Hwa Chong Institution

2014 C1 H2 Chemistry

Planning Exercise 4
Stoichiometry (Gas Collection)

Name:

CT: 14S

Date:

Refer to Practical 4 and read the notes on p.57 of this worksheet when you are attempting this
exercise. Complete this exercise and check your answers on Moodle by the end of Term 2.
Title: To determine the relative atomic mass of lithium
Source: J2004 P5 Q2 (modified)
Lithium is an alkali metal one of a group of very reactive metals which are stored under oil to
prevent contact with air and water vapour.
The reaction of lithium with water can be represented by the equation below.
2Li(s) + 2H2O(l) 2LiOH(aq) + H2(g)
You are required to plan an experiment that determines, as accurately as possible, the relative
atomic mass of lithium.
(a)

In the space below, draw a labeled diagram that clearly shows the apparatus you could
use to:

react a weighed amount of lithium metal with water,

collect the hydrogen gas produced,
measure the volume of gas produced.

Your setup should ensure that no hydrogen gas is lost when adding the lithium to the
water.

[2]
(b)

What would you have to do before weighing lithium?

[1]

Planning Exercise 4

Hwa Chong Institution

(c)

2014 C1 H2 Chemistry

Suggest and give a reason for one safety measure, related to the chemicals used or
produced, that you would have to employ in conducting this experiment.

[1]
(d)

In one experiment, 0.0583 g of lithium was used and 100 cm3 of hydrogen gas was
produced at room temperature and pressure.
Given that Vm = 24 dm3 mol1 under room conditions,
(i)

suggest an appropriate volume of water that can be used in the experiment and
justify your answer with calculations,

Appropriate volume of water

(ii)

cm3

show that the relative atomic mass Ar, of lithium is approximately 7.

[3]
(e)

Give two reasons why the value of Ar calculated in part (d) is approximate.

[2]
(f)

Using the aqueous lithium hydroxide remaining after the reaction, it is possible to obtain an
accurate value of Ar for lithium. Briefly outline the method that could be used to obtain this
value.

[1]
Planning Exercise 4

Hwa Chong Institution

(g)

2014 C1 H2 Chemistry

Suggest a reason why the method you have suggested in (f) will give you a more accurate
result.

[1]
[Total: 11]

Planning Exercise 4

Hwa Chong Institution

2014 C1 H2 Chemistry

BLANK PAGE

Planning Exercise 4

Hwa Chong Institution

2014 C1 H2 Chemistry

Planning Skills
In Planning Exercises 1 and 2, we looked at five components in planning. In this exercise, we will look
at the last component analysis and evaluation.

Analysis and Evaluation

The evaluation of an experiment may include

error analysis e.g. calculation of apparatus error

identifying anomalous values, deducing possible causes and suggesting appropriate means to
avoid them

ways by which the procedure and methods of taking measurements could be improved to
improve the reliability of the results e.g. using a larger quantity of reactants to give a larger
temperature rise, increasing the number of data points to get a more accurate graph, using a
more precise apparatus etc.

Selfpractice [Source: UCIE N2009 P51 Q2 modified]

A group of twelve students carried out the following experiment to confirm the formula of zinc
iodide as ZnI2. In the experiment an excess of powdered zinc reacts with a solution of iodine in
ethanol.
Weighing of reactants
1. Weigh a dry, hardglass testtube.
2. Put approximately 0.5 g of zinc powder in the testtube and reweigh the tube.
3. Add approximately 1.0 g of iodine and weigh the tube again.
Reaction between Zn and I2 in ethanol
4. Cautiously add ethanol, drop by drop, until no further visible reaction takes place, and then add
a further 1 cm3 of ethanol, an excess.
5. Shake the tube gently until the brown colour of the dissolved iodine disappears. This indicates
that the reaction is complete.
Removal of zinc iodide product & collection of unreacted Zn
6. Place the tube in a centrifuge and spin the tube and its contents for 30 seconds. The excess zinc
will pack at the bottom of the tube.
7. Pour off and discard the liquid above the layer of zinc. This liquid contains the zinc iodide formed
in the reaction.
8. Wash the zinc powder with 1 cm3 of ethanol.
9. Centrifuge the tube and pour off the liquid as before.
10. Repeat the washing of the zinc several times to remove any remaining traces of zinc iodide.
Weighing of unreacted Zn
11. Dry the tube and its contents by laying the tube on a gauze, on top of a tripod, gently heated by
a small Bunsen burner flame.
12. Allow the tube to cool and reweigh the tube and its contents.
Planning Exercise 4

Hwa Chong Institution

2014 C1 H2 Chemistry

The results of the experiment are shown below.

Results
A
mass of
empty
test
tube /g

B
mass of
test
tube
and zinc
powder
/g

C
mass of
test
tube,
zinc
powder
and
iodine
/g

D
mass of
test
tube +
excess
of zinc
/g

15.60

16.13

17.13

15.87

0.26

14.73

15.24

16.23

14.99

13.81

14.29

15.32

16.67

17.16

15.89

student

(a)

E
F
BD CB
mass mass
of
of
zinc iodine
/g
/g

moles of
zinc

moles of
iodine

ratio:
iodine/zinc

1.00

0.00398

0.00787

1.98

0.25

0.99

0.00382

0.00780

2.04

14.07

0.22

1.03

0.00336

0.00811

2.41

18.17

16.90

0.26

1.01

0.00398

0.00795

2.00

16.40

17.38

16.15

0.25

0.98

0.00382

0.00772

2.02

16.32

16.84

17.79

16.60

0.24

0.95

0.00367

0.00748

2.04

13.11

13.58

14.55

13.33

0.25

0.97

0.00382

0.00764

2.00

17.86

18.35

19.39

18.05

0.30

1.04

0.00459

0.00819

1.78

16.45

16.95

17.97

16.69

0.26

1.02

0.00398

0.00803

2.02

10

15.77

16.31

17.27

16.06

0.25

0.96

0.00382

0.00756

1.98

11

12.99

13.47

14.52

13.20

0.27

1.05

0.00413

0.00827

2.00

12

14.48

14.98

16.02

14.71

0.27

1.04

0.00413

0.00819

1.98

Use the data in the table above to perform suitable calculations that can be used to confirm or
reject the suggested formula of zinc iodide, ZnI2. Record the results of your calculations in the
blank column, indicating a suitable header.
Calculates ratio of iodine: zinc; correct calculation for Experiments 3 and 8 [2]

(b)

Identify any student(s) whose experimental results you consider to be anomalous.

Students 3 and 8
[1]

Planning Exercise 4

Hwa Chong Institution

(c)

2014 C1 H2 Chemistry

In the light of your answer to (b), explain how you would use the data to determine the formula of
zinc iodide.
Take an average (of ratio of iodine/zinc) / plotting a graph (of iodine vs zinc) then calculate gradient
leaving out the anomalies when calculating average / drawing the bestfit line.
[2]

(d)

For each anomalous result identified in (b), refer to the instructions for the experiment and
suggest a possible reason for the anomaly.
Student 3: Ratio of iodine/zinc is too high because
some zinc was oxidised during drying (Step 11) / zinc was not dried thoroughly (Step 11) /
reaction is incomplete (Step 5) / some ZnI2 was not washed away (Step 10).
Student 8: Ratio of iodine/zinc is too low because
some zinc was blown out of the tube during drying (Steps 11 & 12) /
Zn lost on pouring out liquid (Steps 7 & 9).
[2]

(e)

By referring to columns E and F in the table, identify any single weakness in the experimental
method that could lead to errors in the results of the experiment.
Small masses weighed result in large percentage errors in mass.
Balance precision is not accepted.
[1]

(f)

A student suggested an alternative method with iodine in excess instead of zinc. Suggest a reagent
that could be used, in a titration, to determine the amount of iodine remaining in solution after
the reaction.
Sodium thiosulfate
[1]

Note for part (d):

Mass Zn reacted = Mass of Zn added Mass of Zn in excess
If ratio iodine/zinc is too high, zinc reacted is lower than actual which implies that mass of Zn in
excess is higher than actual and vice versa.

Planning Exercise 4

Hwa Chong Institution

2014 C1 H2 Chemistry

Planning Exercise 4 (Stoichiometry Gas Collection)

Qn

Suggested Answer

(a)

Marks

100 cm3 gas syringe

lithium metal
water

Appropriate apparatus: for reaction (e.g. conical flask),for measuring volume of gas
(e.g. graduated gas syringe (draw markings to show graduations) or burette/
measuring cylinder if collect over water)
Measures to ensure no loss of gas (accept dropping funnel)
Diagram must be clearly labelled & connections clearly shown
(b)

Remove the oil from lithium (by wiping or dissolving the oil in a suitable non
aqueous solvent).

Remove the oxidized outer layer.

Cut the lithium to expose the fresh metal to the water.

Either answer

(c)

(d)(i)

Keep apparatus away from any flame as hydrogen gas is flammable.

Use tweezers to handle lithium as lithium is reactive with moisture on skin.

Wear gloves as lithium hydroxide produced is highly alkaline / corrosive.

Use a small amount of lithium to keep the volume of H2 produced small as the
gas is flammable.
Any logical safety measure and reason

(H2) =

1
1
1

100
= 4.17 X 103 mol
24000

(H2O) = 2 x 4.17 X 103 = 8.33 X 103 mol

Volume of water = (8.33 X 103 x 18.0) 1 g cm3 = 0.15 cm3
Appropriate volume of water = 10 cm3
Calculates volume of water required
Use water in large excess (accept 10 100 cm3)

1
1

Note:
The reaction between lithium and water is very exothermic so a large volume of water is
used to absorb the heat evolved.
If the volume of water used is too small, the heat produced may vaporize all the water and
result in an incomplete reaction.
The LiOH solution formed would be highly alkaline and corrosive if a small volume of water
3
3
is used. E.g. if 1 cm of water is used, [LiOH] is approx. 8 mol dm .

Planning Exercise 4

Hwa Chong Institution

2014 C1 H2 Chemistry

Qn

Suggested Answer

Marks

(d)(ii) (Li) = 8.33 X 10 mol

Ar (Li) =

0.0583 = 7.00
8.33 X10 3

1
Accept other viable calculation routes for (d)(i) and (d)(ii)

(e)

Gas may not be measured at room conditions, i.e. 24 dm3 is only an approximate Vm.

And either one of the following:

Lithium is covered with a layer of oxide or lithium reacts with air / moisture in
the air after or during weighing / cutting / transfer.

The residual oil on lithium is not thoroughly removed.

Do not accept loss of gas at the start of the experiment (see part (a)) or trivial
reasons e.g. impurities present

Note:
The reaction between lithium and water is highly exothermic so the temperature of the gas
o
would be higher than room temperature (25 C) immediately after the reaction. Hence, it is
important to allow the setup to equilibrate to room conditions if the molar gas volume of
3
24 dm is to be used in the calculations.

(f)

Either one of the following:

Titrate the LiOH formed with an aqueous acid with known concentration.

Add acid to the LiOH to form a salt. Evaporate the solution to dryness and weigh
the mass of salt formed.

Evaporate the LiOH solution to dryness and weigh the mass of the solid after
evaporation.

Note:
In method 2, the amount of acid added should be exact so that the residue (after drying)
only consists of the lithium salt.
In method 3, LiOH may react with CO2 in air during heating.

(g)

Either one of the following:

Concentration of acid solution is accurately known.

Results are more reliable as titrations are repeated until consistent results are
obtained.

Percentage errors in pipette and burette are very small.

The end point of a titration is sharp and distinct, making the results more
accurate/ reliable.

The electronic balance can weigh to 3 decimal places, hence results are more
accurate.
The answer to (g) must be related to the answer in (f).

Planning Exercise 4