Laboratory Worksheet

In this activity, you will complete a virtual experiment to identify the unknown compounds. Use the
interactive on the assessment page to collect your data.

Pre-lab Questions:

1. What are the properties of ionic compounds? - Most ionic compounds are solids at room
temperature. In order to melt or boil an ionic compound, the ionic bonds must be broken. The
strong attraction between the opposite charges causes most ionic bonds to be relatively
strong. It takes a great deal of energy to break an ionic bond. For this reason, ionic solids
have high melting and boiling points.

2. What are the properties of covalent compounds? - At room temperature, covalent

compounds can exist as solids, liquids, or gases. The atoms of covalent compounds are
bound tightly to each other, but the neutral molecule formed is not strongly attracted to other
molecules in the covalent compound. Most covalent compounds do not dissolve in water.
Some exceptions include compounds like sugar. When dissolved in water, sugar can make
numerous hydrogen bonds with the water molecules. Therefore, sugar is highly soluble in
water.

3. Which type of compound is salt? - Ionic

4. Which type of compound is sugar? - Covalent

Hypothesis

Record your hypothesis as an “if, then” statement for the rate of dissolving the compounds:

If you stir both unknown substances, A and B, then the sugar will dissolve faster.

Record your hypothesis as an “if, then” statement for the boiling point of the compounds:

If you boil both unknown substances, A and B, then it will take the salt longer to dissolve.
Variables

List the independent, dependent, and controlled variables of the experiment.

Independent: Substance A and B

Dependent: Speed substance dissolves
Controlled: Temperature and speed you stir

Materials

(Note: this is a virtual lab, no materials are needed. The items listed here are the types of items that
could be used in a similar investigation.)

● a hot plate
● a thermometer
● a scale
● a measuring spoon
● water
● beakers

Procedure

Remember this is a virtual lab. You do not need to actually perform these steps, but follow along and
collect the data!

1. Measure out 100 mL of water into three beakers and label them A, B, and C. Beaker C will
be the control.
2. Then measure 50 grams of unknown compound A into beaker A and stir for one minute.
Measure the amount of undissolved solute and record this in Table 1.
3. Then measure 50 grams of unknown compound B into beaker B and stir for one minute.
Measure the amount of undissolved solute and record this in Table 1.
4. Next, we will test the boiling point of each solution. Place each beaker onto a hot plate.
5. When the solution boils, use a thermometer to record the temperature. Record the boiling
point for each solution in Table 2.

Data Table 1

Record the amount of solute left after one minute of stirring.

Beaker Amount of Solute at Start (g) Amount of Solute at End (g)

Solution with Compound A 50 0

Solution with Compound B 50 15

Plain water in Beaker C 0 (control group) 0

Data Table 2

Record the the boiling point for each solution.

Beaker Temperature at Start (°C) Temperature at Boiling Point (°C)

Solution with Compound A 23 102.8 °C

Solution with Compound B 23 108.7 °C

Plain water in Beaker C 23 100 °C

Analysis and Conclusion

1. Which compound dissolved more easily? - Compound A

2. Which compound had the lower boiling point? - Compound A

3. Are the answers to 1 and 2 the same compound? What does this tell you about the strength
of the bonds in this compound? - Yes; It is weaker that Compound B, which means it may be
covalent.

4. Which compound is the sugar? - Compound A

5. Which compound is the salt? - Compound B