Metal or Nonmetal? Lab Report
Group: Nora, Juliet, and Rio
By Rio
Abstract:
In this experiment we explored the properties of seven elements to decide whether they were metals, nonmetals, or metalloids. We examined color, luster, and form of each of the elements. We also crushed the samples with a hammer and tested the substance's ability to conduct electricity. Then we determined reactivity of each element with two different solutions: copper (II) chloride, CuCl2(aq) and hydrochloric acid, HCl(aq). We tested looking for results in appearance, conductivity, crushing, reactivity, with the copper(II) chloride, and reactivity with acid.
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| OUr elements we used for the experiment |
1. Appearance
We observed the appearance of each element looking for physical properties including luster, color, and form.
Element A: Silver, solid, luster
Element B: Silver, solid, luster
Element C: Silver, solid, luster
Element D: Silver, solid, luster, metallic
Element E: Charcoal color, metallic, luster, solid
Element F: Bronze, luster, thin
Element G: Silver, bluish, dull, not luster or metallic
2. Conductivity
We used an electrical conductivity apparatus to test each sample looking for a conductor or a nonconductor.
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| Electrical conductivity |
Element B: Bulb lit up
Element C: Bulb lit up
Element D: Bulb lit up
Element E: Bulb did not light up
Element F: Bulb lit up
Element G: Bulb lit up
3. Crushing
We gently tapped each sample with a hammer to decide if the sample was malleable or brittle.
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| Crushing: malleability or brittle testing |
Element B: Malleable
Element C: Malleable
Element D: Malleable
Element E: Malleable
Element F: Malleable
Element G: Brittle
5. Reactivity with Copper(II) Chloride
We placed a sample of each element in a well then added 15-20 drops of 0.1 M copper(II) chloride (CuCl2) to each of the samples. Then we observed each system to see changes (which were slow!) The changes indicate a chemical reaction. We decided which elements reacted with the copper(II) chloride and which did not.
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| The copper(II) chloride reactivity |
Element B: Turned greenish
Element C: Turned bronze
Element D: None
Element E: None
Element F: None
Element G: Dissolved and turned partly black (charcoal color)
6. Reactivity with Acid
We repeated the steps with the other solution. Then, we added 15-20 drops to the samples (we were careful because the acid can attack skin!) The formation of gas bubbles indicated that a chemical reaction occurred (which occurred with us).
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| The reactivity with acid. |
Element A: None
Element B: Turned yellowish
Element C: Started to fade
Element D: None
Element E: None
Element F: Started to fade
Element G: Gas bubbles formed: a chemical reaction
Results:
Questions:
1. Classify each property tested in this investigation as either a physical property or a chemical property.
- Appearance
A: Physical
B. Physical
C. Physical
D. Physical
E. Physical
F. Physical
G. Physical
- Conductivity
A. Chemical
B. Chemical
C. Chemical
D. Chemical
E. Physical
F. Chemical
G. Chemical
- Crushing
A. Physical
B. Physical
C. Physical
D. Physical
E. Physical
F. Physical
G. Physical
- copper(II) chloride Reactivity
A. Chemical
B. Chemical
C. Chemical
D. Physical
E. Physical
F. Physical
G. Chemical
- Acid Reaction
A. Physical
B. Chemical
C. Chemical
D. Physical
E. Physical
F. Chemical
G. Chemical
2. Sort the 7 coded elements into two groups based on similarities in their physical and chemical properties.
Group A: Element A, Element B, Element C, Element D, Element F, Element G
Group B: Element E
3. Which element or elements could fit into either group? Why?
- Element F because because it fit with Element E pretty much, just a little less.
4. Classify each tested element as a metal or a nonmetal or a metalloid
- Element A: Metal
- Element B: Metal
- Element C: Metal
- Element D: Metal
- Element E: Non-metal
- Element F: Metal
- Element G: Metalloid
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