Chemical Reactions Lab Synthesis, Single Replacement, and Decomposition

Katelyn Dudash, Jess Kochik, and Claudia White

I. Introduction
In this lab, there are various examples of chemical reactions occurring with a variety of
different chemicals and substances. In this lab, there are synthesis reactions,
decomposition reactions, as well as single-replacement reactions happening with various
results.
II. Station 1
Observations
Mg: Lighter-colored metal, shiny, cut in thin strips, light in weight
Fe: Darker in color, more mass (dense), dull, cut in square pieces
Al: Light in color, shiny, frayed at the edges, cut in square pieces
Cu: Bronze in color, slight shine, cut in rods, moderately dense

Iron Nitrate: Yellow in color, relatively clear

Copper Sulfate: Blue in color, foggy

Observations during reaction

Iron Nitrate Copper Sulfate
Copper (1) NO CHANGE NO CHANGE
Aluminum (2) Color change Bubbling, slight color change
Iron (3) NO CHANGE Color change, solution
became foggy
Magnesium (4) Color change, bubbles, Bubbling, corrosive, color
floated in solution change, highly reactive

Reactions with Iron Nitrate

-Cu + Fe3(NO3) WILL NOT REACT
-Al + Fe3(NO3) Fe + Al3(NO3)
-Fe + Fe3(NO3) WILL NOT REACT
-3Mg + 2Fe(NO3)3 2Fe + 3Mg(NO3)2

Reactions with Copper Sulfate

-Cu + Cu2(SO4) WILL NOT REACT
-2Al + 3Cu(SO4) 3Cu + Al2(SO4)3*
-Fe + Cu(SO4) 2Cu + Fe(SO4)
-Mg + Cu2(SO4) 2Cu + Mg(SO4)

-All reactions matched predictions made based off of the Activity Series
-All reactions are single-replacement reactions
III. Station 2
Observations
 -Strip of copper shiny (bronze), light in mass
-After being placed under Bunsen burner there was a noted color change as well
as peeling of the surface of the coper, suspected as rust

Chemical equation
-2Cu + O2 2CuO

-This reaction was a synthesis reaction

IV. Station 3
Observations
-Sodium bicarbonate a fine, white powder with few clumps
-Once heated some condensation forming on the inside of the test tube, the test
tube is also blackening in the portion directly above the flame
-Once the wood-splint was placed in the test tube containing the sodium bicarbonate after
it was heated, it was extinguished immediately

Chemical equation
-2(NaHCO3) Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O

-This reaction was a decomposition reaction

V. Station 4
Observations
-Once the borax was added to the glue, there was a noticeable change in consistency as
well as color once the food dye was added
-The texture began to change from liquid to a slime-like solid

Word equation
-Glue + borax (+dye) colored slime

VI. Conclusion
It is clear that chemical reactions occur among various different mediums and types. This
was demonstrated in this 4 station lab synthesis, decomposition, and single-replacement
reactions occurred. All of the reactions that occurred followed suit with the observations
made as well as the predictions made with the Activity Series with single-replacement
reactions.