FINAL REPORT in

Inorganic & Organic

Chemistry Laboratory

Group 2:

CARILLO, Elaija Luz

CALLO, Reychelle Ann
CELESTE, Ancel Eliel
CHAVEZ, Kirsten Jalen
 Experiment #1
Copper Reactions

I. Abstract
In this experiment, a copper wire was used to identify the cycle of reactions
involving copper and to determine the resulting percentage yield. A specific
quantity of copper will be transformed through a series of reactions and then
recovered as solid copper. The pieces of copper were added with a solution of
Nitric acid which were placed in a beaker, after complete dissolution of the
copper, distilled water is added until half full of the beaker. Resulting,
Copper nitrate in aqueous state and then added with Sodium hydroxide; later
then formed Copper hydroxide. Copper hydroxide was heated under boiling
water causing to form Copper oxide and Dihydrogen monoxide in gas state.
After filtration by using a filter paper, the black precipitate or the Copper
oxide was placed in a 250 mL beaker and added with Sulfuric acid; the
resulting compounds were water and Copper sulfate. Lastly, Copper sulfate
in liquid state, was added with Zinc metal; dissolving in the liquid Copper
sulfate – solid particles were formed with an aqueous Zinc sulfate. Using
decantation, the Zinc sulfate was separated from the copper particles. Then
by using Methanol and Acetone was added to the Copper particles to wash
them. The retrieved copper particles were put in a water bath to dry and the
resulting Copper is then weighed at the analytical balance. After recovering
the Copper particles, the group proceeded with calculating the percentage
yield. The group had a positive result with the experiment since the values of
the initial, actual and percentage yield were accurate based on the reaction.
 II. Introduction
As we all know, copper wire has many usages in our lives. Copper is the
electrical conductor in many categories of electrical wiring. Copper wire is
mostly used in electrical equipment such as wiring and motors. This is
because it conducts both heat and electricity very well, and can be drawn into
wires. It also has uses in construction (for example roofing and plumbing),
and industrial machinery (such as heat exchangers). It has been used since the
invention of electromagnet and telegraph. It can also be used to teach
students the process of filtrating, decantation, and sedimentation when used
in chemistry approach.
III. Methodology
1. By using the fume hood, dissolve the pre-cut Cu wire in a 250 mL
beaker while add 4.0 mL of 16 M HNO3. Swirl the mixture
occasionally.
2. Remove the beaker from the fume hood after complete dissolution of
the Cu wire in the acid.
3. Add distilled water half full of the beaker
4. Add 30.0 mL of 6M NaOH to the reaction mixture.
5. Place 2-3 pieces of boiling chips into the beaker and allow the solution
to boil for 5-10 minutes while stirring.
6. Filter the solution while hot and wash the obtained black precipitate
with 100.0 mL very hot distilled water.
 7. Dissolve the black precipitate in 15.o mL of 6M H2SO4.
8. Add 2.0g zinc metal to the reaction mixture, stir until transparent. Cool
until room temperature and wash the solids by decantation.
9. Wash the collected solids with 10.0 mL methanol and decant. Repeat
the process with acetone.
10. Allow the reaction mixture to dry by heating in a water bath, then
weigh the recovered copper.

IV. Tabulation of Results

The group was given a copper wire with the initial mass of 0.3 grams and a
beaker with a mass of 1.59 grams. The combined total of the number of
grams of the beaker and the copper wire is 1.63 grams. After going through
the experiment, the group was able to recover 0.04 grams of copper.
Following the percentage yield formula, the result had a total of 13.3% yield.
V. Analysis of Results
Initial mass of copper wire, 0.30g
Mass of recovered Cu and filter paper, 1.63g
Mass of filter paper, 1.59g
Mass of recovered Cu, 0.04g
Percentage yield, 13.3%
0.04g
𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 = x 100 = 13.3 g
0.3g

Describe the reaction of copper wire with nitric acid. What is the type of
reaction is this?
When nitric acid was added to the copper wire, it produces a greenish to blue
color liquid, and a brown, hazardous gas as the copper wire dissolves. The
type of reaction involved in this reaction are single displacement and
decomposition reaction.

Describe the reaction of aqueous copper nitrate with sodium. What type
of reaction is this?
The solution became a dark blue when sodium was added to the solution. The
reaction involved in this reaction is double displacement reaction.

Describe what happens when an aqueous solution of copper (II)

hydroxide is heated. What type of reaction is this?
Heating of aqueous solution of copper (II) hydroxide produces black
precipitate (copper oxide). The reaction is decomposition.

Describe what happens when copper (II) is dissolved in 6 M sulfuric acid.

What type of reaction is this?
The black precipitate reacts with the sulfuric acid and formed a copper
sulphate which is color blue. The reaction involved in this reaction is

Describe what happens when zinc metal is added to an aqueous solution

of copper (II) sulfate. What type of reaction is this?
The copper will produce a reddish brown deposit and the copper sulfate will
become less blue. The reaction involved in this process is
 VI. Conclusion and Recommendation
The group used copper wire to identify the cycle of reaction that involves
copper. The copper wire that our group use has an initial mass of 0.3 grams
and a beaker with an initial mass of 1.59 grams. The group combined the
copper wire and the beaker the total is 1.63 grams. The group experimented
the cycle reaction, we were able to recover 0.04 grams of copper. The group
used the percentage yield formula to find the result of our experiment, the
total percentage yield is 13.3 grams. For the students who are studying the
cycle of reaction, this experiment may help for their studies and for their
advance reading as well.