Sponge Tin Experiment!

1) Question-Which metals would create a tin sponge by reacting with Tin(II) Chloride?

2) Hypothesis-My hypothesis is that Aluminum and Zinc would create a tin sponge

3) Materials-

• • Tin(II) Chloride

  • Zinc (mossy)

  • Aluminum (mossy)

  • Calcium (mossy)

  • Tweazers

  • 3 Beakers

  • Labeling Tape

  • 3 Scoopers

  • Graduated Cylinder

4) Safety Regulations- Tin(II) Chloride is moderately toxic, it's a skin irritant and is corrosive. Zinc metal dust may be at the bottom of the bottle of mossy zinc sponge and its dust can be flammable. Wear chemical splash goggles, chemical resistant gloves and a chemical resistant apron.

5)Procedure-

1. Gather all your materials

2. Label the 3 beakers, eg Aluminum, Calcium, and Zinc

3. Use the scoopers and scoop 20-30 pieces (or just enough to cover the bottom of the beaker) of Zinc into the beaker labeled Zinc.

4. Repeat this with the Aluminum and Calcium

5. Measure 100mL of Tin(II) Chloride into a graduated cylinder and place it to the side next to the beaker with the Zinc

6. Repeat this two more times but place one graduated cylinder next to the beaker filled with Calcium and the other next to the beaker with Aluminum.

7. Take each graduated cylinder and pour it slowly into the beaker of compounds that it is next to.

8. Observe

6)Data Collection-

Zinc

Liquid- Tin(II) Chloride

Observation- Bubbles, warm, sponge starting to form

Calcium

Liquid- Tin(II) Chloride

Observation- Large bubbles, very hot

Aluminum

Liquid- Tin(II) Chloride

Observation- Bubbles, sponge starts to form, but forms faster than Zinc

7)Conclusion-In conclusion, my hypothesis was right, Aluminum and Zinc created a tin sponge. As the Zinc reacted with the Tin(II) Chloride, the zinc pieces were covered in tiny crystals. The solutions began to give off bubbles of hydrogen gas. THe gas continued to develop the tin sponge adn floated to the surface. And basically the same thing occurred with the Aluminum.