10/03/15 Sher Bindahnee

Carrie Gale Rm 53

Group members: Claire Lee and

DECOMPOSITION OF COPPER CARBONATE (CuCO3)

AIM To investigate the thermal decomposition of copper carbonate.
(qualitative assessment)
HYPOTHESIS The products of the decomposition of copper carbonate
will be a metal oxide (CuO) and carbon dioxide gas.
APPARATUS
ITEM
Copper carbonate
Limewater (saturated Ca(OH)2
solution)
Bunsen burner
Matches
Test tubes
Retort stand, boss head and clamp
Gas delivery tube and cork stopper
Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
Spatula
Copper sulfate
Cont.

QUANTITY/CONCENTRATION
2g
10 mL

5
1
1
10 mL 1 mol/L
1
3 mL

PROCEDURE
i) EXPERIMENT DESIGN TABLE
Variable

Definition

Independent
variable
Dependent variable

The factor changed

Constant variables
Control

Number of
replicates

The factor
measured
Factors kept same
to make the test fair
The test to which
the experiment is
compared
Repeats decrease
error and establish
reliability

Experiment
variable
Heat
Substances
produced

ii)METHOD
1. A spatula was used to
2. II. Preparation of carbon dioxide by decomposition of a carbonate.
3.
4. 1. Weigh and record the mass of a large test tube that is clean and dry.
5.
6. 2. Weigh out about 2 grams of copper (II) carbonate into the large test
tube. Record the exact weight of the test tube + copper (II) carbonate on
your lab report.
7. 3. Insert a rubber stopper fitted with a rubber delivery tube into the
mouth of the large test tube. (See diagram.) Clamp the test tube to a
ring stand. Insert a glass tube into the end of the rubber delivery tube.
Pour 5 mL of limewater into a small clean test tube.

8. Heat the test tube containing the CuCO3 until you see a change in color.
Then insert the glass tube into the limewater. Observe the appearance of
the limewater as gas given off by the reaction forms bubbles in the
limewater. Continue heating until all of the CuCO 3 has changed color.
Remove the delivery tube from the limewater when the reaction is
complete. Record your observations on your lab report. Be sure to
describe the appearance of both of the solids and the gas formed.
9. 4. The solid chemical left in the test tube after the reaction is called the
residue. After the test tube containing the residue has cooled, weigh it
and record the mass of the test tube + residue on your lab report.

10. Metals low down in the reactivity series - such as copper - have carbonates that
are easily decomposed.
DIAGRAM