Dr. Ratner
General Chemistry
Nail, Salt, and Copper (II) Sulfate Lab
Page 1 of 3
OBSERVING CHEMICAL REACTIONS
Introduction
The making of careful observations is an important skill in chemistry, in
conducting a science fair investigation, and in careers such as crime investigation,
and laboratory research. Careful observations should note surrounding conditions
such as location, temperature, the date and time, as well as descriptions of
quantities of material present, colors, odors, textures and other important details.
To gain observation skills, we “practice, practice, practice.”
For this lab, you will again use a set of chemicals to set up an experiment. You
will observe the experiment over the next few days and again later on in the
course. You must keep a detailed written record of all changes occurring within
the system over this four-day period. It is highly recommended that you draw an
illustration and label changes for each day. Please be accurate and specific in your
notes, as you will use this information later.
Materials
3 test tubes per group
box of sodium chloride (ice cream salt)
6 circles of filter paper
water wash bottles
3 iron nails per group
3 pieces of parafilm per group
1 piece steel wool
scale, weigh boats
Copper (II) sulfate (blue crystals)
Procedure
1. From the bottle of copper (II) sulfate, use a “scoopula” to measure
three or four (4) grams of blue crystals into a blue weigh boat after
zeroing the scale with the empty weigh boat.
2. Clean the weigh boat by tapping and scraping any excess copper (II)
sulfate back into the beaker for excess CuSO4.
3. Place 3-4 grams of copper (II) sulfate in the bottom of the test tube.
4. Take one piece of filter paper, wad it up, and use the scoopula to push
the paper into a layer on top of the blue crystals. The layer should be
even and 1/8 thick or less.
Revised 1/12/15 7:26 PM
Dr. Ratner
General Chemistry
Nail, Salt, and Copper (II) Sulfate Lab
Page 2 of 3
5. Measure about 5 grams of sodium chloride into a white weigh boat.
Pour this into the test tube on top of the first filter paper wad.
6. Using another piece the filter paper, make a second filter paper layer
of the same size (1/8 inch or less) and push it down on top of the
sodium chloride.
7. Carefully add water to just cover the salt and filter paper.
8. Take one iron nail. Polish the nail with steel wool. Rinse the polished
nail with tap water. Place the nail (head down) in the water on top of
the filter paper.
9. Fill the test tube with water to about an inch above the point of the
nail.
10. Cover the top of the test tube with the piece of parafilm.
11. Put the test-tube in a test tube rack.
12. Label the test tube with the name of one of your group members and
the words “Tube One”. Write down the contents of the label in your
notes.
13. Immediately observe and write down what you see in the test tube.
14. Sharing the work with your group partners, repeat the preceding
fourteen steps to prepare two more test tubes, as follows:
a. For the second test tube, you will do everything the same way
except that you will omit the sodium chloride.
b. For the third test tube, you will do everything the same way
except that you will omit the nail.
15. Label the second testube with a different lab members name and the
words “Tube Two”. Label the third tube with another lab members
name and the words “Tube Three”
Revised 1/12/15 7:26 PM
Dr. Ratner
General Chemistry
Nail, Salt, and Copper (II) Sulfate Lab
Page 3 of 3
16.Do not throw away weigh boats. Clean them and give them to your
teacher.
17.Record your observations you witnessed today. For guidance see the
table below.
18. On each of the next three (3) days, make and record daily
observations of all layers and any changes that occur.
Guided Lab Observations
Procedure: Summarize the steps you took: how you arranged the components in each test tube;
make a little drawing of the layers. Take special note of any steps you took that were different
from these instructions.
Observation 1: Describe what you saw in each tube immediately after sealing it with film and
putting it into the test tube rack. Describe what is now in each layer including making a note of
color and texture.
Observation 2: Describe what you saw in each tube nearer the end of the class period, after your
tube had sat for a while? Describe what is now in each layer including making a note of color
and texture.
Observation 3, 4, 5: Describe what you saw in each tube on the day after the experiment; then,
two days after, and three days after. Describe what is now in each layer including making a note
of color and texture.
Analysis: What do you think explains what has happened. Do you think there have been
chemical reactions and changes? Did eliminating the salt change anything? Did eliminating the
nail change anything?
Revised 1/12/15 7:26 PM