Period 1
Experiment #23
May 6, 2014
Properties of Acids and Bases Objectives:
● To investigate the properties of acids and bases
● To learn the names and formulas of common laboratory acids and bases Procedure: The procedure followed in this lab is as outlined on the first page of the provided lab handout, “Properties of Acids and Bases.” Data:
Table I: Properties of Common Laboratory Acids Name
Hydrochloric
Formula Effect on
Blue
Litmus
HCl
Acid
Turned pink Effect on
Red
Litmus
Reaction with
Carbonate
Reaction with Zinc
Reaction
Effects on with Properties
Magnesium of Bases
Turned dark red
Bubbles until dissolved Flame went out Bubbles until dissolved
No
reaction to flame Bubbles until dissolved
Produced
gas
No
reaction to flame Neutralized
No reaction to
CaCO3
(no effect) Flame went out
Bubbles until dissolved
Made a popping noise with the flame
Bubbles until dissolved
Made a popping noise with the flame
Neutralized
Bubbles until dissolved
No flame rxn Bubbles until dissolved
Produced
gas
Neutralized
(no effect)
Sulfuric
Acid
H2SO4
Turned pink Nitric
Acid
HNO3
Turned pink Turned dark red
Turned dark red
(no effect)
Bubbles until dissolved Flame went out Table II: Properties of Common Laboratory Bases Name
Formula
Effect on
Blue
Litmus
Effect on
Red
Litmus
Feel
Effect of
Phth
Sodium
Hydroxide
NaOH
Turned dark blue
(no effect)
Turned blue Heavy/dense
Potassium
Hydroxide
KOH
Turned dark blue
(no effect)
Turned blue Thin, soapy, Turned hot Neutralized slippery pink/magenta
Calcium
Hydroxide
Ca(OH)2
Turned dark blue
(no effect)
Turned blue Heavy/ dense Turned hot Neutralized pink/magenta Turned hot Neutralized pink/magenta Table III: Properties of a Solution after an Acid/Base (Neutralization) Reaction
Effect on
Properties
of Acids
Effect on Red Litmus
Turned dark red
Effect on Blue Litmus
Turned light red
Feel
Thick and sticky
Reaction with Zinc
No reaction
Formula of the Solute Product
NaCl
Results:
Table IV: Properties of Acids and Bases Acids
Bases
Turns blue litmus paper pink
Turns red litmus paper blue
Reacts with metals to form H2 gas
Slippery Feeling
Sour taste
Bitter taste
Discussion: The objective of the lab was to observe how various experimentations will help to display the properties of acids and bases. Through the numerous tests conducted, one was also able to familiarize themselves with both the names and formulas of acids and bases commonly used in lab experiments. The lab was conducted in three components, beginning with the investigation of the properties of acids, followed by the investigation of bases, and it concluded with a neutralization reaction. For the acids segment, 5 mL of 3 M of HCl, H2SO4, and HNO3 were added to separate test tubes. Afterwards, the effect each had on both the blue and red litmus paper was noted as it would later help to differentiate acids from bases in the results section.
Afterwards, carbonate, zinc, and magnesium were added to each test tube, one at a time, and the results were gathered. A splint was then held over the mouth of the test tubes and the presence of carbon dioxide gas was noted if a popping sound occurred from the calcium carbonate.
Additionally, a hydrogen gas was able to be detected in the same way with the added zinc to the acids. In the second segment of the lab, 5 mL of 0.1 M NaOH, KOH, and Ca(OH)2 were added to test tubes and the effects on the blue and red litmus paper were recorded. By then placing only a drop of solution onto the fingers and rubbing them together, the feel of the used bases was determined. Lastly, a small drop of phenolphthalein indicator, or Phth, was added to the test
tubes