*Add intro*
1. What were the different experiments you completed?
In this term, term 3, we have been challenged to try and complete many experiments, the main ones being the hydrogen pop test, burning magnesium, limewater test, and iron corrosion.
2. What observations did you make in each experiment?
- The hydrogen pop test – The first few times we tried, we weren’t successful due to a lack of gas, as it had escaped before reaching the flame. I also saw that we need more acid & we used 3 times more metal, then resulting in a successful experiment.
- Burning magnesium – This was the funnest experiment and the most successful. As the magnesium part came into contact with the fire. It transformed into an extremely bright light. Then, it resulted in a white powder at the end.
- Limewater test – This was an experiment where we had limewater in one tube & hydrochloric acid with a rock in the other. This experiment was us trying to get our limewater to a cloudy consistency
- Iron corrosion – For this experiment, we used four test tubes with an iron nail inside different environments that react and cause the iron to oxidise.
3. How can reactants from your experiment be used to predict products?
Word Equation:
Magnesium + Oxygen → Magnesium oxide
Symbol Equation:
2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO
Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal that reacts with oxygen when heated to form a metal oxide. This is typical, as metals usually form oxides with oxygen.
Word Equation:
Hydrogen + Oxygen → Water
Symbol Equation:
2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
Because hydrogen is flammable, we know that if it interacted with a flame while oxygen was present, it would react quickly. That’s why we predicted a sharp pop noise and the creation of water as the product.
Word Equation:
Calcium hydroxide + Carbon dioxide → Calcium carbonate + Water
Symbol Equation:
Ca(OH)₂ + CO₂ → CaCO₃ + H₂O
When CO₂ is bubbled into limewater, it forms insoluble calcium carbonate, turning the solution cloudy. This change is a common test for detecting carbon dioxide.
Iron + Oxygen + Water → Hydrated iron + oxide
The corrosion of iron is a well-known reaction. The presence of both water and oxygen is required for rust to form, and the process is greatly accelerated by the presence of salts or acids.