Mystery Powders from Mars

 

 

INTRODUCTION

         In this lab you will test and try to identify the physical and chemical properties of several unknown powder.  This lab will test your skills in terms of your ability to carefully test the chemicals to see what happens to them.  You will then need to take all the information you gather and match the properties to the chemical list below. One of these powders has a link to a mysterious powder from mars, listen in class for the explanation.

 

 

PROCEDURE

 

                The following is the list of chemical/physical properties of the chemicals that you will use.

 

CHEMICAL

WATER

TEST

IODINE

TEST

HEAT

TEST

ACID

TEST

PH

TEST

EXTRA

TEST

FLOUR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BAKING

SODA

 

 

 

 

 

 

CORNSTARCH

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUGAR

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARRAFIN

 

 

 

 

 

 

SALT

 

 

 

 

 

 

DETERGENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based on the tests that your group will do in this lab you should be able to guess the name of the unknown white powder that you started with.  If your group conducts the test carefully the table that your group crested should match the table above very closely.

 

Heating of the chemicals will be done in this lab so extra careful safety measures will be required when doing this lab.  Be sure and follow all the directions. 

 

Iodine Testing

 

    Place a several drops of iodine on each of the mystery powders. Use a spot plate for this process. Major changes with iodine will involve color.  Changes in texture may also happen but are not usually as visible.  Iodine testing is dangerous.  Iodine is a poison.

 

Heat Testing

 

   Place a small sample of the powder on the heating surface.  When instructed to do so apply heat to the heating surface and observe the changes. Changes in color and texture should be seen on some of the powders.  Look for changes in state as well.

 

Acid Testing

 

     Apply several drops of acid to the different powers.  This is done in the same way as the iodine test using the spot plates.  Acid can be dangerous so be careful as you use this chemical.  Observe any changes in the powders. 

 

Water Testing

 

     In this test you are looking to see if the powder will dissolve in water or not.  Follow the class instructions as to how to properly test for solubility.

 

PH Testing

 

    Tests the Parts of Hydrogen in a chemical. Chemicals that test above 7 are considered to be BASE chemicals, chemicals that test below seven are considered ACIDS. Chemicals that test at or slightly around seven are considered to be neutral. (generally water should be neutral) The Ph test needs to be done in the solution that was created from the water test.