Stoichiometry

Mole Stoichiometry Lab

Name: ___________________

In this lab exercise, you will let iron nails react with a solution of copper (II) chloride. When the reaction is finished, you will determine the mass of iron used and the mass of copper metal produced. You will then present the data in a more useful form: the ratio of moles of iron used to the moles of copper produced. The reaction you will observe is as follows:

Fe _(s) + CuCl_{2 (aq)} FeCl_{2 (aq)} + Cu _(s)

Procedure:

Day 1

1. Place a clean dry beaker on a balance and reset the balance by pressing "tare". The add 8.50 grams of copper (II) chloride. If using the pan balance, you will have to pre-set the balance after finding the mass of the beaker.

2. Obtain 2 clean, dry nails. Buff the nails with sand paper to remove the lacquer. Then find the mass of both of the nails together. Record the mass on the data table.

3. Add about 50 ml of tap water to the copper (II) chloride and stir the mixture until all crystals dissolve.

4. Drop the nails in the solution and add more water until both of the nails are covered by the solution. Label the beaker with your name and put the beaker at the back of the lab for overnight.

Day 2

1. Obtain your beaker. Notice how the color has changed! Carefully decant (pour) the iron (II) chloride solution covering the nails from the beaker into the sink. Do not lose any copper!

2. Using a pair of tongs, pick up each nail (one at a time). Using a slow stream of water from a bottle, wash all of the copper from the nails into the beaker.

3. Dry the nails with paper towel. Find their mass together and record in the data table.

4. Find the mass of a piece of filter paper, record its mass, and insert the paper into a funnel.

5. Pour the copper and solution into the funnel. Be careful not to overflow the paper.

6. Using distilled water wash the copper by filling the funnel. Do this twice. (You must do this to wash the iron (II) chloride from the copper.)

7. Wash the copper with 25 ml of HCl. (This will dissolve any remaining iron filings)

8. Wash again with water. Then carefully remove the paper with the copper, unfold, and set on a sheet of paper towel to dry overnight

Day 3

1. Find the mass of your filter paper and copper.

2. Empty copper into beaker at front of lab.

Data:

Processing the Data