Comparing Masses of Reactants and Products

By: Daniel Triumbari To: Mr. Centrito Partners: Dora, Adam Due: March 21st, 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to examine the law of conservation of mass. Dalton explained chemical reactions as the rearrangements of bonds between the atoms of elements. He argued that mass must be conserved during chemical reactions because atoms cannot be created or destroyed. Within this argument we see the law of conservation of mass. This experiment will allow us to witness firsthand the law of conservation of mass. Hypothesis: If two reactants react with one another, then the product will remain the same weight as the two reactants, and will neither increase nor decrease. This is due to the fact that the law of conservation of mass states that atoms cannot be created or destroyed, but can be changed into different particles. Observations: For this investigation, several different experiments take place. The first is the product between copper sulphate and sodium hydroxide. Both reactants weighed in a total of 121.50 grams. The copper sulphate is a blue powder, and the sodium hydroxide is a clear liquid. After mixing these two reactants together, the result was an opaque liquid with low viscosity. The mass of the products was the same, at 121.50 grams. For the second reaction, that between the Alka-Seltzer tablet and water. This experiment was done twice, first, with a balloon over the lid of the Erlenmeyer flask. The second was without the balloon. Firstly, for the experiment with the balloon, 20 ml of water was added into the Erlenmeyer flask. The Alka-Seltzer tablet was broken into two, and half of it was broken into the balloon. The balloon was then placed over the mouth of the flask, allowing the tablet to fall into the water. The balloon then traps the gasses released. The weight of the water and Alka Seltzer tablet prior to mixture was 114.98 grams. After mixture, the mass of the product was also 114.98 grams. The second part of this experiment with an Alka Seltzer tablet and water took place without a balloon. The mass prior to mixture was 114.98, as well as after reaction.

Name of Reactants

Description Mass of of Reactants Reactants

:Blue, powder, solid :liquid, translucent 121.50 grams

Description Mass of of Products Products

Copper Sulphate (CuSO4) and Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Alka-Seltzer Tablet and Water(H2O)

Opaque Liquid Low Viscosity

121.50 grams

:White, Solid, Opaque :Liquid, Translucent

114.98 grams

Opaque Liquid Effervescent

114.98 grams

Co(N3)2 Na2(PO4)

:Translucent red, odorless liquid :translucent, odorless, liquid, precepate

120.31 grams

Purple, Liquid, Odorless

120.31 grams

Discussion: Questions 1. What evidence was there that a chemical reaction occurred in part 1 and/or part 2? 2. For your group, how did the total mass after mixing compare with the total mass before mixing in both part 1 and part 2? 3. Using the class results for both parts of the activity state a conclusion about changes in mass in a sealed system versus an open system. 4. Do the results of this activity support the law of conversation of mass?

Answers 1. The evidence that supports a chemical reaction in part two is the fact that there is a significant amount of gas that is released. The gases produced are enough to fill the balloon. Furthermore, the color of the product changes, from a clear liquid to an opaque liquid with a white colour. 2. The total mass both before and after mixing remained the same. For example, prior to mixture, the water and Alka-Seltzer tablet added up to a total mass of 114.98 grams. After mixing both these reactants, the weight remained the same, staying at 114.98 grams. The reason for this is that no new mass can be created. 3. Regardless of whether an open system or a close system is used, the mass remains the same. For example, in experiment 2, when the balloon covered the Erlenmeyer flask, the weight of the contents inside was the same as when there was no balloon covering. 4. Yes, the results of this activity clearly prove that the law of conservation of mass is true. The mass of the products was the same as the mass of the reactants. Conclusion: In conclusion, it can be seen through the various experiments that have been demonstrated, that the mass of products remains the same both prior too, and after mixture. Therefore, the hypothesis was correct. After mixing copper sulphate and sodium hydroxide, for example, the mass of the resulting product remained at 121.50 grams. After mixing the Alka-Seltzer tablet in water the mass of the products was again, the same as the reactants. Finally, after mixing Co(N3)2 and Na2(PO4), the mass of the products remained the same, originally being 120.31 grams, the same as it was after mixture.