Reactivity of Metal Carbonates

Reactivity of Metal Carbonates

AIM:   To determine if there is a difference in the rate of reaction of different metal carbonates with acid. This is achieved by reacting specific metal carbonates with HCl to determine the amount of CO2 produced in 10 seconds and therefore rate of reaction.
HYPOTHESIS: The sodium carbonate will be the most reactive metal carbonate (produce the most CO2 in a ten second time period) as it is the most reactive metal in the metal reactivity series.
EQUIPMENT:
side arm test tube
rubber stopper – to fit side arm test tube
2cm2 of plasticine
35ml syringe
1 g of sodium carbonate
1g of copper carbonate
1g of magnesium carbonate
30 ml of HCl – Hydrochloric acid
Stopwatch
30cm of 5mm plastic tubing
test tube holder
25ml measuring cylinder
Electronic scales with an accuracy to at least one decimal place
DIAGRAM OF EQUIPMENT

VARIABLES:
Controlled Independent Dependant
The amounts of carbonate and acid -1g to 10ml The type of carbonate being tested, Sodium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate or Copper Carbonate The reaction rate of the carbonate – the amount of C02 produced over a 10 second time period
The equipment used for each experiment, after being rinsed by distilled water
The same person timing the experiments
The temperature under which the experiment is conducted

SAFETY:
Ensure that appropriate safety gear is worn at all times and that care is taken to not spill any of the chemicals. The stoppered side arm test tube should be pointed away from people at all times and should be properly sealed before the procedure is conducted.
METHOD:
1. Measure out 1g of sodium carbonate using the electronic scales
2. Place the carbonate into the side arm test tube
3. Connect the 35ml syringe to the side arm test tube using the 30cm of 5mm diameter plastic tubing
4. Use the plasticine to create an airtight seal on either end of the plastic tubing, around the end of the syringe and the end...