Decomposing Calcium Carbonate and Producing Carbon Dioxide

Decomposing Calcium Carbonate and Producing Carbon Dioxide

Purpose

The purpose of this lab is to predict the contents of a solution based on the color produced when burned.

Theory

The theory of this experiment is that electrons in different solutions reach different levels of excitation when burned. When they reach that level of excitation, a photon of light is produced that depends on the gap between the excited state and the ground level, allowing the solution to be predicted based on the color produced.

Hypothesis

If the lab procedure is followed correctly, then the color of each of the solutions when burned in the known group will match up with one of the solutions burned in the unknown group.

Materials

Test tubes, test tube rack, Bunsen burner, known chloride solutions, unknown chloride solutions, 1M HCl, wire loop, flame igniter.

Procedure

First, label all test tubes with the known chloride solutions, the letters pertaining to the unknown solutions, the water rinse, and the 1M HCl. Collect a few drops of each known and unknown chloride solution in its corresponding test tube, and fill the water rinse and 1M HCl tubes about half way. Rinse the wire loop in the HCl, then the water, and then put in it the flame until it burns red hot. Do a flame test with one of the solutions by dipping the loop in the solution to get a film of solution in the loop, and then putting it in the flame. Watch to see what color flame is produced. Clean the loop by swirling in 1M HCl, then water, and burning red hot again. Repeat this process for all chloride solutions. Clean up, and dispose of hazardous waste properly.

Data

Table 1: Results for Known’s

Known Solution Metal Ion Flame Color Aproximate Wavelength (nm)

Barium Chloride Ba Orange 620

Calcium Chloride Ca Red/Orange 640

Copper Chloride Cu Blue/Green 480

Lithium Chloride Li Red 660

Potassium Chloride K Violet 420

Sodium Chloride Na Orange/Red 630

Strontium Chloride Sr Red 660

Table 2: Results for...