Module 4; Making and Naming Ionic Compounds
Introduction
Elements/Compounds
Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Types of matter can be organized into
several different categories. Pure substances are those that cannot be physically separated into
different substances. Compounds are substances that can be separated into simpler
substances only through chemical reactions. Salts, proteins, sugar, and dyes are all examples
of compounds. Elements are the simplest form of matter that can be obtained through chemical
reaction. The elements are all shown on the periodic table and include copper, gold, oxygen,
and sulfur.
Reactions
Chemical reactions are processes in which one set of chemicals combine to form another set of
chemicals. The initial set of chemicals are called reactants and the final set of chemicals are
called products. Sometimes, it is not obvious that a chemical reaction has taken place. More
often, however, there is a change in color, texture, shape, temperature, or other property to
indicate that a reaction has occurred.
Reactions with copper to make ionic compounds
In the first three reactions you will observe the synthesis of ionic compounds from copper and
one other element. Pennies will be the source of copper.
Reactions with oxygen to make ionic compounds
In the last three reactions, you will observe the synthesis of oxides (compounds with oxygen).
Oxygen in the air will be the source of oxygen. Oxygen in the air is diatomic, O 2. Sometimes
reactions need a “push” to get started. Usually this push comes in the form of heat, which gives
the reactants a burst of energy to start the reaction. The reactions forming oxides will need heat;
which will be provided by a Bunsen burner flame to get the reaction started. The flame is NOT a
reactant – it is energy used to get the reaction started.
Nomenclature
When the compounds are made in the demonstrations, you will also write the formulas and
names for them. When naming compounds, first determine if the compound is ionic or covalent.
Covalent compounds do not have a metal in them. Prefixes are used to name covalent
compounds (carbon dioxide for CO2 and Dinitrogen pentoxide for N2O5). If the compound is
ionic, determine if the metal is a fixed metal or a variable metal. If it’s a fixed metal, name the
compound without any prefixes or Roman numerals (sodium chloride for NaCl, potassium nitride
for K3N). If the metal is a variable metal, find the charge on that metal and use a Roman
numeral to show the charge (Nickel (III) chloride for NiCl3, Nickel (II) oxide for NiO).
Note: In this lab, you will be observing four demonstrations from YouTube and doing one
“kitchen” experiment. You will need the following materials for your experiment: Ziploc bag,
penny, bleach, vinegar.
1
Pre-Lab Exercise.
Use the periodic table to answer the pre-lab questions below.
Na3N N2O4 CoF3 CF4 Pb3N2 KI S4 N 2
1) Provide the NAME (not the formula) of all the compounds above that are covalent:
Trisodium nitrogen, dinitriogen tetroxide, Cobalt (III) trifluorine, carbon tetrofluorine, trilead
dinitrogen, potassium monoiodine, tetro sulfur dinitrogen.
2) Provide the NAME (not the formula) of all the ionic compounds with fixed metals.
Identify the charge on each of those fixed metals (don’t forget that a charge has both a
sign and number such as +1 or -3).
Sodium nitide +1, , potassium iodide +1
3) Provide the NAME (not the formula) of all the ionic compounds with a variable metal.
Identify the charge on each of those variable metals (don’t forget that a charge has both a
sign and number such as +1 or -3).
Cobalt (III) fluoride +3, lead (II) nitride. +2
2
Data and Data Analysis
In the following reactions, you will observe the combination of metals with nonmetals to make compounds:
What kind of compounds will they be (ionic or covalent)? Ionic
The names of some of some of the ionic compounds will NOT have Roman Numerals in them. Why not?
Because the metals involved have only one possible charge.
The names of some of the ionic compounds you make will have Roman Numerals in them.
Why? Because the metals can have multiple oxidation states, indicating their charge.
To determine the Roman Numeral, you need to know the charge on the metal in the compound.
NOTE: Here’s how you determine the charge of copper in an ionic compound based on appearance:
Colorless copper compounds (including white) have copper (I) ions.
Colored copper compounds (red, black, green, blue) have copper (II) ions.
Exception: the red copper-oxygen product has a copper (I) ion.
COPPER AND CHLORINE
PROCEDURES OBSERVATIONS INFERENCES
Watch the following demonstration What color are the reactants: The new color is due to the product
and answer the questions in columns 2 created when copper (from copper
and 3. You will see the demonstration Bleach: Colorless sheet) and chlorine (from bleach)
follow this procedure: form an ionic compound that drips
Sulfuric Acid: Colorless back into the bottle.
1) Bleach is in the bottle at the
beginning of the reaction. Copper sheet: Brown What is the charge on the copper in
2) Sulfuric acid is dripped into the your new ionic compound? (see
bottle. At first chlorine gas is highlighted note above)
3) Chlorine gas (Cl2) is produced produced. What color is the
and trapped in the bottle. chlorine gas? Yellow-green +2
4) A copper sheet is heated.
5) The hot copper sheet is then When the chlorine gas is Name the ionic compound formed:
placed in the bottle with the produced, is that a physical or
chlorine gas. chemical change? Copper(II) chloride
Chemical change Write the formula for the ionic
compound you formed:
[Link] Then the copper and chlorine
LpxdERQZc react. What color is that CuCl₂
product? Blue
3
COPPER AND SULFUR
PROCEDURES OBSERVATIONS INFERENCES
What color is the product? The new color is an ionic compound
Watch the following demonstration that formed when copper (from the
and answer the questions in columns 2 Black wire) reacted with sulfur. What is
and 3. You will see the demonstration the charge on the copper ion in your
follow this procedure: How is the product different new ionic compound? (see
1) Sulfur is put into a (dirty) test than copper wire other than highlighted note above)
tube. What color is the sulfur? being a different color? +2
Yellow The product is a compound
2) A piece of copper wire is held with different physical Name the ionic compound you
in the test tube. What color is properties (e.g., texture, formed:
the copper wire? Brown solubility) compared to the
3) The test tube is heated with a elemental copper wire. Copper(II) sulfide
Bunsen burner. Observe the Is this a physical or a chemical Write the formula for the ionic
copper wire during the change? compound you formed:
reaction.
4) The product is removed. Chemical change CuS
[Link]
u-0ACrMsQ
COPPER AND OXYGEN
PROCEDURES OBSERVATIONS INFERENCES
Watch the following demonstration What color flame did you see? Provide the formula and name for
and answer the questions in columns 2 (Flame is energy, not matter, both products. (Remember the
and 3. In this demonstration, a copper released by excited ions): exception in the highlighted note
sheet is folded into an envelope. (The above.)
purpose of this is that the “inside” Yellow
copper will get less oxygen than the The copper turns two different - Less oxygen:Cu₂O (Copper(I)
“outside” copper.) colors. oxide)
It is held over a flame and heated. - More oxygen: CuO (Copper(II)
What color is the inside of the oxide)
copper sheet which got less
[Link] oxygen?
ZxJG8xMmQ Red
What color is the inside of the
copper sheet which got more
oxygen?
Black
4
IRON AND OXYGEN (steel wool and air)
PROCEDURES OBSERVATIONS INFERENCES
Watch the following demonstration The iron (steel wool) reacted Fe by itself (the steel wool), has no
and answer the questions in columns with oxygen to make rust, charge. What is the charge on the Fe
2 and 3. In the demonstration (with Fe2O3. in the rust, Fe2O3 ?
no sound), iron (steel wool) is heated
and then dropped into a flask with What color was the iron (Fe) +3
oxygen in it. you started with?
Gray Provide the name of Fe2O3.
[Link]
E1uVjrY0w What color was the product?
Red-brown Iron(III) oxide
Is the process of “rusting” a
physical or chemical change?
Chemical change
HOME EXPERIMENT
PROCEDURES OBSERVATIONS INFERENCES
You will need: bleach, Ziploc bag, Record your observations What do you think happened in this
vinegar, penny. from the experiment: experiment? Be specific using what
- The penny may begin to you learned from the previous four
Place a penny in the corner of a plastic change color, possibly turning reactions in this lab.
bag. Add ½ tsp of household bleach to blue. In this experiment, the combination
the corner of the bag with the penny. - There could be bubbling or of bleach (which contains chlorine)
(CAUTION: bleach contains a highly fizzing as the vinegar reacts and vinegar (acetic acid) creates a
reactive form of chlorine. Handle with
with the bleach. chemical reaction that leads to the
care.) Next, add ¼ tsp of vinegar.
- The solution in the bag may oxidation of the copper in the penny.
Squeeze the excess air from the bag and become cloudy or discolored. This process may result in the
seal it. Allow the liquid to stay in formation of copper(II) chloride or
contact with the penny for several other copper compounds, which can
minutes. Observe the contents of the give the penny a green or bluish tint.
bag and record your observations. This reaction is similar to the
previous experiments where copper
reacted with nonmetals (like sulfur
and chlorine), resulting in the
formation of different ionic
compounds. The color changes
observed are indicative of the new
compounds created during the
reaction. The presence of chlorine
and acid accelerates the oxidation
5
process, which explains the rapid
change in the penny's appearance.
CLEAN UP
Take a picture of your penny in
the bag and attach it to your lab
work. You must show a photo
ID in the picture you submit
to get credit for this
experiment.
To clean up, dilute the liquids
with water and wash down the
drain. Throw away the bag
and the penny.
Post Lab Questions
Consider an experiment in which a drop of I2 is placed on a penny. After 10 minutes, the I2 is
wiped away. A white spot remains on the penny.
1. What is the charge on the copper in your product? +2
2. What is the name and formula of your copper product? Copper(II) iodide; CuI₂
