound was soluble in water, and after these observations were recorded, the conductivity of the solution was tested. The solution was transferred into a test tube to ensure that both parts of the conductivity meter were submersed in the solution in order to provide an accurate reading of conductivity. For the next test, the pH was determined with the use of a pH strip. The color change of the strip was used to find the corresponding numerical pH value. When the pH strip turns red, the solution is acidic; when the pH turns blue, the solution is basic. If the pH strip does not change color the solution can be said to be close to neutral. The unknown solution did not make the pH strip change color, indicating that it was a neutral pH value, close to 7. Using the same unknown solution, the flame test was then completed by first rinsing a wire loop in hydrochloric acid to clean it. The wire loop was then placed into the unknown solution, and held it over the flame of the Bunsen burner. The flame turned a bright orange, and the color change of the flame was recorded before rinsing it again with acid. To further identify the unknown compound, an additional solubility test was performed using acetone as the solvent. After weighing another 250 mL beaker and 0.1 grams of unknown solid, approximately 10.0 mL of acetone was added. The compound was found