Experiment 1: What Could Go Wrong?

Question 1

Using the wrong container

Answer 1

• an Erlenmeyer flask has sloped walls and a narrow neck that is designed to keep thinks in, but in reaction 1, we want the gas to be released
• using a flask instead of a beaker can increase the time required for getting all the gas out of the solution in this step

Question 2

Not stirring during the heating of Cu(OH)2

Answer 2

Bumping could occur, bubbles will form under the precipitate, and large amounts of the reaction materials could be ejected forcefully from the beaker

Question 3

Adding the wrong acid

Answer 3

Different solution will be formed, different colour change will occur

Question 4

Loss of product during filtration

Answer 4

• there are many things that can cause solid CuO to be drawn into the filtrate solution during vacuum filtration
• using a filter paper that is too small
• a crease/fold in paper
• not wetting paper to seal it to the Buchner funnel

Question 5

Loss of product during decanting

Answer 5

• some solid copper may be lost during decanting step and copper that needs to be recovered will be in waste container