Description of the experiment * Aim: To observe the reactions of sulfuric acid as an oxidising agent and as a dehydrating agent.
Equipment:
* 20mL of concentrated sulfuric acid * 20mL of 2mol/L sulfuric acid * 2 small pieces of each of copper, zinc and iron * Sandpaper * 10 test tubes * Test tube rack * 2g of sugar crystals (sucrose) * 2 wooden ice-cream sticks * 10mL measuring cylinders
Steps:
A: Sulfuric acid as an oxidising agent 1. Clean pieces of metal with sandpaper to remove oxide coating. 2. Add a piece of each metal to a separate test tube. 3. Add 5mL of concentrated sulfuric acid to each test tube. 4. Record the observations. 5. Repeat the experiment with 2mol/L sulfuric acid.
B: Sulfuric acid as dehydrating agent 1. Place 1g of sugar (sucrose) and a wooden ice-cream stick into separate test tube. 2. Add 1-2mL of concentrated sulfuric acid to each test tube. 3. Record the observations. 4. Repeat the experiment with 2mol/L sulfuric acid
Risk assessment * Conc. sulfuric acid is highly corrosive * If conc. Sulfuric acid is spilt, do not add water * Hydrogen sulfide gas
Results | Observations | | Conc. Sulfuric acid | 2 mol/L sulfuric acid | Copper | No observable change | No observable change | Zinc | No observable change | No observable change | Iron | * Exothermic reaction * Bubbling gas | No observable change | Sugar | * Exothermic reaction * Black solid is produced and pushed out from the test tube * Gas with rotten egg smell is released | No observable change | Wood | * Black layer is formed on the wood | No observable change |
Validity and reliability * Experiment was not repeated * Low reliability * Results not consistent with the known theory * Invalid * Require to eliminate experimental errors
Analysis of the results
HSC syllabus
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