Unknown White Compound Lab Report

Words: 3234
Pages: 13

Amanda Hassan
Chem 1065
10/24/2014
Identifying, Confirming, and Synthesizing an Unknown White Compound
Group Members: Hayley Ortbals & Christina Navarro

Abstract:
The main purpose of this lab was to identify an unknown white compound, determine and confirm it’s physical and chemical properties, and synthesize the compound while testing the precipitate formed. The experiments performed for each process consisted of three tests: the solubility test that determined the unknown compound was soluble, anion and cation test which turned to be negative because no white precipitate formed, and finally the flame test showed there was potassium in the unknown compound after the fire it gave burned a purple light. The unknown white compound was discovered to be potassium nitrate or KNO3, after these tests and techniques were used. By synthesizing potassium nitrate with a reaction and using it’s precipitate, 114,1% of percent yield was discovered. The purpose of this lab was fulfilled by having unknown compounds that didn’t correspond with the results shown during the experiments eliminated from a list given to the class by the instructor.
Introduction:
The objectives of this lab: identifying, confirming, and synthesizing an unknown compound are
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After, the precipitate calculated was used to determine percent yield as seen above, which was 114.1%. This huge number was a result of neutralizing the reaction because it took many drops of adding potassium hydroxide to the acidic solution. It’s also a result of the limitations on data because of the lack of precision and accuracy that came from tiny human mistakes when performing this experiment. There also wasn't as much quantitative data in this experiment which could have extended the work more like finding the density of the unknown solution. Adding more tests when confirming the unknown white compound was also another way to extend the