Metal or Nonmetal Lab

Metal or Nonmetal – Lab Report
July 5th, 2011
Oliver Ghadoushi, Eva Nazar
Summer School 2011 – Chemistry
Dr. Forman
____________________________
Purpose of lab: investigate several properties of seven given elements and decide if each is a metal, non-metal, or a metalloid


Abstract:
The purpose of this lab was to observe 7 different samples and record the appearance of each element (color, luster, form) and test for conductivity. In the end of this experiment, we are expected to be able to determine whether the sample was a metal or nonmetal. We did this by hammering the substance, connecting the substance to a circuit with a light bulb, and dropping in 15-20 drops of HCl and CuCl2 The tools we used in this experiment were two different well plates, a hammer, a small spoon, and HCl and CuCl2. The first thing we did was crush the different substances with the hammer to test whether they were malleable or brittle. Six of the samples were brittle while only one was malleable. When we tested the samples for conductivity, most of the samples were conductors. This showed us that most likely more than half of the samples were metals. We then observed the reactivity of these samples with hydrochloric acid and copper (II) chloride. This helped us in determining whether it was a metal, metalloid, or nonmetal because we know that metals tend to be very chemically reactive.


Procedures:
-Created data table to guide and record various data’s encountered in investigation
-Given each element, write letter of substance on paper corresponding to product
-Collect and try to crush each metal given on a separate piece of paper on table, crush and analyze overall appearance of each element (color and form)
-Continue same procedure with each substance given and record on data table
-After all are complete, take each crushed substance and place in corresponding well in an organized manner
-Drop 15-20 drops of copper chloride (CuCl2) in each of the 7 wells (A-G)
-Observe and watch any unique reaction to each substance, analyze as it goes
-Test reactivity with acid, add 15-20 drops of HCl to each of the seven wells
-Observe and watch any reaction, analyze and record result
-Clean area, wash hands, and take photographs if applicable


Lab Questions:
1.
1. Appearance = Physical Property
2. Conductivity = Physical Property
3. Crushing = Physical Property
4. Copper Chloride reactivity = Chemical Property
5. Acid reactivity = Chemical Property


2. a. Samples B & G were metals
b. Samples A, D, C, F, E were nonmetals


3. The elements that were metalloids could fit into either group (F, C, D). Several did and did not conduct electricity, and others that were filled in with the acids reacted uniquely.

Data Analysis:


After observing malleability vs. brittleness, conductivity, and reactivity of the samples with HCl and CuCl2, we have determined which are metals, nonmetals, and metalloids.

sample A: metal
sample B: metal
sample C: metalloid
sample D: metalloid
sample E: nonmetal
sample F: metalloid
sample G: metal

Metals tended to always have conductivity, they were usually lustrous, and were brittle or malleable. They were reactive with either HCl or CuCl2 or both. If they were good conductors, yet they were not reactive, they were most likely metalloids. Nonmetals were nonreactive and were not conductors. For example, sample E was not a conductor and nor did it react.