Limiting Reagents Lab;

Aluminum and Copper (II) Chloride:

Background

In this experiment, you will predict and observe a limiting reactant during the copper (II)
chloride oxidation. You will use the single displacement reaction of aluminum with aqueous
copper (II) chloride.

2Al(s) + 3CuCl2(aq) 3Cu(s) + 2AlCl3(aq)

Copper (II) chloride, CuCl2, turns a light blue in aqueous solution. This is due to the Cu2+
(aq) ion. Aluminum chloride is colourless in aqueous solution.

Purpose

In this experiment, you will be:

o predicting and observing the limiting and excess reagents in a reaction.

o distinguishing between different substances (reactants and products) based on their
changes in colouration.

o distinguishing between limiting and excess reagents in a reaction.

o conducting limiting reagent calculations.

o able to understand the terms: limiting and excess reagents.

Materials

2-250 ml beakers, stirring rod, balance machine and weighing dish, 0.51 g & 0.10 g
Copper (II) Chloride, 0.25 g Aluminum foil (x2), water, and a 50 mL graduated cylinder

Safety

o Place the beakers flat on a surface as the reaction proceeds because it may become hot.
o Dispose of the substances in a waste container as directed by your teacher

Procedures

1. Using a balance, weigh 0.51 g CuCl2 and 0.25 g Aluminum foil.

2. Place the Al and CuCl2 into the first 250 ml beaker (Beaker 1).
3. Using a balance weigh out a further 0.10 g of copper chloride (1/5 as much) and the same
amount (0.25 g) of aluminum.

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 4. Again, place the Al and CuCl2 into another 250 ml beaker (Beaker 2).
5. Look at the contents of each beaker. When water is added to the beakers, the CuCl2 will
dissolve and the reaction will proceed. By looking at the amount of reactants in each
container, in which one do you think that there is excess reactant? In which container do
you think there is a limiting reagent?
6. Using a graduated cylinder, measure 50 ml of water and add to each beaker.
7. Record the colour of substances and any other observations (smell, bubbling, heat
formation, etc.) that are visible at the beginning of the reaction in the data table.
8. Stir the substances in the beakers occasionally with the stirring rod.
9. Record any colour changes or any other observations as the reaction proceeds in the data
table.
10. Record the colour of all substances and any other observations at the end of the reaction
in the data table.
11. When the reaction is complete, return the beakers, with its contents, to your teacher for
proper disposal.

Data

Record information below. Ensure to make note of any differences in the

reactions. (6 marks)

Observations (Colour, Bubbles, Heat, Smell, etc.)

Beaker 1:
Beginning of reaction

Beaker 2:

Beaker 1:
During the reaction

Beaker 2:

Beaker 1:
End of reaction

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 Beaker 2:

Conclusion:

1. In this experiment, is the color change a; physical or chemical change? (1 mark)

2. According to your observations, which reactant was present for the longest in the first
reaction with 0.51 g CuCl2? Which reactant is limiting, which is in excess? (2 marks)

3. According to your observations, which reactant was present for the longest in the second
reaction with 0.10 g CuCl2? Which reactant is limiting, which is in excess? (2 marks)

4. In these experiments, when and why did the reaction stop? Explain your answer in terms
of what reactants are available. (1 mark)

5. Can we tell from just the masses which of the two reactants will potentially be the
limiting reagent? Why or why not? (2 marks)

Calculations:

1. The mass allows us to determine the number of moles and thus the number of particles
available to react. Answer the following questions, using your observations and the
equation below from your investigation:

__Al(s) + __CuCl2(aq) __Cu(s) + __AlCl3(aq)

a) Balance the equation. (1 mark)

b) Using dimensional analysis, calculate the mass of AlCl3 produced from both the
original mass of aluminum (0.25 g), and the original mass of copper (II) chloride
(.51 g) in Beaker 1 (use the space below and the following page). (8 marks)

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c) What is the maximum number of grams of AlCl3 that can be produced (theoretical
yield)? (1 mark)
d) Which of the reactants is limiting? (1 mark)
e) Using dimensional analysis, determine the amount of excess reagent (in grams)
remaining in solution, recalling the mass of aluminum is 0.25 g, and copper (II)
chloride is 0.51 g. (6 marks)

f) Using the mass values for the second reaction, you should be able to determine
which substance is the limiting reagent in the second beaker; 0.10 g of copper
chloride (1/5 as much) and the same (0.25 g of aluminum). Calculate; the possible
mass of AlCl3 produced by the new mass of CuCl2. (4 marks)

g) What is the maximum number of grams of AlCl3 that can be produced (theoretical
yield)? (1 mark)

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 h) Which of the reactants is limiting? (1 mark)
i) Using dimensional analysis, determine the amount of excess reagent (in grams)
remaining in solution, recalling the mass of aluminum is 0.25 g, and copper (II)
chloride is 0.10 g. (6 marks)

j) Show the calculation for actual yield (using percent yield formula); for both
Beaker 1, and Beaker 2, assuming an 80% yield and using the theoretical yield
(mass) values that you calculated in parts g and h above. (4 marks)

Limiting Reagent Summary & Examples

6. What is a limiting reagent? (1 mark)

7. For the following reactions, identify the limiting and excess reagents.

a) Wood burning in a campfire? (1 mark)

b) Sulfur in the air reacting with silver flatware producing silver sulfide? (1 mark)

8. Magnesium and hydrochloric acid react according to the following equation:

Mg(s) + HCl(aq) MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)

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 (Silver) (Clear) (White) (Clear)
a) Balance the equation. (1 mark)
b) Examine the equation carefully. List two physical pieces of evidence that show a
reaction occurred between the hydrochloric acid and the magnesium? (2 marks)

c) If this lab was performed, explain how you would know which reactant is the limiting
reagent? (2 marks)

9. Given the unbalanced equation __ Na + __ Cl2 __ NaCl

If 8.3 g of Na and 14.0 g of Cl2 are reacted together in a lab experiment:

a) Balanced the equation. (1 mark)

b) Use dimensional analysis to determine how much NaCl can be produced if the
reaction goes to completion. Indicate which reactant is limiting, and what the
theoretical yield is. (10 marks)

c) Use dimensional analysis to determine how much excess reagent remains for the
reactant that is not limiting. (6 marks)

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