Solution A: Dissolve 25.0 g sucrose and 30.0 g tartaric acid in 250 mL water.
Boil for 10 minutes, let cool then add 50 mL ethanol.
Dilute to 500 mL (0.15M sucrose, 0.040 M tartaric acid, 1.70 M ethanol)
Solution B Dissove 20.0 g of silver nitrate and 30.0 g of ammonium nitrate in distilled
water and dilute to 500 mL ( 0.24 M silver nitrate and 0.75 M ammonium
nitrate)
Solution CDissoslve 50.0 g sodium hydroxide in distilled water and dilute to 500 mL.
(2.50 M sodium hydroxide)
Silvered Mirror Bottle
We will be doing a replacement reaction to free the silver from silver nitrate. More specifically this is a redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction. We will be using three solutions for this reaction, all of which are dangerous, so use caution.
Solution A contains Sucrose, tartaric acid, and ethanol. This is the least dangerous of the three however acids are always dangerous.
Solution B contains ammonium nitrate and silver nitrate. Silver nitrate is caustic (burns skin) and it stains clothing. Do not spill this.
Solution C contains 2.5 M sodium hydroxide. This is a strong base that is also caustic. You will know you have spilled it on yourself if you feel very slippery.
Procedure:
1. Obtain and wear lab goggles and aprons.
2. Thoroughly clean and rinse the inside of a transparent glass bottle at least 3 times. Grease, oil, fingerprints or any soap residue will prevent silver from sticking to your bottle.
3. Rinse the inside of the bottle one final time with distilled water found in the squirt bottles at your lab station.
4. Clean the three beakers located at your station.
5. Obtain 5.0 mL of solutions A, B and C. Do not mix them together yet.
6. Add solutions A and B to your bottle and tightly cap it.
7. Shake the bottle so the two solutions mix, then slowly tilt and rotate the bottle for at least 3 minutes so the entire interior is coated with the solution.
8. Add solution C to the bottle and shake the bottle so the solutions mix.
9. Slowly tilt and rotate the bottle so the entire interior is coated with the new mixture. Slowly you will see a “film” coated the interior of the bottle. Continue until you see a continuous mirror.
10. STOP AS SOON AS SMOOTH CONTINOUS MIRROR COATS THE BOTTLE. If you go too long, the silver will start coming off creating dark spots.
11. Empty the contents of the bottle into the waste beaker in the fume hood.
12. Rinse the inside of the bottle with distilled water twice dumping the water into the waste beaker.
13. Cap your bottle, and allow it to dry. Do not drink out of the bottle ever!!!
14. Clean all beakers used and your lab station.
Questions:
1. What observations led you to believe a chemical change was taking place? (More than just color change needed).
2. Identify the type of reaction and balance the following equations
- AgNO3 + Mg → Mg(NO3)2+ Ag
- Al(OH)3 + H2CO3 → Al2(CO3)3 + H2O
- O2 + Fe → Fe2O3
- C5H12 + O2 → CO2 + H2O