Lab Report Conclusions

PART 1: RESULTS
CRITERIA: The results are used to support whether or not the purpose was achieved and
whether the hypothesis was correct. All results and observations are explained. The
results are also compared with the expected results when applicable.
The words I, we, you, us, lab partner, etc. are not used

Use these questions as a guide: What is the meaning of your results? Why did you get
the results you did? Are your results in line with the purpose and hypothesis of this
experiment? Why or why not?

In this lab, the reaction between copper (II) chloride and aluminum foil
is taken into consideration. The experiment called Limiting Reactant and
Percent Yield serves the purpose of determining the limiting reactant and
percent yield with quantitative and qualitative observations. The pre-lab
hypothesis is that If the limiting reactant is found, then the percent yield
can be determined because there is sufficient data. The results are that the
copper are yielded, there is excess copper (II) chloride in the aqueous
solution and the percent yield is 85.0 % .
At the beginning, when the aluminum foil is added, the beaker
immediately gets warmer. Moreover, there is gas bubbling out from the
solution. This phenomenon is caused in accordance with the following
equations:
Cu2+ + H2O <=> CuOH+ + H+
6H+ + 2 Al --> 2Al3+ + 3H2.
As the reaction is taking place, there is a noticeable amount of reddish-brown
substance clings to the foil. This can be explained with the equation:
2Al + 3CuCl2 2AlCl3 + 3Cu
The newly-produced copper atoms cover the pieces of foil while the
Aluminum atoms dissolve to create the new substance aluminum chloride.
The additional copper atoms greatly hinder the rate of reaction because they

prevent inner aluminum atoms to react so its important that the solution be
stirred with a stirring rod as in the procedures. Furthermore, the aqueous
solution is beginning to lose its clear and greenish-blue color because of the
loss of copper (II) chloride molecules in the solution. Plus, the formation of
new aluminum chloride has slightly changed the color to grey. The reaction
stops when the solution stops bubbling, the beaker begins to cool down and
the foil disappears completely. After letting the solution sit for a while, it is
conspicuous that there are three distinct layers. The bottom one is where the
sediment stays. Despite the color of the solution, it can be seen that the solid
has the reddish-brown color of copper. The middle layer bears the color of
excess copper (II) chloride; however, it is not as blue as before the reaction.
The upper one is the layer where there is the least amount of solid particles;
thus being clear. These observations have confirmed that the reaction has
ended and the limiting reactant is aluminum; thus helping to figure out the
percent yield. The experiment has basically completed and fulfilled its
original purposes; nonetheless, it is also imperative that the decanting and
weighing out process may affect the final result.
PART 2: ERRORS INDENTIFICATION

CRITERIA: Five sources of random errors are analyzed. Analysis consists of

answering how the errors performed during the lab affected the end results
or outcome. Solutions to prevent these errors in the future and ways to
improve the experiment are also explained.
The words I, we, you, us, lab partner, etc. are not used.

Errors are inevitable, especially during chemical experiments. Therefore, the

results may greatly change. The first error is the decantation. According to
the procedures, the solid gets decanted for 3 three times. In the first time, on
draining the aqueous solution, there is no filter; hence, there may be a
certain amount of copper atoms being wasted. In the second time, when the
water is added, the solution has a slight color of reddish purple. This may
indicate that some copper atoms get stirred up and also go out along with
the water. The same situation might reoccur when the methanol is added in
the third time. The missing of copper atoms may reduce the yield of the
product. This mistake can be limited to a negligible level if a filter paper is
used during the decantation process in the first, second and third times. By
which way, the amount of copper atoms will be hindered from escaping. In
the second place, the stirring rod might as well cause the reduction the yield
of copper. Upon stirring, some of the copper atoms may glue to the rod and
get out of the beaker. This error, albeit considerable, can hardly be avoided.

In the third place, human is imperfect; thus, there may be some spilling
between the steps. However noticeable or not are the mistakes, the outcome
may be inaccurate. In the fourth place, not only the errors can reduce the
percent yield, it can also raise it. For example, the final product, even though
has undergone several draining processes, still has some water droplets
inside it most of them are invisible to the naked eyes. Therefore, the rough
percent yield may be higher than the actual percent yield. This mistake can
be easily fixed by drying the solid thoroughly until a point when the reddishbrown solid is sand-like then it will be perfect. Last but not least, the rise of
the percent yield may be owing to the oxidation of copper atoms. The copper
(II) oxide is much heavier than the pure copper; thus contributing to the false
result. It is possible that the product is heated too long and the oxidation
takes place afterwards. The error can be avoided by carefully watching the
product while it is put on the hot plate. By that way, the formation of the
oxide can be lessened. In addition, errors will be certain if students are
unprepared for the lab. It is obligatory that students should be familiarized
with the procedures and materials in advance; therefore, human errors can
be greatly limited.

This lab requires the following materials:

A 50 ml beaker

2.5g of copper (II)

chloride

Aluminum Foil
10 ml of methanol
Water
Graduated Cylinder

Stirring Rod
Hot plate
Safety Goggles
Tongs