10th PRACTICAL EXPERIMENTS

Experiment 1. A
AIM

To find the pH of the following samples by using pH paper/universal indicator:

1. Dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl)

2. Dilute sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution
3. Dilute ethanoic acid (CH3COOH) solution
4. Lemon juice
5. Water
6. Dilute sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) solution.

MATERIALS REQUIRED

Test tubes, test tube stand, droppers or glass rod, pH paper/universal indicator, standard colour
chart, glazed white tile and samples of dil. HCl, dil. NaOH, dil. ethanoic acid (acetic acid/vinegar),
lemon juice, distilled water and dil. sodium bicarbonate solution.

THEORY

1. pH is the measure of hydrogen ion concentration of a solution.

2. The hydrogen ion concentration (H+) for an acidic solution is always greater than 10-7 mol
L-1 and its pH is, therefore, always less than 7.
3. The hydrogen ion concentration of a basic solution is always less than 10-7 mol L-1 and,
therefore, its pH is always greater than 7.
4. The hydrogen ion concentration of a neutral solution is 10-7 mol L-1 and, therefore, its pH is
7.
5. The pH of a solution can be measured by using a pH paper, universal indicator or pH meter.

PROCEDURE
 1. Take the given solutions in separate test tubes marked as A, B, C, D, E and F and keep them
in the test tube stand.

2. Take six strips of pH paper and place them on a glazed white tile.
3. Using a dropper or a glass rod, place a drop of the test solution on the pH paper.
4. Note the colour developed on the pH paper and compare it with the colour chart of the pH
paper.
5. Record the pH value corresponding to the colour.
6. Similarly, using a fresh dropper each time, perform the experiment with the remaining test
samples using a fresh strip of pH paper.
7. Record your observations as indicated in the table below.
8. For using a universal indicator, add a few drops of universal indicator to each of the test
tubes with the test solutions.
9. Note the colour of each solution and compare it with the colour on the indicator bottle.
10. Record your observations.

OBSERVATION TABLE

RESULT

1. The pH of dilute solutions of hydrochloric acid, ethanoic acid and lemon juice is less than 7
and therefore, they are acidic in nature.
 2. The pH of dilute solutions of sodium hydroxide and sodium bicarbonate is more than 7 and
therefore, these solutions are basic in nature.
3. The pH of water is 7 and therefore, it is neutral in nature.

PRECAUTIONS

1. Mark the test tubes carefully.

2. Use distilled water for preparing solutions.
3. Use only standard colour charts supplied with the pH paper for assessing the pH value.
4. Do not touch the pH paper with unclean and wet hands.
5. Keep the pH paper away from chemical fumes. .
6. Do not touch or taste the solutions.
7. Clean the glass rod/dropper properly before reusing.
8. Do not waste pH paper.

EXPERIMENT 1.B

Aim

To study the properties of acids and bases (dilute HCl and dilute NaOH) by their reaction with

(a) Litmus solution (Blue/Red) (b) Zinc metal (c) Solid sodium carbonate

Theory

Hydrochloric acid

> Chemical formula of hydrochloric acid is HCl.

> When it is dissolved in water; releases H+(aq) ions, these H+ ions cannot exist alone. Hence, it combines
with water to form H3O+ (aq) ions.

> The acidic property is seen due to this H+(aq) ions/H3O+ ions.

Properties of hydrochloric acid

> It turns the blue litmus solution red.

> Hydrochloric acid reacts with metals to release hydrogen gas.

> Test for H2 gas: When a burning splinter is brought near the mouth of the test tube releasing H2 gas, it
bums with a ‘pop sound’.

> Hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium carbonate to release CO2 gas.

> Test for CO2 gas: When CO2 gas is allowed to pass through freshly prepared lime water, then the lime
water turns milky or when a burning splinter is brought near the mouth of the test tube releasing CO2 gas
then the burning splint is extinguished.

Sodium hydroxide

> Chemical formula of sodium hydroxide is NaOH.

> When it is dissolved in water it releases OH– ions.

Properties of Sodium hydroxide

> It turns the red litmus solution blue.

> Not all bases react with zinc metal to release H2 gas but sodium hydroxide solution reacts with zinc
metal to release hydrogen gas.

> Sodium hydroxide does not react with solid sodium carbonate.
Materials Required

A test tube stand, test tubes, match box, test tube holder, droppers, a bent delivery tube, burner and cork.

Chemicals required: Dilute hydrochloric acid, dilute sodium hydroxide, blue litmus solution, red litmus
solution, zinc metal granules or powdered zinc, solid sodium carbonate and freshly prepared lime water.

Procedure

(A) Properties of Hydrochloric Acid

Experiment Observation Inference

1. Litmus Test: Take two clean test Blue litmus solution turns red in Dil. HCl shows acidic

tubes. Pour 1 mL of dilute HCl the first test tube. character.

solution in each test tube. Pour a

drop of blue litmus in one test Red litmus solution shows no

tube and a drop of red litmus change in the second test tube.

solution in the second test tube.

2. Reaction with Zinc Metal : Take 1 Zinc metal reacts with the acid. Zinc + dil. HCl →

mL of dilute HCl in a clean test Test tube becomes warm and

tube. Add a small piece of zinc pressure is exerted on the thumb Zinc chloride + Hydrogen gas

metal/ zinc powder in it. due to the release of a gas.

Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) →

The matchstick bums with a pop

sound.
ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
 Light a matchstick and bring it Hydrogen gas always bums

near the mouth of the test tube, with a pop sound when a

remove the thumb and observe. lighted matchstick is

introduced in it.

3. Reaction with Sodium Carbonate : Dilute HCl reacts with sodium (i) Na2CO3 + 2HCl →

Take a clean test tube. Add 2 mL carbonate to release a colorless

of dilute HCl. Now add lg/pinch of gas. The gas turns lime water 2NaCl + H20 + CO2

sodium carbonate in it. milky.

Immediately close the mouth with

(ii)Ca(OH)2+CO2 →
a cork containing a delivery tube.

Hold a test tube with lime water at

Lime waterCaCO3 +H2O
the other end of the delivery tube.

White insoluble ppt

(B) Properties of Sodium Hydroxide

Experiment Observation Inference

1. Litmus Test : Take two clean test Blue litmus solution shows no Dil. NaOH shows basic

tubes. Pour 1 mL of dilute NaOH in change. character.

each test tube. Add a drop of blue

litmus solution in one test tube Red litmus solution changes to

and a drop of red litmus solution in blue color.

the second test tube.

2. Reaction with Zinc Metal: Take a On heating the mixture; reaction Zn(s) + 2NaOH(aq)

clean test tube. Add zinc metal begins, colorless gas is evolved.

granules/zinc powder in it. Pour 2 Na2ZnO2(aq) + H2(g)

mL of NaOH solution in the tube. The burning matchstick bums with Hydrogen gas always bums

Hold the test tube with a test tube a ‘pop’ sound. with a pop sound.

holder and heat it. Bring a burning

matchstick near the mouth of the

test tube.

3. Reaction with Solid Sodium No change. Dil. NaOH doesn’t react with

Carbonate : Take a clean test tube. sodium carbonate.

Add 2 mL of NaOH solution in a

tube and 1 g of sodium carbonate.

Heat the mixture.

Precaution

1. Use clean test tubes.

2. Use very small amounts of chemicals.
3. Handle hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solutions very carefully.
 4. Shake the solutions and reaction mixtures carefully without spilling.
5. Always carry out the test for hydrogen with a very small volume of gas.
6. For the H2 gas test, be careful as H2 catches fire. The flame on the test tube can be seen due
to H2 gas.
7. For the lime water test, allow the CO2 gas to pass through lime water and shake the test tube
by placing a thumb on the mouth of the tube to get a quick result.

EXPERIMENT 2

Aim

To perform and observe the following reactions and classify them into:

(a) Combination reaction (b) Decomposition reaction

(c) Displacement reaction (d) Double displacement reaction.

1. Action of water on quick lime.

2. Action of heat on ferrous sulphate crystals.

3. Iron nails kept in copper sulphate solution.

4. Reaction between sodium sulphate and barium chloride solutions.

Theory

Action of water on quick time

> Quick lime is calcium oxide (CaO). It combines with water to form calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] also
called as slaked lime.

> Two substances are combining to form one product, hence it is a combination reaction.
> Heat is released in the reaction, hence it is called an exothermic reaction.

> Slaked lime solution turns red litmus blue, hence it is basic in nature.

> The freshly prepared slaked lime is also called lime water.

> It turns milky when carbon dioxide gas is passed through it.

Action of heat on ferrous sulphate crystals

> Ferrous sulphate crystals are light green in colour. The colour is due to the water of crystallization.

> On heating the crystals of ferrous sulphate, it undergoes following changes:

> The colour changes to brown and gases are released due to the formation of new compounds.

> Single compound decomposes to form three new compounds, hence it is called a decomposition
reaction.

> SO2 and SO3 gas turns moist blue litmus paper into red, hence it is acidic in nature.

> SO2 shows reducing property: It changes the orange colour of acidified potassium dichromate to green
when SO2 gas is allowed to pass through it.

> Water of crystallization is released by the crystals.

> SO2 gas has a choking smell, do not inhale the gas, keep the mouth of the test tube away from your face.

Iron nails kept in copper sulphate solution

> Iron nails when kept in blue coloured solution of copper sulphate, shows following changes:
(a) The blue colour solution changes slowly into light green colour.

(b) Fe2+ ions replace Cu2+ ions and form iron sulphate in the solution, hence, this is called a displacement
reaction.

(c) Iron nail gets the deposit of reddish copper ions on it.

(d) Fe atoms form Fe2+ ions by loss of electrons and undergoes oxidation and Cu2+ ions gain electrons to
become Cu atoms and undergo reduction.

Reaction between sodium sulphate and barium chloride solutions

> Sodium sulphate solution and barium chloride solution are colourless.

> Mixing of both the solutions gives white colour precipitate due to the formation of barium sulphate

> The exchange of ions takes place in the reaction and is called a double displacement reaction.

> Barium sulphate is insoluble in water and hence it forms precipitate.

Materials Required

A beaker, four test tubes, test tube holder, tongs, test tube stand, a dropper, a piece of sandpaper and
bunsen burner. Chemicals required: A small piece of quick lime, ferrous sulphate crystals, iron nails (clean
and unrusted), copper sulphate solution, sodium sulphate solution, barium chloride solution and distilled
water.
Precautions

1. Do not touch quicklime with your hands, use tongs.

2. Mixing quicklime and water releases a large amount of heat, so add water drop by drop and
use a borosil beaker.
3. For heating, use hard glass tubes.
4. Never inhale any gas, just waft the gas.
5. Do not touch any chemicals with your hands.
6. Keep the mouth of the test tube away from your face while heating.
7. The iron nails must be cleaned properly by using sand paper before dipping them in copper
sulphate solution.
 EXPERIMENT 3

Aim

(i) To observe the action of Zn, Fe, Cu and Al metals on the following salt solutions:

(a) ZnSO4(aq.)

(b) FeSO4(aq.)

(c) CuSO4 (aq.)

(d) Al2(SO4)3(aq.)

(ii) Arrange Zn, Fe, Cu and Al metals in the decreasing order of reactivity based on the above result.

Theory

> Reactivity series: The arrangement of metals in decreasing order of their reactivity is called reactivity
series. The most reactive metal displaces the less reactive metal from its salt solution.

> Metal salts are coloured

> Reaction of Metals with Salt Solution

(i) Salt solution CuSO4.

As Al, Zn and Fe can displace Cu from its salt solution hence, all three are more reactive than Cu.

(ii) Salt solution FeSO4.

As Zn and Al can displace Fe from its salt solution hence, Zn and A1 are more reactive than Fe but Cu is
less reactive than Fe.

(iii) Salt solution ZnSO4.

As only Al metal displaces Zn from its salt solution hence, Al is the most reactive metal among Al, Zn, Fe
and Cu.

Al > Zn > Fe > Cu.

Materials Required
Four clean test tubes, marker, a piece of sandpaper and test tube stand.

Chemicals required: Aluminium sulphate solution, copper sulphate solution, zinc sulphate solution, iron
sulphate solution, metal strips of iron, zinc; copper and aluminium.

Procedure

> Reaction with CuSO4 solution:

1. Take four clean test tubes.

2. With a marker label them as A, B, C and D.

3. Take copper sulphate solution in each test tube.

4. Dip a small, clean piece of aluminium, zinc, iron and copper metals in test tubes A, B, C and D
respectively.

5. Record your observations.

Conclusion: Al, Zn and Fe metals are more reactive than Cu. Hence, Cu is the least reactive metal among
the given four metals.

> Reaction with FeSO4 solution:

1. Take four clean test tubes, labeled as A, B, C, and D.

2. Take FeSO4 (aq) solution in each test tube.

3. Dip small, clean pieces of aluminium, zinc, iron and copper metals in test tube A, B, C and D respectively.
4. Record your observations.

Conclusion: Al and Zn metals are more reactive than Fe and Cu.

> Reaction with ZnSO4 solution:

1. Take test tubes A, B, C, and D, clean them.

2. Add ZnSO4 solution in each test tube.

3. Dip small, clean pieces of Al, Zn, Fe and Cu metal in test tube A, B, C and D respectively.

4. Record your observations.

Conclusion: Al metal is more reactive than Zn metal.

> Reaction with Al2(SO4)3 solution:

1. Take test tubes A, B, C, and D and clean them.

2. Add Al2(SO4)3 solutions in each test tube.

3. Dip small, clean pieces of Al, Zn, Fe and Cu metal in test tubes A, B, C and D respectively.
4. Record your observations.

Conclusion: Al metal is not displaced by any of the given metals i.e. Al, Zn, Fe and Cu.

Hence, Al metal is the most reactive metal among the given metals.

1. Al is not displaced by any of the four metals from its salt solution, hence, Al is at the top of the reactivity
series.

2. Al can displace Zn from its salt solution but no other metal could displace it. Hence, the reactivity order
is Al > Zn.

3. Al and Zn metals can displace Fe metal from its salt solution but Cu cannot.

Hence, the arrangement of metals in decreasing reactivity order is

Al > Zn > Fe > Cu.

I. CuSO4 solution in each test tube.

II. FeSO4 solution in each test tube.

III. ZnSO4 solution in each test tube.

IV. Al2(SO4)3 solution in each test tube.

Precautions

1. Clean the metals by rubbing them with a piece of sandpaper before dipping them in the salt solutions.
2. Wash the test tubes after every set of observations of interaction of a particular metal with the four salt
solution.

3. Use very little saturated solution of copper sulphate, aluminium sulphate, iron sulphate and zinc
sulphate.

4. Use very small pieces of metal every time.

5. Do not touch any chemicals.