5P1.

Copper and Graphite in their elements in different mixtures

Aim: To investigate the conductivity of different elements in different mixtures Hypothesis: The salt will be a better conductor of electricity than the other materials tested. Equipment: 1x Safety glasses 3x100mL of water 3x50mL of water 1x 150mL beaker 6x 1tsp salt 6x 1tsp sugar 6x 1tsp sand 1x Stirring rod 1x Strip of Copper 1x Stick of Graphite 1x Power Pack 1x Ammeter 3x Electrical wires 1x Work Mat

Method: 1. Place 50mL of water into a 150ml beaker 2. Connect the wires from the power pack to the ammeter then to the graphite and copper. 3. Add salt to beaker 4. Stir with stirring rod until the salt dissolves 5. Place copper in beaker and connect wires, making sure the wires do not touch 6. Repeat steps 4-5 with carbon and with copper and carbon at the same time changing water every time. 7. Add 100mL of water and stir with stirring rod

8. Repeats steps 4-7 with 50mL of sugar and sand separate and then with 100mL sugar and sand.

Results: Table 1: Conductivity of Copper and Graphite in Salt Water Water Element Conductor Voltage Amount (Volts) (mLs) 50 Salt Copper 8 & 12 50 Salt Graphite 8 &12 50 Salt Both 8 &12 100 Salt Copper 8 &12 100 Salt Graphite 8 &12 100 Salt Both 8 &12 Table 2: Conductivity of Copper and Graphite in Sand Water Water Element Conductor Voltage Amount (Volts) (mLs) 50 Sand Copper 8 &12 50 Sand Graphite 8 &12 50 Sand Both 8 &12 100 Sand Copper 8 &12 100 Sand Graphite 8 &12 100 Sand Both 8 &12 Table 3: Conductivity of Copper and Graphite in Sugar Water Water Amount (mLs) 50 50 50 100 100 100 Element Conductor Voltage (Volts) 8 &12 8 &12 8 &12 8 &12 8 &12 8 &12 Conductivity (Amps) 5+ 5+ 1.2 5+ 5+ 0.2 Conductivity (Amps) overload 2.75 0 5+ 2.5 0 Conductivity (Amps) 5+ 2.5 0 5+ 2.75 0

Sugar Sugar Sugar Sugar Sugar Sugar

Copper Graphite Both Copper Graphite Both

Discussion: This experiment showed the conductivity between different elements in different solutions. The results in this experiment are reliable as exact amount of materials were measured including the exact amount of salt, sugar and sand. When the graphite and the copper was tested they were kept away from touching each other in order to make sure it didnt complete the circuit. In the salt water solution with both the copper and graphite connected, it had no conductivity because it was not a complete circuit. If the copper and graphite were physically touching that would be a complete circuit and as a result would have a level of conductivity. Fizzing and bubbles were observed but only around the graphite. This means that the electrolysis process was undergoing. A colour change was also noted to have occurred changing from a clearish/ white to a green aqua colour which further developed into a murky yellow. This is known as electroplating where the carbon strips the copper of its electrons. A colour change is also noticeable on the part of the copper submerged in the solution. A precipitate also formed where the salt reacted with the copper iron to form a precipitate It could be important to investigate the importance of distilled water and what effect this could have on the results of the experiment as well as using a different metal to compare with the copper to see if the same results would have been achieved. The amount of liquid and the dilution rates were varied to see for a relationship between the dilution rate and conductivity. In the salt solution, the graphite had a higher conductivity in a more diluted substance than a more concentrate solution. This result could be subject to the fact they were only tested once and was not averaged. This is because in usual circumstances, the conductivity should be higher the more concentrated a solution is. The salt solution allowed for the highest conductivity, Conclusion: The hypothesis was valid because the salt solution did allow for highest conductivity. The copper, being a metal resulted in the highest conductivity with an overload of amperes in all sand sugar and salt solutions.

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