Introduction
In this experiment copper wire will be placed in a solution of silver nitrate. This single replacement reaction will produce a blue solution of copper II nitrate and solid silver. By weighing the reactants before the reaction, the mass of silver produced can be predicted. This theoretical yield can be compared to the actual yield of silver.
Purpose Students will compare the theoretical mass of silver with the actual mass of silver from the single replacement reaction between copper and silver nitrate.
Materials Copper wire stirring rod 18 x 150 mm test tube silver nitrate, AgNO3 50 mL graduated cylinder distilled water 100 mL or 250 mL beaker
Procedure
Day 1
1. Obtain a 30 cm length of bare copper wire, stirring rod, and 18 x 150 mm test tube. Coil the copper wire by wrapping it around a glass-stirring rod. Stretch the coiled wire until it is about 2 cm longer than the test tube. Leave wire tightly coiled near one end and stretched out and straighten toward the other. Weigh the wire and record it in the data table to the nearest 0.01 grams.
2. Using weigh paper, weigh out about 1.5 g of silver nitrate, AgNO3. Record the measurement in data table to the nearest 0.01 grams. (Caution: Be careful not to get any of the silver nitrate, solution or solid, on your skin or clothing. It will react with them.)
3. Measure about 20 mL of distilled water in a graduated cylinder and pour it into the test tube. Add the solid silver nitrate to the water in the test tube.
4. Carefully move the stirring rod up and down to dissolve the crystals and mix the solution. Take great care not to poke a hole in the bottom of the test tube with the stirring rod. Rinse the stirring rod with a small amount of distilled water into the test tube.
5. Place the coiled wire in the silver nitrate solution with the closely coiled end at the bottom of the test tube. Set the test tube into a beaker.
6. Record