Title Oxidizing and reducing agents Data Collection, Data Processing and Presentation 1.

Experiment 1: To show bromine, concentrated nitric acid, potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide are oxidizing agents. Observation for reaction of each substance with these solution 0.5 M 0.5 M Hydrogen Concentrated Acidified Acidified iron sulphide hydrochloric potassium (II) sulphate solution acid iodide solution solution The colourless The pale green The cloudy The pale solution of 0.5 solution of 0.5 white solution brown solution M acidified M acidified of hydrogen of concentrated potassium iron (II) sulphide hydrochloric iodide changes sulphate changes to acid changes to to light brown changes to very cloudy yellow solution solution after light brown white solution after reacting reacting with solution after after reacting with three three drops of reacting with with three drops of bromine water. three drops of drops of bromine water. bromine water. bromine water. The gas produced in the test tube changes the blue damp litmus paper to red and remains the red damp litmus paper. The colourless The pale green The cloudy The pale solution of 0.5 solution of 0.5 white solution brown solution M acidified M acidified of hydrogen of concentrated potassium iron (II) sulphide hydrochloric iodide changes sulphate changes to acid remains to dark brown changes to very cloudy unchanged solution after dark greenish white solution after reacting reacting with brown solution after reacting with three three drops of after reacting with three drops of concentrated with three drops of concentrated nitric acid. drops of concentrated nitric acid. The Bubbles are concentrated nitric acid. gas produced also formed nitric acid. Bubbles are in the test tube and a greyish Bubbles are also formed changes the layer is also formed during the blue damp produced in during the reaction. litmus paper to the test tube. reaction. red and

Substance Bromine

Concentrated nitric acid

Potassium permanganate

The colourless solution of 0.5 M acidified potassium iodide changes to brown solution after reacting with three drops of dark purple potassium permanganate solution.

The pale green solution of 0.5 M acidified iron (II) sulphate changes to pale brown solution after reacting with three drops of dark purple potassium permanganate solution.

The cloudy white solution of hydrogen sulphide changes to very cloudy white solution after reacting with three drops of dark purple potassium permanganate solution.

Hydrogen peroxide

The colourless solution of 0.5 M acidified potassium iodide changes to yellow solution after reacting with three drops of colourless hydrogen peroxide. Bubbles are also formed.

The pale green solution of 0.5 M acidified iron (II) sulphate changes to light brown after reacting with three drops of colourless hydrogen peroxide. Bubbles are also formed.

The cloudy white solution of hydrogen sulphide changes to very cloudy white solution after reacting with three drops of colourless hydrogen peroxide. Bubbles are also formed.

remains the red damp litmus paper. The pale brown solution of concentrated hydrochloric acid changes to dark yellow solution after reacting with three drops of dark purple potassium permanganate solution. Bubbles are also formed and the gas produced in the test tube bleach the blue damp litmus paper to white. The pale brown solution of concentrated hydrochloric acid changes to dark brown solution after reacting with three drops of colourless hydrogen peroxide. Bubbles are also formed and the gas produced in the test tube bleach the blue damp litmus paper to white.

After the bromine water is added, the colourless solution of 0.5 M acidified potassium iodide changes to light brown solution. This happen because iodide ions in the solution are oxidized to the iodine and the electrons from the iodide ions are accepted by bromine molecules where bromine molecules are reduced

to bromide ions. Thus, it shows that bromine is an oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

Br2 [ aq ] + 2e 2 Br
2 I I 2 + 2e

After bromine water is added, the pale green solution of 0.5 M acidified iron (II) sulphate changes to light brown solution This happen because iron (II) ions in the solution are oxidized to the iron (III) ions and the electrons from the iron (II) ions are accepted by bromine molecules where bromine molecules are reduced to bromide ions. Thus, it shows that bromine is an oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

Br2 [ aq ] + 2e 2 Br

Fe 2+ ( aq ) Fe 3+ ( aq ) + e
After bromine water is added, the cloudy white solution of hydrogen sulphide changes to very cloudy white solution. This happen because hydrogen sulphide molecules in the solution are oxidized to sulphur molecules and hydrogen ions and the electrons from hydrogen sulphide molecules are accepted by bromine molecules where bromine molecules are reduced to bromide ions. Thus, it shows that bromine is an oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

Br2 [ aq ] + 2e 2 Br

H 2 S ( aq ) S ( s ) + 2 H + ( aq ) + 2e
The pale brown solution of concentrated hydrochloric acid changes to yellow solution after reacting with three drops of bromine water. The gas produced in the test tube changes the blue damp litmus paper to red and remains the red damp litmus paper. This happen because the bromine is not powerful enough to oxidize the chloride ion to chlorine gas. This is clearly shown after the standard electrode potentials of both reactants are taken into account. The change of colour from light brown to yellow is due to the presence of bromine water in the mixture of the solution. Chloride ion is still remained as chloride ion because no reaction takes place here. The damp blue litmus paper changes the colour to red. This is due to the presence of the acidic HCl fume. However, the damp red litmus paper remains unchanged as the HCl fume is acidic in nature and damp red litmus paper can only detect basic substances. After colourless solution of concentrated nitric acid is added, the colourless solution of 0.5 M acidified potassium iodide changes to dark brown solution. Bubbles are also formed and a greyish layer is produced in the test tube. This happen because iodide ions in the solution are oxidized to the iodine and the

electrons from the iodide ions are accepted by nitrate ions where nitrate ions are reduced to nitrogen monoxide (shown by the bubble production). Besides, a greyish layer formed in the test tube is due to the condensation of iodine formed. Thus, it shows that nitrate ions (concentrated nitric acid) are oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

NO3 ( aq ) + 4H + ( aq ) + 3e NO( g ) + 2H 2 O
2 I I 2 + 2e

After colourless solution of concentrated nitric acid is added, the pale green solution of 0.5 M acidified iron (II) sulphate changes to dark greenish brown solution. Bubbles are also formed during the reaction. This happen because iron (II) ions in the solution are oxidized to iron (III) ions and the electrons from the iron (II) ions are accepted by nitrate ions where nitrate ions are reduced to nitrogen monoxide (shown by the bubble production). Thus, it shows that nitrate ions (concentrated nitric acid) are oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

NO3 ( aq ) + 4H + ( aq ) + 3e NO( g ) + 2H 2 O
Fe 2+ ( aq ) Fe 3+ ( aq ) + e
After colourless solution of concentrated nitric acid is added, the cloudy white solution of hydrogen sulphide changes to very cloudy white solution. Bubbles are also formed during the reaction. This happen because hydrogen sulphide molecules in the solution are oxidized to sulphur molecules and hydrogen ions and the electrons from the hydrogen sulphide molecules are accepted by nitrate ions where nitrate ions are reduced to nitrogen monoxide (shown by the bubble production). Thus, it shows that nitrate ions (concentrated nitric acid) are oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

NO3 ( aq ) + 4H + ( aq ) + 3e NO( g ) + 2H 2 O
H 2 S ( aq ) S ( s ) + 2 H + ( aq ) + 2e
The pale brown solution of concentrated hydrochloric acid remains unchanged after reacting with three drops of concentrated nitric acid. The gas produced in the test tube changes the blue damp litmus paper to red and remains the red damp litmus paper. This happen because the concentrated nitric acid solution is not powerful enough to oxidize the chloride ion to chlorine gas. This is clearly shown after the standard electrode potentials of both reactants are taken into account. Chloride ion is still remained as chloride ion as no reaction takes place here. Thus, the colour remains unchanged.

The damp blue litmus paper changes the colour to red. This is due to the presence of the acidic HCl fume. However, the damp red litmus paper remains unchanged as the HCl fume is acidic in nature. After three drops of colourless hydrogen peroxide are added, the colourless solution of 0.5 M acidified potassium iodide changes to yellow solution. Bubbles are also formed as oxygen molecules are formed. This happen because iodide ions in the solution are oxidized to the iodine and the electrons from the iodide ions are accepted by hydrogen peroxide molecules where hydrogen peroxide molecules are reduced to water molecules. Thus, it shows that hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

H 2 O2 ( aq ) + 2 H + ( aq ) + 2e 2 H 2 O
2 I I 2 + 2e

After three drops of colourless hydrogen peroxide are added, the pale green solution of 0.5 M acidified iron (II) sulphate changes to light brown. Bubbles are also formed as oxygen molecules are formed. This happen because iron (II) ions in the solution are oxidized to iron (III) ions and the electrons from the iron (II) ions are accepted by hydrogen peroxide molecules where hydrogen peroxide molecules are reduced to water molecules. Thus, it shows that hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

H 2 O2 ( aq ) + 2 H + ( aq ) + 2e 2 H 2 O
Fe 2+ ( aq ) Fe 3+ ( aq ) + e
After three drops of colourless hydrogen peroxide are added, the cloudy white solution of hydrogen sulphide changes to very cloudy white solution. Bubbles are also formed as oxygen molecules are formed. This happen because hydrogen sulphide molecules in the solution are oxidized to sulphur molecules and the electrons from the iron (II) ions are accepted by hydrogen peroxide molecules where hydrogen peroxide molecules are reduced to water molecules. Thus, it shows that hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

H 2 O2 ( aq ) + 2 H + ( aq ) + 2e 2 H 2 O
H 2 S ( aq ) S ( s ) + 2 H + ( aq ) + 2e
The pale brown solution of concentrated hydrochloric acid changes to dark brown solution after reacting with three drops of colourless hydrogen peroxide. Bubbles are also formed as oxygen is produced. The gas produced, which is chlorine, in the test tube bleaches the blue damp litmus paper to white as chlorine is a strong bleaching agent while the red damp litmus paper

remains unchanged as chlorine is acidic in nature. This happen because chloride ions molecules in the solution are oxidized to chlorine molecules and the electrons from the chloride ions are accepted by hydrogen peroxide molecules where hydrogen peroxide molecules are reduced to water molecules. Thus, it shows that hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

H 2 O2 ( aq ) + 2 H + ( aq ) + 2e 2 H 2 O 2Cl ( aq ) 2e + Cl 2 ( g )
After adding the dark purple potassium permanganate solution, the colourless solution of 0.5 M acidified potassium iodide changes to brown solution. This happen because iodide ions in the solution are oxidized to the iodine and the electrons from the iodide ions are accepted by permanganate ions where permanganate ions are reduced to mangan (II). Thus, it shows that permanganate ions (potassium permanganate solution) are oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

MnO4 ( aq ) + 8H + ( aq ) + 5e Mn 2+ ( aq ) + 4H 2O
2 I I 2 + 2e

After adding the dark purple potassium permanganate solution, the pale green solution of 0.5 M acidified iron (II) sulphate changes to pale brown solution. This happen because iron (II) ions in the solution are oxidized to iron (III) ions and the electrons from the iron (II) ions are accepted by permanganate ions where permanganate ions are reduced to mangan (II). Thus, it shows that permanganate ions (potassium permanganate solution) are oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

MnO4 ( aq ) + 8H + ( aq ) + 5e Mn 2+ ( aq ) + 4H 2O
Fe 2+ ( aq ) Fe 3+ ( aq ) + e
After adding the dark purple potassium permanganate solution, the cloudy white solution of hydrogen sulphide changes to very cloudy white solution. This happen because hydrogen sulphide molecules in the solution are oxidized to sulphur molecules and the electrons from the iron (II) ions are accepted by permanganate ions where permanganate ions are reduced to mangan (II). Thus, it shows that permanganate ions (potassium permanganate solution) are oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

MnO4 ( aq ) + 8H + ( aq ) + 5e Mn 2+ ( aq ) + 4H 2O

H 2 S ( aq ) S ( s ) + 2 H + ( aq ) + 2e
The pale brown solution of concentrated hydrochloric acid changes to dark yellow solution. Bubbles are also formed as oxygen is produced. The gas produced, which is chlorine, in the test tube bleaches the blue damp litmus paper to white as chlorine is a strong bleaching agent while the red damp litmus paper remains unchanged as chlorine is acidic in nature. This happen because chloride ions in the solution are oxidized to chlorine molecules and the electrons from the chloride ions are accepted by permanganate ions where permanganate ions are reduced to mangan (II). Thus, it shows that permanganate ions (potassium permanganate solution) are oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

MnO4 ( aq ) + 8H + ( aq ) + 5e Mn 2+ ( aq ) + 4H 2O
2Cl ( aq ) 2e + Cl 2 ( g )
2. Experiment 2: To show that hydrogen sulphide is a reducing agent. Procedure/step 1. 2. 3. 4. Observation for each procedure/step The light purple colour of acidified potassium permanganate solution changes to a cloudy grey solution. The brown colour of acidified iron (III) chloride solution changes to a cloudy yellow solution. A light yellow deposit is obtained. There is no observation as sodium hydroxide is not available.

In procedure/step (1), hydrogen sulphide gas is bubbled from a Kipps apparatus into a very dilute solution of acidified potassium permanganate in a boiling tube, the light purple acidified potassium permanganate changed to grey. This happen because hydrogen sulphide acts as a reducing agent. Permanganate ion is reduced to mangan (II) ion while hydrogen sulphide is oxidized to sulphur. However, the low concentration of sulphur causes the solution to be cloudy grey. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

H 2 S ( aq ) S ( s ) + 2 H + ( aq ) + 2e

MnO4 ( aq ) + 8H + ( aq ) + 5e Mn 2+ ( aq ) + 4H 2O
When hydrogen sulphide is bubbled through a dilute solution of acidified iron (III) chloride, the brown acidified iron (III) chloride solution changes its colour to cloudy yellow. This happen because hydrogen sulphide acts as a reducing agent. Iron (III) ion is reduced to Iron (II) ion while hydrogen sulphide is oxidized to sulphur, which gives the colour of cloudy yellow to the solution. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

H 2 S ( aq ) S ( s ) + 2 H + ( aq ) + 2e
Fe 3+ ( aq ) + e Fe 2+ ( aq )
The solution is filtered through a double filter paper. The intensity of the cloudy yellow of the solution decreases as the sulphur formed is filtered out by the filter paper. Yellow substance, which is sulphur, can be seen remains on the filter paper and the filtrates colour is now light yellow. Sodium hydroxide is not available, thus there are no observation. However, it can be predicted that the filtrate changes the colour from light yellow to dark brown and dark green precipitation when sodium hydroxide is added. The predicted equation involved in this reaction is:

Fe 2+ ( aq ) + 2OH ( aq ) Fe( OH ) 2 ( s )
When the sodium hydroxide solution in excess is added to the filtrate, Iron (II) hydroxide, which is a green precipitate, is formed. However, the Iron (II) hydroxide is easily oxidized to Iron (III) hydroxide, which is dark brown in colour. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:
4 Fe( OH ) 2( s ) + O2 ( g ) + 2 H 2 O 4 Fe( OH ) 3( s )

3. Experiment 3: to show that nitrous acid may act as either an oxidizing or reducing agent. Procedure/step 2. 3. 4. Observation for each procedure/step The colourless solution of acidified potassium iodide changes to dark brown solution after mixing with sodium nitrate solution. The dark purple solution of acidified potassium permanganate changes to light purple solution after reacting with sodium nitrate solution. A pale green solution is formed after shaking a few crystal of iron (II) sulphate with 2 cm3 dilute sulphuric acid. A dark brownish green solution is formed when the solution is mixed with the 2 cm3 solution from step (3). After that, a brown ring is formed on the surface of the mixture when concentrated sulphuric acid is poured slowly into the mixture.

In procedure/step (2) sodium nitrite solution is gradually added to acidified potassium iodide. After the colourless sodium nitrite solution is added, the colourless acidified potassium iodide solution changes to dark brown solution because the presence of iodine after the iodide ion is oxidized by hydrogen ion. Thus, nitrous acid acts as an oxidizing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:
2 H + + 2 HNO2 + 2 I I 2 + 2 NO + 2 H 2 O

In procedure/step (3), sodium nitrite solution is added to a solution of potassium permanganate acidified with dilute sulphuric acid. After sodium nitrite solution is added, the dark purple solution of acidified potassium permanganate solution changes to light purple. This happen because the concentration of permanganate ions is decreased as they have been reduced to mangan (II) ions by the nitrous acid. However, the light purple colour of the mixture due to the excess permanganate ions that are not being reduced. Thus, it shows that nitrous acid is a reducing agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

H + + 5 HNO2 + 2 MnO4 5 NO3 + 2 Mn 2+ + 3H 2 O

In procedure/step (4), a few crystals of iron (II) sulphate are shaken with about 2cm 3 of dilute sulphuric acid. A pale green solution is formed which is iron (II) sulphate solution. When iron (II) sulphate solution is added with the mixture of sodium nitrite solution and acidified potassium permanganate solution, which is obtained in the procedure/step (3), the pale green colour of iron (II) sulphate solution changes to dark brownish green. This happen because iron (II) ions are oxidized to iron (III) ions, which shown by the dark brown colour solution while nitrate ion is reduced to nitrite ions. This shows that nitrous acid is an oxidising agent. The reaction can be shown by the equation below:

Fe 2+ ( aq ) Fe 3+ ( aq ) + e

NO3 ( aq ) + 3H + ( aq ) + 2e HNO2 ( aq ) + H 2 O
After that, the solution is added with concentrated sulphuric acid by pouring the concentrated sulphuric acid carefully down the side until it has formed a layer about 1cm deep under the iron (II) sulphate solution. A brown ring is formed on the surface of the mixture and it determines the presence of nitrite ions.