Real-World Problem

You are a new crime scene investigator. The chief inspector of your unit has instructed you to make a
laboratory analysis of different substances. The results of your experiment will help you in the future to identify
substances similar to what you will observe. The chief inspector would like you to observe the physical properties of
some substances to find the types of chemical bonds they exhibit. Your laboratory report must include the following:
problem, hypothesis, materials, procedure, data table, analysis of data (answers to questions), and conclusion. The
chief inspector will grade your laboratory report based on the strength of your observations, analysis (answers to
questions), and conclusions.
A. Metallic bond
Materials:
Hammer, piece of charcoal, naphthalene ball, iron nail, piece of aluminum foil, empty tin can, 2 in of
copper wire, piece of chalk
Procedure:
1. Observe the color and luster of the following: piece of charcoal, naphthalene ball, iron nail,
aluminum foil, tin can, copper wire, and chalk. Record your observations in the data table.
2. Hammer each object. Observe what happen. Record your observations.
Data and Observations
Substance
Color

Properties
Luster

Malleability

Charcoal
Naphthalene ball
Iron nail
Aluminum foil
Tin can
Chalk
Copper wire
Questions:
1. Which of the materials are metals? Explain based on your observations.
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2. Do metallic bonds break when metals are hammered? Support your answer.
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A. Solubility of ionic and covalent compounds
Materials:
Powdered chalk, powdered naphthalene ball, salt, baking soda, starch, ball pen cap, 5 test tubes, 5
corks, tap water, test tube rack, gloves, face mask.

Caution:

Wear gloves and face mask while handling naphthalene. Naphthalene inhalation may lead
to nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, fever, coughing, and fainting. Skin exposure may
cause more extreme reactions.

Procedure:
1. Label the test tubes 1 to 5.
2. Half fill the test tubes using the tap water.
3. Using your ball pen cap, get some powdered chalk and add this to test tube 1.
4. Cover test tube 1 with cork. Shake gently. Observe what happens.
5. Repeat steps 2 and 4 for these setups: test tube 2, powdered naphthalene; test tube 3, salt; test
tube 4, baking soda; and test tube 5, starch.
Sample
Powdered chalk
Powdered naphthalene
Salt
Baking soda
Starch

Observations

Questions:
1. Which of the samples are ionic compounds? Support your answer.
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2. Give three more examples of ionic compounds.
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3. Which of the samples are covalent compounds? Support your answer.
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4. Give three more examples of covalent compounds.
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B. Conductivity of ionic and covalent compounds
Materials:
Conductivity apparatus, nine 100 mL beakers, 30 mL distilled water, 30 mL tap water, commercial
vinegar, 30 mL ethanol, 30 mL glycerine, 30 mL salt solution, 30 mL sugar solution, 30 mL sports drink,
paper towel.
Caution:
Be careful in using the conductivity apparatus to prevent electric shock. Never touch a
solution which the electrodes are immersed.

Procedure:
1. Label eight of the beakers with the names of these substances: distilled water, tap water, vinegar,
ethanol, glycerin, salt solution, and sports drink.
2. Place the 30 mL of each substance in its corresponding beaker.
3. Fill two-thirds of the extra beaker with distilled water for cleaning the electrodes.
4. Before testing the conductivity of each substance, predict which substances are conductors (will
cause the bulb to light).
5. Lower the electrodes of the conductivity apparatus into the beaker of 30 mL distilled water. Do not
let the two electrodes touch each other. Observe the intensity of the light produced by the light
bulb.
6. Clean the electrodes by wiping them with a paper towel.
7. Lower the electrodes into the beaker with tap water. Do not let the two electrodes touch each other.
Observe the intensity of light. Record your observations.
8. Clean the electrodes by dipping them in distilled water. Wipe them dry using paper towels.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for the other substances.
Substance
Prediction
Observations
Distilled water
Tap water
Vinegar
Ethanol
Glycerin
Salt solution
Sugar solution
Sports drink
Questions:
1. In part B, which of the solutions contain ionic compounds? Support your answer.
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2. Which of the solutions in part B contain covalent compounds? Support your answer.
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3. Why do most athletes drink sports drink? What makes these drinks different from water?
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