Laboratory report: Identifying Chemical and Physical changes

Jiriberi Bucanayandi

ENGL 2100-Sp15
February 6, 2015

Differentiating Chemical and Physical Changes Through Lab Experiment

Abstract
This laboratory report presents four out of seven lab reports designed by the science depart of
Salt Lake Community College. The four experiments chosen are only significant for this
laboratory report sample. The objective is to determine whether changes occurring following the
mixing of two chemicals are due to physical changes or chemical changes. This is a nonqualitative sample. Lastly, the applicability of this report was demonstrated at Salt Lake
Community college science of engineering by scholars taking general chemistry 1.
Keywords: Chemical changes, physical changes, matter properties, Salt Lake Community
Chemistry lab, reactions, general chemistry

Differentiating Chemical and Physical Changes Through Lab Experiment

Introduction
In the chemistry experimentations realm there are two sorts of observations, chemical and
physical changes. In general, chemical changes occur when there is a formation of a precipitant,
bubbles, and a gas. Change in temperature signify a chemical change also. There are additional
signs that indicate chemical changes. Furthermore, chemical changes involves the reaction
between two substances resulting in changing their identity. This can simply be observed if the
substance reacts in the presence of air, acid, water, a base and other chemicals5.
On the other hand, physical changes may include phase transformations such as liquid
changing into a vapor like the evaporation of water. Solid turning to a vapor, and liquid turning
into a solid or solid turning to liquid. The dissolving of minerals in water to form a solution is
also a physical process. In comparison, physical changes do not change the identity of
substances.
Instruments and Methods
Instruments: 1 test tube rack, 1 test tube clamp, 1 medicine dropper or pipet. . Four ten mL test
tubes, they should be washed and dried between experiments.
Chemicals: 2 M hydrochloric acid (HCl), 2 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH), phenolphthalein,
baking soda, 3 M HCl, 0.1M copper sulfate (CuSO4), magnesium turnings, solid ammonium
chloride (NH4Cl), distilled water.
Safety tips: Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and hydrochloric acid (HCl)
solutions are corrosive and toxic. Copper sulfate (CuSO4) solution is toxic and an irritant.
Prevent contact of these materials with eyes, skin, and clothing. It is never a good idea to smell
toxic materials.
Equipment: The tools of your senses of sight, smell and touch.

Differentiating Chemical and Physical Changes Through Lab Experiment

All procedures were performed under the supervision of a chemistry lab professor on
January 26, 2015. Anybody attempting to perform these procedures is advised to take general
chemistry lecture simultaneously with general chemistry lab. Hence, the education institution
should provide you with all the necessarily materials and equipment required.
1. A. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and phenolphthalein
Place 10 drops of 2 M NaOH in a clean, dry test tube. Add a drop of phenolphthalein. Observe
the contents of the test and record your observations.
B. NaOH and hydrochloric acid (HCl) Add 13 drops of 2 M HCl to the test tube in part A.
Observe the contents of the test tube and record your observations.
2. Baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate, NaHCO3) and HCl
Obtain about one spoon measure of baking soda and place it in a small, clean, and dry 10 ml test
tube. Slowly add 10 drops of 3 M HCl. observe the contents of the test tube and record your
observations.
3. Copper sulfate and sodium hydroxide
Place 5 drops of 0.1 M CuSO4solution into a small, clean, and dry 10 mL test tube. Add 5 drops
of 2 M NaOH. Shake the tube to mix the contents. Observe the contents of the test tube. Record
your observations.
4. Magnesium and hydrochloric acid
Place several pieces of magnesium turnings into a small, clean, and dry 10 mL test tube. Add 10
drops of 3 M HCl and observe the contents of the test tube. Record your observations.
Results

Differentiating Chemical and Physical Changes Through Lab Experiment

Table 1.1
Reactions

Precipitate

Gas

Bubbles

Temperature

1. a. (NaOH) +
X
phenolphthalein
b. NaOH+
X
(HCl)
2. Baking soda
X
and HCl

3. Copper sulfate
and sodium
hydroxide

4. Magnesium and X
hydrochloric
acid

There were two parts for experiment one. First, Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and
phenolphthalein (CHO) will produce a dark pink-ish color1. Starting with 10 drops of
NaOH in the 10 mL test tube, as soon as the one drop of phenolphthalein (CHO) got into
contact with the NaOH liquid the color change appeared. Second, adding HCL to the same test
tube changed the pink-ish solution to a colorless solution 1, 6. No temperature or odor change was
observed.
In experiment two, one spoon measurement of baking soda was carefully added to the
10mL test tube. After the first initial drop of hydrochloric acid (HCl) was added to the test tube,
the baking soda violently produced a vapor, bubbles, and a gas. The escalation of the bubbles
intensified as the rest of the HCl drops were dropped into the test tube4. After fifteen seconds, the
reaction ceased to react.

Differentiating Chemical and Physical Changes Through Lab Experiment

In experiment three, copper sulfate reacted with sodium hydroxide to produce a blue
liquid2. Ten seconds after the five drops of 2 M NaOH were dropped into the CuSO4 solution,
the test tube was shaken and the color change was present. Again, the test tube was felt, and
smelt, no apparent odder or temperature change was observed.
In experiment four, starting with several pieces of magnesium turnings in a 10 mL test
tube. Right after the third drop of HCl into the tube, there was a formation of bubbles and the
evolution of a gas, and an increase in temperature3. These changes fluctuated for about fifteen
seconds and ceased to react. Lastly, the contents remained stable.
Discussion
As already stated in the introduction, few signs that indicate chemical changes are
formations of a gas, precipitate, and change in temperature. Using table 1.1, it is obvious which
chemical reactions are due to chemical or physical changes. For experiment one, the change was
a physical one because none of the signs were present. Although, there was a color change.
There are some occasion where a color change can signify a chemical change. However, the
chemicals used for this experiments are not one of those occasions. Experiment 3 is also like
experiment one, there was a color change, nothing else happened. Therefore, its a physical
change.
In experiments two and four the change was due to a chemical change because all of the
signs were present. In experiments 2, HCl reacted with baking soda to form a gas and bubbles.
Experiment 4, like experiment 2, all of the signs that indicate a chemical change were present
including an increase in temperature.
Conclusion

Differentiating Chemical and Physical Changes Through Lab Experiment

It is not always easy to distinguish between chemical and physical transformations, but
careful observation may facilitate the detection of a chemical change. Some clues that may
indicate that a chemical change has occurred are formations of a gas, a precipitate, and an abrupt
color change, or a spontaneous temperature change. Therefore, we use our five senses to detect
those signs. Additionally, chemical changes alter the identity of substances. In comparison,
physical changes are the ones that do not change the identity of a substance. Substances may
change their physical properties like, coming from a gas to a liquid. Like rain. Or when liquids
evaporate to a gas. These are the signs of physical changes.

Differentiating Chemical and Physical Changes Through Lab Experiment

Cited References
1. Blah. NaOH reaction with Phenolphthalein [Video on Internet]: YouTube; 2011 [Cited 2015
Feb 13]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz-DNayygbU
2. Chen, Victor. Copper Sulfate and Sodium Hydroxide [Video on Internet]: You tube; 2013
[Cited 2015 Feb 13]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08tpipzynxc
3. Huggard, Aaron. Hydrochloric Acid + Magnesium [Video on Internet]: You tube; 2012 [Cited
2015 Feb 13]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpy_Zh-8sKA
4. NCSSMDistanceEd. Double Displacement Sodium Bicarbonate and HCl [Video on
Internet]:YouTube;2011[Cited2015Feb13].Availablefrom:https://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=xRfPvDEs2gM
5. Spellman F. 2006. Chemistry for Nonchemists: Principles and Applications for Environmental
Practitioners. Lanham (MD): The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.;
2006.Chapter 1. Atoms and Elements; P. 1-13.
6. Xperiments, Science. Titration (using phenolphthalein) [Video on Internet]: YouTube; 2011
[Cited 2015 Feb 13]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UiuE7Xx5l8