Metal or Nonmetal Lab

Metal or Nonmetal Lab

July 9, 2013

Juliet, Rio, Nora

Dr. Forman

Purpose: To explore several properties of seven different elements and then decide whether each element is a metal, a nonmetal, or a metalloid.

Background/Significance: After our group conducted the Metal or Nonmetal Lab, we learned many valuable lessons and confirmed whether each one is a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid. 

Abstract: Our group obtained much important information after completing this experiment. First, we realized the importance of following directions and working as a team in order to accomplish our goals. Each element has its own characteristics and even though some may seem extremely similar, major differences depend on if it is a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid. Without the proper attention to detail and much focus, we would not be able to comprehend the properties of these certain elements.

Procedure: 

1. Make a data table that will test each of the elements for various properties
2. Observe and record the appearance of each element including physical properties such as color, luster, and form
3. Observe and record the conductivity for each element. Hold two electrodes to the element and if the bulb lights up, then electricity is flowing through the sample and it is a conductor. If the bulb doesn't light up, then electricity is not flowing through the same and it is a nonconductor
4. Gently tap each element with a hammer to test the crushing property. If it flattens, then it is malleable, whereas if it shatters, it is brittle
5. Label the wells of a well-plate with the letters A-G and place a sample of each element into the well. Add 15 drops of copper (II) chloride to each well. Observe and record the reactions
6. Label the wells of a well-plate with the letters A-G and place a sample of each element into the well. Add 15 drops of hydrochloric acid to each well. Observe and record the reactions
7. Discard the well-plate and wash your hands

Results: Once we cautiously tested each of the seven element's properties, we were able to aggregate our data and present intriguing results. Element A was silver, solid, lustrous, a conductor, malleable, and when mixed with copper chloride, black and bronze particles formed around. From this, we concluded that it was a metal. Element B was silver, solid, lustrous, a conductor, malleable, greenish when mixed with copper chloride, and yellowish when mixed with hydrochloric acid. From this, we concluded that it was a metal. Element C was silver, solid, lustrous, a conductor, malleable, bronze when mixed with copper chloride, and fades out when mixed with hydrochloric acid. From this, we concluded that it was a metal. Element D was silver, solid, lustrous, metallic, a conductor, malleable, and has no reaction when mixed with either copper chloride or hydrochloric acid. From this, we concluded that it was a metal. Element E was charcoal, solid, lustrous, metallic, a nonconductor, brittle, and has no reaction when mixed with either copper chloride or hydrochloric acid. From this, we concluded that it was a nonmetal. Element F was bronze, luster, thin, a conductor, malleable, has no reaction when mixed with copper chloride, and starts to fade when mixed with hydrochloric acid. From this, we concluded that it was a metal. Element G was bluish silver, dull (not lustrous), nonmetallic, a conductor, brittle, dissolves partly and turns black when mixed with copper chloride, and forms gas bubbles when mixed with hydrochloric acid. From this, we concluded that it was a metalloid. An error we made along the way was not waiting the proper amount of time to observe the reactions. In order to fix this, we redid our previous work and spent 5 minutes watching the  effects.

Data Table

Element	Appearance	Conductivity	Crushing	Copper (II) Chloride Reaction	Hydrochloric Acid Reaction
A	Silver, solid, luster	Conductor (bulb lights up)	Malleable (flattens)	Black/bronze particles forming around	None
B	Silver, solid, luster	Conductor (bulb lights up)	Malleable (flattens)	Turns greenish	Turns yellowish
C	Silver, solid, luster	Conductor (bulb lights up)	Malleable (flattens)	Turns bronze	Starts to fade
D	Silver, solid, luster, metallic	Conductor (bulb lights up)	Malleable (flattens)	None	None
E	Charcoal, metallic, luster, solid	Nonconductor (bulb doesn't light up)	Brittle (shatters)	None	None
F	Bronze, luster, thin	Conductor (bulb lights up)	Malleable (flattens)	None	Starts to fade
G	Bluish silver, dull (not luster), nonmetallic	Conductor (bulb lights up)	Brittle (shatters)	Dissolves partly, turns black (charcoal-like)	Gas bubbles forming – chemical reaction

Pictures

Elements
Copper (II) Chloride Reaction
Hydrochloric Acid Reaction
Lab Steps

Class Data:

Questions:

1. Appearance for each element is a physical property. Conductivity is a physical property. Crushing is a chemical property. The copper chloride and acid reactions were both chemical.
2. Elements A, B, C, D, and F were conductors and malleable, while E and G were brittle.
3. G could fit into either group because it has properties of both, therefore it is a metalloid.
4. Metal, nonmetal, or metalloid? 

   A. Metal

   B. Metal

   C. Metal

   D. Metal

   E. Nonmetal

   F. Metal

   G. Metalloid