Acid and Base Reaction

Experiment - Producing Salts

Aim:
I want to produce copper sulfate salts by reacting copper oxide with an acid.

Equipment:
Copper oxide powder, dilute (1.0 mol L) sulfuric acid, 50 mL measuring cylinder, two 100 mL beakers, Bunsen burner, tripod, gauze mat, funnel, filter paper, thermometer, spatula, evaporating basin, stirring rod.

Method:
1. Add 20 mL of sulfuric acid to a 100 mL beaker. Heat the acid untill it reaches 70 degrees. Turn off your Bunsen burner. Do not boil the acid.

2. Once heated, use a spatula to add pea-sized portions of copper oxide to the beaker. Stir the mixture for 30 seconds.
3. Repeat step 2 until no more will dissolve. Allow the beaker to cool.

4. Fold the filter paper and place it in the funnel. Place the filter funnel into the second beaker.

5. Make sure the beaker is cool enough to hold at the top. The contents should still be hot.
6. Gently swirl the contents of the beaker to mix, and then pour into the filter paper in the funnel. Allow to filter through.

7. Rinse the beaker you used to heat the mixture previously, and place it back on top of your tripod filled with 50-60 mL of water.
8. Place the evaporating basin on top of this beaker and carefully pour some of the solution from the other beaker into the evaporating basin.
9. Gently heat the beaker until the solution in the evaporating basin has reduced by half.
10. Leave the evaporating basin to cool. Once cool, move the evaporating basin to a warm place where it will not be disturbed (e.g. a window-sill) and observe over the next few days.