Unknown Substances Investigation Report

Words: 527
Pages: 3

In this investigation, our job was to investigate and determine four unknown substances. These four substances were in sealed bags, and each contained a certain powder. We were hired by DOW Inc. to determine the substance that was stolen and then found in a car, with no perpetrator found. They were labeled with the amount of moles inside, because the suspect is a chemist. In order to determine the unknown substances, a Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry would usually be used to figure them out, however it is broken. Therefore, we had one day to find out what the substance was. We were able to discover the names of the four unknown substances by using prior knowledge relating to moles and their mass.

For this investigation, my tablemates and I all collaborated on how we could evaluate the issue. We only had one day to figure out the missing substances, and we could not open the plastic bags. Throughout our investigation, we used multiple materials and pieces of equipment. Our investigation required an electronic balance, periodic table, zip lock bags with the unknown substances, empty zip lock bags, and a calculator. We also used a whiteboard to help solve our mathematical problems. Before we started our investigation, we put on goggles, aprons, and tied our hair back in order to follow safety protocols.
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Weigh the zip lock bag with substance on the electronic balance. Subtract the weight of the empty zip lock bag from the zip lock bag with a substance. Divide the molar mass by the number of moles present in the zip lock bag (substance). Calculated the end result and matched it with one of the possible compounds stolen. Repeat the above steps for each of the four