Metal or Nonmetal?

Metal or Nonmetal Lab

7.9.13

Group Lithium: Nicolette, Nina, and Makena

It's no myth, just call us Lith. 

Dr. Forman

Abstract:
     The purpose of this lab report was to examine the different unknown elements, and find out if each metal is a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid. These tests were testing appearance, conductivity, reactivity, and malleability. Throughout this entire experiment, we had to really focus on our results as a group and examine each element throughout the process. We all had to be very aware throughout the entire experiment and had to pay close attention. Our final conclusions were based on results of each test.

Procedure:
1. We observed the appearance of each element and recorded the physical properties. These physical properties included color, luster, and form (which we recorded as metallic or nonmetallic).

2. We got the electrical conductivity apparatus and touched both electrodes to each element. We made sure that each electrode did not touch each other, and we made sure we did not touch the bare tips either. If the light lit up, we knew that the element was conducting electricity. If it did not light up, we knew that it was not conducting electricity.

3. Using a hammer, we tested the durability of each element. We decided if each element was malleable or brittle.

4. We then checked each elements' reactivity with 0.1 M copper (II) chloride by placing each element in seven clean wells labeled A-G.

Cleaning the well plates

Labeled well plates

5. We added 18 drops of this 0.1 M copper (II) chloride to each sample.

6. We observed each sample for 4 minutes, watching out for a change in each samples' appearance, watching also for a chemical reaction.
7. We recorded the results of which elements reacted and which did not.
8. We then discarded the well plates, making sure we did not put it down the drain, but in the proper tray.
9. We then got a new clean well plate, again labeling it A-G. We placed each element in its correct place.
10. We added 18 drops of 0.5 M HCl to each well containing the sample elements. We made sure that we were very careful because the 0.5 HCl can chemically attack the skin if not careful.

11. We recorded the results of which elements reacted and which did not.
12. We then discarded the well plates, making sure we did not put it down the drain, but in the proper tray.
13. We washed our hands and cleaned up carefully.

Results:

Group Lithium-

Elements	Color	Luster	Form	Type of Metal	Hammer	Conductivity	Reactiveness .1 M Copper (II) Chloride	Reactiveness .5 M HCl
A	Silver	Slightly Shiny	Flat round; size of an iPhone home buttom	Metal	Malleable	Yes	Reactive; rusty, dirty, brown	None
B	Metallic Silver	Very Shiny	Flat; Bendable	Metal	Malleable	Yes	Reactive; foggy	None
C	Foggy Silver	Foggy	Hard; Flat; Rectangular	Metal	Malleable	Yes	Reactive; copper color, rusty	None
D	Charcoal	Kind of Shiny	Rocky; Hard	Metalloid	Brittle	Yes	Non-reactive	None
E	Shiny Silver	Very Shiny	Rocky; Hard	Nonmetal	Brittle	No	Non-reactive	None
F	Copper colored	Kind of shiny	Wire form	Metal	Malleable	Yes	Non-reactive	None
G	Silver	Semi-matte; Not shiny	Lumpy	Metalloid	Brittle	Yes	Reactive; turned black	Bubbles formed

Class- 

Aggregated Data:
      Some groups had different results because they could not exactly determine the difference between metals and nonmetals. Also, some may have forgot about metalloids or not considered metalloids throughout the experiment.

Significance of lab:
      I found this lab to be significant because it made everyone in the group work as a team and work together. I also found that a great deal of focus was necessary, which is really helpful to everyones mind. I thought that it was important to be able to deal with not only metals and nonmetals, but metalloids as well. This lab was important and very educational in ways such as how a lab technician would determine the difference between a metal, and a nonmetal.

Questions p.117 #1-4

1. Color- physical

    Luster- physical

    Form- physical

    Conductivity- physical

    Reactivity- chemical 

    Hammer- physical 

2. Group 1: physical- D, E, F 

    Group 2: chemical- A, B, C, G 

3. Elements D, E, and F fit into the physical group of elements because they are non-reactive, and have a distinctive appearance. Elements A, B, C, and G fit into the chemical group of elements because they are reactive. 

4. Metals- A, B, C, F

    Nonmetals- E

    Metalloids- D, G