Lab Report

Metal or Nonmetal Lab

July 9, 2013

Julia, Sammy, Clemmy

Dr. Forman

Purpose: The purpose of this lab was to explore a few different properties of seven different elements and then choose whether each element was a metal, a nonmetal, or a metalloid.

Background/Significance: After Clemmy, Sammy and I accomplished the Metal or Nonmetal Lab, we were educated with many valuable lessons through deciding whether each element was a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid. 

Abstract: Together, our group acquired a lot of important information by completing this experiment. We started this Metal or Nonmetal Lab by labeling our well plate from A-G on a piece of paper, allowing us to determine which element was with no confusion. After we completed the first step, our group was able to begin the procedure. The answer of whether each element was a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid was not completely clear at first sight; we were forced to further examine each element by using our knowledge and making and educated guess in order to determine what each element fell under the category of. Some of the groups in our class came to different conclusions than we did; however, after completing the procedures, we were able to recognize the significance of following directions and working together as a team in order to carry out our goals. Each element that we studied had its own characteristics and even though many seemed awfully similar, there were major differences between each one. If we didn’t pay enough attention to detail, we would not have been able to understand the different properties of these elements and we would not have been able to complete this lab.

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: After testing each of the seven element's properties, we were able to aggregate our data and present many different results. Element A was silver, solid, lustrous, a conductor, and when mixed with copper chloride, dark maroon particles formed. Through 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 dark silver, solid, semi-lustrous, a conductor, malleable, bronze when mixed with copper chloride, and sort of faded when mixed with hydrochloric acid. From these conclusions we decided 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 copper colored, had  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 matte grey, dull, nonmetallic, a conductor, brittle, dissolves partly and turns black when mixed with copper chloride, and forms gas.

The outcome of the elements after drops of copper (II) chloride and hydrochloric acid were added: 

Class Data: 

            

There was aggregated data because each group determined if the element was a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid in different ways. Each group had a different way of deciding what each element was because of the various results from each experiment. An example of this is when one of the elements was not conductive, one group simply came to the conclusion that the element was a nonmetal. However, that group did not realize that the element was 

actually reactive and also had a shiny exterior.  

Pictures from the Lab: 

1.

-Checking the conductivity 

2. 

- Testing the crushing property

Questions: 

1. 

color: physical 

luster: physical

form: physical 

conductivity: physical 

reactivity: chemical 

hammer: physical 

2.  

Group one: Physical

D, E, F.

Group two: 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. 

Metal: A, B, C, F

Nonmetal: E

Metalloid: D, G