The Empirical Formula of a Copper Oxide

Steven Leung

9/19/06

Lab Report

The Empirical Formula of a Copper Oxide

Purpose:

To convert an unknown copper oxide to copper (Cu) metal using natural gas to provide a reducing environment as shown below:

Cu O (s) + CH (g) ЃЁ Cu (s) + Co (g) + H O (g)

From the mass difference between the unknown copper oxide and the Cu metal generated at the completion of the reaction and the molar mass of Cu and oxygen, the empirical formula of the original copper oxide can be calculated.

Materials:

ЃgCopper oxideЃh (1.0 g)

Bunsen burner

Large test tube

Ring stand

Clamp (with no rubber on the prongs)

Two hole stopper with inlet and outlet tubes

Rubber tubing

Procedures: (in lab notebook)

Raw data:

The copper oxide changed colors during the experimentation. It began as a black powder and and slowly changed to orange as it was heated. It also changed in texture, clumping together into a hard solid rather than a powder.

Mass Measurements (in grams)

Test tube 44.9078

Copper Oxide .997

Calculated Data:

The calculated difference between the test tube containing copper oxide and the test tube after the heating is .164 grams.

Test tube with copper oxide 45.904