Lab 4 - Part II - Env Investigation

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University Of Dallas *

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2160

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Chemistry

Date

Jan 9, 2024

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docx

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NAME: CHAU DINH Lab Section: 1401-81800 ENVR 1401 -- EXERCISE Lab 4 – Part II – Environmental Investigation SAFETY CONCERNS: Chemical splash goggles must be worn by everyone in the lab while chemicals are out and in use. Safety glasses are not permitted as a substitute. Care should be taken to keep all lab materials away from the edge of the lab table where they could be knocked onto the floor and broken. Instructor should be alerted immediately if glass breakage occurs. Students are not to clean up broken glass. Instructor should be alerted immediately if a chemical spill occurs. Students are not to clean up chemical spills. Care should be taken to minimize inhaling chemical vapors by wafting. Care should be exercised when using Iodine solution as it may stain clothing and skin. DO NOT taste any substances being tested. Dispose of all waste from chemical testing ONLY as directed by lab instructor. Overview This activity explores the concept and application of the scientific method. In order to distinguish between association and true cause-effect relationships, phenomena must be investigated using designed experiments and careful observations that can be repeated by others. The Problem In the wake of the latest hurricane, every resource is being mobilized to help preserve resources and respond to needs in the impacted area. In a small town hard hit by the hurricane, there are several railroad boxcars containing ingredients desperately needed to produce the food products. Unfortunately, after the train was moved to a side track, it was discovered that one or two of these railcars were damaged during the hurricane as evidenced by white powder found alongside the tracks. A logical conclusion is that if the contents of the railcar could leak out, then contamination could also enter the railcar and pollute the contents. Records indicate that the railcars contained various food ingredients: sugars, salt, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and corn starch. An additional railcar contains Plaster of Paris to be used in building repairs. Your assistance is needed in identifying what railcar(s) may have been compromised and potentially contaminated. The results you obtain will help rescue workers decide which food ingredients (if any) to destroy and which may be safely used to help feed those in need. Materials: Vials of known rail car contents (1 set per group) Vial of unknown white powder (1 per group) Hand lens (max per group) Spatula (2 per group) Iodine solution (1 dropper bottle per group) Revised: August 7, 2019 1
Vinegar (1 dropper bottle per group) Dimple plate (1 per group) Grease Pencil (1 per group) Aluminum foil Stir-stick Distilled water and dropper Method : Observe and record your results on the Powder Analysis Chart for each identified powder. Remember you have a limited amount of each sample…. don’t waste any as you may need to run multiple or duplicate tests to confirm your results. Be careful to prevent cross-contamination of samples. Carefully clean the spatula (wash with water and dry with paper towel) before and after each use. Visual Observation: Using a clean spatula, take a small amount (a few grams) of each identified powder and examine it with the hand lens. Draw what it looks like on the Powder Analysis Chart (e.g., Does it look like a fine powder or have specific crystal shapes? What is the appearance of the crystals?). Vinegar Test: With a grease pencil, label the rows of the dimple plate for each identified powder. Using a clean spatula, place a small amount (a few grams) of each identified powder in one dimple of the respective row of the dimple plate. Carefully add one or two drops of vinegar and watch for any reaction or change that might occur. Record your findings. Iodine Test: Using a clean spatula, place a small amount (a few grams) of each identified powder in one dimple of the respective row of the dimple plate. Carefully add one or two drops of iodine and watch for any reaction or change that might occur. Record your findings. Texture Test: Using a clean spatula, place a small amount (a few grams) of each identified powder on a piece of aluminum foil. Feel the powder with your fingers to determine the texture. Is it gritty? Is it smooth? Describe and record your findings. Water Test: Using a clean spatula, place a small amount (a few grams) of each identified powder in one dimple of the respective row of the dimple plate. Carefully add a few drops of water and watch for any reaction or change that might occur. Use the stir-stick to mix the sample. Record your findings. TESTING THE UNKNOWN Carefully repeat each of the above steps for using a small amount (a few grams) of the unknown. Record all the results on your Powder Analysis Chart. o For each test, note whether a reaction occurs and, if so, describe what happens in detail, including changes over time while running each test. Identify the unknown based on the results you have obtained and complete the Laboratory Affidavit. List names of all lab group members; SIGN your own name. Note: You will have a different unknown than other lab groups, so conduct your own testing and draw your own conclusions. Your unknown may contain more than one powder, so be careful in conducting tests and making your observations. Revised: August 7, 2019 2
Powder Analysis Chart Railcar and Powder Drawing of Powder Vinegar Test Iodine Test Texture Test Water Test 1. Powdered sugar Fine powder Dissolving Color changes Purple Soft No reaction 2. Salt Crystal No changes No changes Crystal Clear 3. Baking Soda Fine powder Fizzy No reaction Rough No reaction 4. Baking Powder Fine powder Chemical changes No chemical changes Sand texture Bubbly 5. White Flour Powder Slow dissolve Color change Purple Rough No reaction 6. Corn Starch Chunky Liquidated Color change Purple light Soft No reaction 7. Plaster of Paris Chunky Bubbling Light yellow break down Soft No reaction Revised: August 7, 2019 3
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