Powder Analysis

Safety Reminders:

Wear goggles during lab. Wash your hands after the lab and if/when they come in direct contact with the substances.

Always keep the lids securely on the powders and liquids.

Be careful not to cross-contaminate the powders or the liquids.

Procedure:

Test 1: Size, Shape, Color

• Place a SMALL AMOUNT of the powder in the appropriate wells.

• Observe the particles with a hand lens. Use the black construction paper as a background this will allow for a better contrast when viewing.

• Record observations in the data table.

Test 2: Water and pH

• Place a SMALL AMOUNT of powder on the spot plate well for water.

• Add 2 drops of water to the powder, stir with a wood splint, and take the pH of the mixture of water and powder.

• Record observations such as fizzing, bubbling, solubility and any other reactions to water.

• Record the pH.

• A soluble powder will form a homogeneous solution with water, while an insoluble powder will remain as a separate from the liquid.

Test 3: Reaction to Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)

• Do not conduct a pH test with the HCl.

• Place a SMALL AMOUNT of powder on the spot plate well for HCl.

• Add 1-2 drop of HCl to the powder, stir with a wood splint and break off the tip.

• Record observations such as fizzing, bubbling, solubility and any other reactions.

Test 4: Reaction to Iodine Solution

• Do not conduct a pH test with the iodine solution.

• Place a SMALL AMOUNT of powder in the spot plate well for iodine.

• Add 1-2 drop of iodine to the powder, stir with a wood splint and break off the tip.

• Record observations such as fizzing, bubbling, solubility, color changes and any other reactions.

Record other observation in the last column.

Clean up:

• Check to make sure the lids on are secure.

• Wash, rinse and dry the spot plate well. If you do not, you will affect the results for the next lab group.

• Return all items to their original locations.

Record information in a data table similar to the one below.