Chem I Honors

Copper Lab

Purpose: (Write this purpose in your notebook) The purpose of this lab is to completely react
a sample of aluminum with copper (II) chloride and determine the percentage yield of copper
produced. The reaction to be used is a single displacement reaction between aqueous copper (II)
chloride and aluminum metal yielding solid copper and aqueous aluminum chloride.

Background: You dont need to copy this section, but you will need to read it in order to answer
some of the pre-lab questions.
Many salts that have been crystallized from a water solution appear to be dry, but when they are
heated, large amounts of water are given off. These compounds are called hydrates, meaning
that they contain water. Usually, the amount of water present in a compound is in a whole-
number mole ratio. The copper (II) chloride in this lab is a dihydrate with the formula CuCl 22H2O.
The formula of the anhydrous (without water) form of the compound is simply CuCl 2. The formula
of the hydrate indicates that two moles of water are combined with one mole of the copper (II)
chloride. This does not affect the chemical reaction, but does affect the molar mass of the
compound. Since there is water present in the solid (even though it appears to be dry), the mass
of 2 moles of water must be included with every mole of copper (II) chloride.

Pre-Lab Questions (Answer the following questions in your lab notebook):

1) Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction that will be used in this lab (include
state symbols). The chemical equation is not affected by the presence of a hydrate, so do
not include the formula for water in the equation.
2) Determine the molar mass of copper (II) chloride dihydrate. Show work.
3) Determine the mass of copper (II) chloride dihydrate needed to react with 0.85 grams of
granular aluminum. Show work using dimensional analysis.
4) Determine the theoretical yield of copper that will be produced. Show work using
dimensional analysis.

Materials (copy the following list of materials in your lab notebook):

Balance Funnel
Weigh tray 250 mL flask
250 mL beaker Wash bottle with distilled water
Glass stirring rod Filter paper
Metal Spatula Copper (II) chloride dihydrate
Micro spatula Aluminum metal

Safety:
Wear safety goggles and aprons at all times. Avoid contact of solutions with skin and eyes.
In case of spill, notify your instructor.

Consult the MSDS sheets for each of the substances and create a table
(example below) that includes the following for each substance: hazards
identification, first aid measures, and exposure controls/personal protection.
Substances: copper (II) chloride dihydrate, and granular aluminum.
Substance Hazards First Aid Exposure
Identification Measures Controls/
Personal
Protection

Procedure: READ through the procedure. THEN copy and complete the diagrams
as indicated by adding the missing substances and labeling them appropriately.
The substances to be included consist of copper (II) chloride, aluminum, copper,
aluminum chloride, and distilled water (in no particular order, and may be
needed in more than one panel)
1) Record mass of empty beaker.
2) Add amount of copper (II) chloride dihydrate calculated in pre-lab question #3. Record
exact mass used.
3) Add to beaker approximately 50-100 mL of distilled water. Stir with glass stirring rod to
dissolve.
4) While one group member is completing steps 1-3, another group member should mass out
0.85 grams of granular aluminum in the weigh tray. Record the exact mass used.
5) Record qualitative observations of each reactant.
6) Once copper (II) chloride is completely dissolved, add granular aluminum and record
qualitative observations about the reaction.
7) Allow 10-15 minutes for the reaction to occur, stirring continuously. Use caution as heat
will be released. Do not inhale any fumes. If your instructor has not already done so, ask
them to turn on the exhaust fan.
8) While one group member is tending to the reaction, another group member should obtain
a piece of filter paper and record its mass. Then, set up the equipment so that its ready to
perform the filtration.
9) Once the reaction has stopped, slowly pour the contents of the beaker into the filter paper.
Do not let the level of liquid in the funnel go past either the filter paper or the funnel
(whichever is lower). This is expected to take another 10-15 minutes.
10) Use the wash bottle containing distilled water to ensure that all contents of the
beaker make it into the filter paper.
11) While one group member is filtering the contents of the beaker, another group
member should label a paper towel will all group members names and class period.
12) Once the filtration is complete, give the filter paper and solid product a quick rinse
with distilled water and let that water drain into the flask.
13) Carefully remove filter paper (and its contents) from the funnel and unfold it,
leaving it on the labeled paper towel to dry overnight in the location designated by your
instructor.
14) Clean up. The filtrate can be poured down the sink. Clean all glassware with dish
soap and the scrubber. Rinse out with tap water and leave at lab station for next period.
 Make sure each person in the group washed their hands with soap, that there is nothing
left in the sink and that all trash is picked up.
15) Day 2: Record the mass of your product and filter paper. Make observations of the
product.
16) Day 3: Record the mass of your product and filter paper. Make observations of the
product.







Beaker after step 2 and weigh tray after step
Beaker Beaker
4 after step 7
Filtration Product left to dry overnight


Data (Prepare the following data tables in your notebook using a ruler):
Table 1: Quantitative Data Table 2: Qualitative Data
Substance/Material M Substance Qualitative
a Observations
s
s
Beaker Copper (II)
Chloride
Dihydrate
Beaker + Copper (II) Aluminum
Chloride Dihydrate
Aluminum Reaction
Filter Paper Products (Day 2)
Filter Paper + Product Products (Day 3)
(Day 2)
Filter Paper + Product
(Day 3)