Purpose:

The purpose of the experiment is to mix several aqueous solutions and ionic compounds to
observe which combinations will form a precipitate. The ones that contain precipitate went
through double replacement reactions. After, we will write balanced equations for the reactions.
Procedure:
1. Put on goggles, gloves, and apron. Label well plate. Use a micropipette to place 5 drops
of silver nitrate solution into each of wells A1 through A4.
2. Place 5 drops of iron(III) nitrate solution into each of wells B1 through B4. Then place 5
drops of copper(II) nitrate solution into each of wells C1 through C4.
3. Add a different ionic compound to each column of wells. Add 5 drops of sodium
phosphate solution to each of the solutions in wells A1, B1, and C1. Observe whether or
not precipitate forms, record observations in Data Table. If no precipitate forms, write
NR for No Reaction.
4. Add 5 drops of sodium sulfate solution to each of the solutions in A2, B2, and C2.
Record in Data Table
5. Add 5 drops of sodium hydroxide solution to solutions in wells A3, B3, and C3. Record
in Data Table
6. Add 5 drops of sodium chloride solution to solutions in wells A4, B4, and C4. Record in
Data Table
7. Dispose of solutions properly. Clean up work area.
Materials:

Chemical splash goggles

Laboratory apron

Gloves

Pen and paper

Well plate

7 micropipettes filled with one of the following 0.1M solutions:

Silver nitrate (AgNO3)

Iron(III) nitrate (Fe(NO3)3)

Copper(II) nitrate (Cu(NO3)2)

Sodium phosphate (Na3PO4)

Sodium sulfate (Na2SO4)

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

Sodium chloride (NaCl)

Data & Calculations:

DATA TABLE:

A
B
C

Ionic
Solutions
Ag+
NO3Fe3+
NO3Cu2+
NO3-

1
Na+
PO43Solid, cloudy
yellow
Small cloudy
white
Cloudy sky
blue

2
Na+
SO42NR

3
Na+
OHDirt brown

NR

Red/copper

NR

NR

Cerulean

NR

Na+
ClWhite

SOLUBULITY GUIDELINES for Common Ionic Compounds in Water:

Soluble Ionic Compounds
NO3C2H3O2ClBrISO42-

Important Exceptions
None
None
Ag+, Hg22+, Pb2+
Ag+, Hg22+, Pb2+
Ag+, Hg22+, Pb2+
Sr2+, Ba2+, Hg22+, Pb2+

Insoluble Ionic Compounds

S2CO32PO43OH-

Important Exceptions
NH4+, alkali metals, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+
NH4+, alkali metals
NH4+, alkali metals
NH4+, alkali metals, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+

EQUATIONS:
A1: Na3PO4(aq) + 3AgNO3(aq)

3Na(NO3)(aq) + Ag3(PO4)(s)

B1: 3Na3PO4(aq) + 3Fe(NO3)3(aq)

9Na(NO3)(aq) + Fe3(PO4)3(s)

C1: 2Na3PO4(aq) + 3Cu(NO3)2(aq)

A2: Na2SO4(aq) + 2AgNO3(aq)

6Na(NO3)(aq) + Cu3(PO4)2(s)

2Na(NO3)(aq) + Ag2(SO4)(aq)

B2: 3Na2SO4(aq) + 2Fe(NO3)3(aq)

6Na(NO3)(aq) + Fe2(SO4)3(aq)

C2: 2Na2SO4(aq) + 2Cu(NO3)2(aq)

4Na(NO3)(aq) + Cu2(SO4)2(aq)

A3: NaOH(s) + AgNO3(aq)

Na(NO3)(aq) + Ag(OH)(s)

B3: 3NaOH(s) + Fe(NO3)3(aq)

3Na(NO3)(aq) + Fe(OH)3(s)

C3: 2NaOH(s) + Cu(NO3)2(aq)

2Na(NO3)(aq) + Cu(OH)2(s)

A4: NaCl(aq) + AgNO3(aq)

Na(NO3)(aq) + Ag(Cl)(s)

B4: 3NaCl(aq) + Fe(NO3)3(aq)

3Na(NO3)(aq) + Fe(Cl)3(aq)

C4: 2NaCl(aq) + Cu(NO3)2(aq)

2Na(NO3)(aq) + Cu(Cl)2(aq)

Questions:
Q. For which combinations of solutions did no precipitate form? Which compounds are
soluble in water?

A. No precipitate formed in A2, B2, C2, B4, and C4. Compounds containing NO3-, SO42-,
and most with Cl- are soluble. See chart above for complete list of soluble and insoluble
compounds.
Q. Which positive ion reacts to form the greatest number of precipitates: Ag+, Fe3+, or
Cu2+? Explain.
A. Silver reacted to form the greatest number of precipitates. It is one of the exceptions
when combined with Cl-.
Conclusions:
A double replacement reaction takes place between two ionic compounds that are dissolved in
water. The cation of one compound replaces the cation of the other to produce two new
compounds. The product of the two maybe be a precipitate, gas, or water. A precipitate is a solid
compound made from the two reactants. You can physically see the changes in the compounds
during the experiment, and you can see the changes mathematically in the equations. My next
step will be to observe the change in colors more closely, so I wont mistake an aqueous solution
for a precipitate or vice versa.