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Palikarsky, Martin
Thomas Houston
Chemistry 9/4
November 19, 2016
Compound X Lab Report
Question: What is Compound X and how does it react with the other elements/solutions?
It is predicted that Compound X is sodium bicarbonate. It is hypothesized that because
Compound X is powder, basic, solid, and not dangerous, is most likely to be baking soda.
Materials & Apparatus:
Materials Apparatus
Plastic gloves Beaker
Paper towels Dropper pipet
a solution of NaOH Test tubes
a solution of HCl Safety goggles
phenolphthalein Spatula
Compound X Test tube rack
pH tape Electronic balance
a sheet of paper Pen
a candle Lighter
Spot plate
Procedure:
Each scientist goes to the lab in order to do a specific type of an experiment. Firstly, is really
important to put on the safety goggles and plastic gloves, especially if you don’t know what is
going to happen in a reaction. Following the instructions, the first step is to get the exact
amount of the Compound X as written, using the electronic balance and the beaker and
spatula as a transfer. After that, go to the experiment place and prepare the apparatus.
Secondly, start mixing the given compound with the different materials. Take some of the
Compound X and put it in one of the test tubes, then mix it with water. Shake it to help the
reaction happen, add phenolphthalein, and observe the color. Repeat the first steps, but this
time, using the dropper piper, add a few drops of the solution of sodium hydroxide. Then,
check again the pH level thanks to the phenolphthalein. Finally, do this again, but with the
solution of hydrochloric acid, and check either with phenolphthalein, or pH tape, which
should be put in the water for several seconds until it changes its color. In order to determine a
gas, produced in the third experiment, a candle and a lighter would be needed. Do the same
reaction in a beaker in order of having bigger opening above. Place the candle over the
reaction and observe what will happen. After all, clean the test tubes carefully, return
everything to their initial places, take your notes, remove the cloak and the safety goggles and
leave the lab.
If there are any reactions which seem weak or there is nothing happening, make observations.
Observations:
First of all, the compound in its initial condition not reacted with anything. Its color is white,
and it is like a powder which remains on the finger when touched. Because it is a compound,
not an element, it consists of more than one chemical element or compound, so it will be
symbolized like XY. Obviously, its matter is solid which makes it soluble in water.
Palikarsky 2
Conclusion:
The prediction and the hypothesis in the beginning of the lab are supported. Specifically, the
prediction is supported because it is declared that Compound X is sodium bicarbonate as said.
After that, the hypothesis is also verified because the characteristic that NaHCO3 is basic is
proved throughout the three reactions. There have been so many concerns about what exactly
the Compound X is. It is most likely to be sodium bicarbonate, but there are also other
possible compounds because the initial information given is not completely enough to reach a
perfect conclusion. If there were more hints about the characteristics of the compound, the lab
would have been done perfectly without any frustrations and misunderstandings. Moreover,
this lab can lead to further labs and experiments linked with Chemistry classes because these
types of assignments develop skills, and improve the understanding of many topics.
References:
"Sodium Bicarbonate." PubChem. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Web. 19 Nov. 2016.
<https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/sodium_bicarbonate#section=Top>.
"Sodium Bicarbonate Chemistry." IBT Bulletin: 1+. Web. 19 Nov. 2016.
<http://www.ibtbiomed.com/tech_corner/pdf/sodium_bicarb.pdf>.
"Acids, Bases, & the PH Scale." Science Buddies. Science Buddies, Inc. Web. 19 Nov. 2016.
<http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-
projects/project_ideas/Chem_AcidsBasespHScale.shtml>.