We had made molecules of reactants out of this kit we were given. We were supposed to make as many complete products of the reactants as we could. Basically, you had to write how many of the reactants we had used and the products that were created and if you could reduce it, then you were supposed to. An example would be Na+O2= Na2O. To balance the equation you need to add another product for there to be two oxygens. Now there are four sodiums so you have to make four of the sodiums. 4Na+O2=2Na2O.
During this lab, I learned the beginning of balancing equations, though it was more of a simpler version than what we were going to do later. I had remembered the Law of Conservation of Matter, how matter is neither destroyed nor created, which is an important rule for balancing equations.
2. Balancing Equations
I had already described the basics of balancing equations, but why do we have to balance equations? The reason is because we need to abide by the Law of Conservation of Matter. How do you do it?
1) Write the correct formula for each reactant and product. Diatomic molecules, such as H, N, O, F, Cl, Br, and I, need to be doubled, because they cannot stand alone, hence the reason they're called diatomic molecules.
2) Adjust the coefficients, so that the number of reactants matches the number of atoms in the products.
Some hints provided to me by my teacher are:
1)Adjust the coefficients of a single species, such as K or O2, last.
2)Sometimes the temporary use of a fraction/decimal is helpful.
3)If there are polyatomic ions on both sides of the arrow, balance them as units.
I think that this part of the unit was my favorite, because I love balancing equations. I like how I don't even need to use the steps to figure out the answer. I just use mental math to do so, though using the step by step does help and I do use it to check my answer. I liked learning how to balance equations and I love to do these for fun whenever I'm bored.
3. Predicting Products Lab
The point of this lab was to be able to predict the product of a chemical reaction using certain reactants. We were given instructions to do 9 different labs each using different reactants and figure out the product. We were supposed to use splint tests to figure out the gas product and litmus paper to figure out if the product was either a base, an acid, or neutral. We were also supposed to decide which energy was used, whether it was from system to surroundings or surroundings to system, and the reaction type, which we didn't know until the experiments was finished. Using all of this, you can predict the product.
We learned the gas tests, that you have H2 if the burning split pops, that you have O2 if a glowing splint reignites, and that you have CO2 if a burning split extinguishes. We learned about the litmus tests, that if it's an acid (HX) that the paper will turn red, that if it's a base (MOH) that the paper will turn blue, and that if it's a neutral (MX), there will be no change.
We also learned about the reaction types, the difference between a combination or synthesis, decomposition, single and double replacements, and finally combustion, which all are used during a daily lives, like if you take a shower using hot water that combustion is occurring.
I like this experiment, too. I just didn't understand it the first day. I only really liked it at first, because we were still balancing equations. Once we learned about the reaction types, though, I enjoyed this even more. It's interesting that you can predict a product.
