metal or nonmetal lab

Livia and Kathrine

Abstract:

The purpose of this lab was to explore the properties of six different elements and decide whether each of element is a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid. We categorized the elements A, B, C, E, F, G and designed data tables for each one. We decided whether each element was metallic or nonmetallic, a conductor or a nonconductor, malleable or brittle, reactive with copper chloride, and reactive with hydrochloric acid through several procedures. In the hydrochloric acid and copper chloride tests, we found that our results altered overtime. Because of that, we had to go back and change some of our original results. After comparing our results with the other groups and the books results we found that there could have been errors in the way we executed our tests. During the conductivity test we most likely had issues during the procedure, this meaning that the electrical current did not full stream through when the element was a metal. When the data had been collected it was difficult for us to categorize the different types of elements. Choosing if something was a metal, metalloid, or a nonmetal was difficult because we weren't sure if we had make mistakes during the procedure or if it was an element that did not contain that ability. 

Procedure: 

First, we designed a data table for each of these elements, recording their appearance, conductivity, malleability, reactivity with copper chloride, and reactivity with hydrochloric acid.  We placed all of these elements in a well. 

We discovered just by our initial observations that the appearance of element A was silver and not extremely metallic, taking the shape of a round, flat rock. After testing the electrical conductivity of this element by using an apparatus, we found that it was a nonconductive material. After the crushing test, which we completed by simply crushing the element with a heavy object, we discovered that element A was very tough and did not shatter or flatten. After testing the reactivity with the hydrochloric acid by placing the acid in the wells, we discovered that element A did not react with the acid. In order to test the reactivity with copper chloride, we added 15-20 drops of 0.1 M copper chloride to each sample. We found that element A was not reactive with the acid. In order to test it's reactivity with copper chloride, we placed the copper chloride into each sample's wells. We discovered that the element started to corrode into a reddish color.

Element B was a thin sheet with a yellowish metallic appearance, and it was very reflective. After testing the electrical conductivity of this element, we discovered that is was a conductor. After the crushing test, we found that element B was very malleable. Element B reacted with the hydrochloric acid, and some of the yellowish tint was removed from the element. We found that this element was reactive with the copper chloride acid and turned to a darker metallic color, with the yellow tint almost nonexistent. After completing the copper chloride test, we discovered that element B was slightly reactive and turned into a darker yellow tint. 

Element C was a shiny, dark rock with small holes. After the crushing test, we found that the element was not malleable and slightly brittle. After the electrical conductivity test, we discovered that it was not a conductor. Element C also had no reaction with the hydrochloric acid. After the copper chloride test, we found that this element did not react with the acid. 

Element E took the form of thin, flat shards with a bright yellow tint. It was not at all malleable and extremely brittle. Element E was not electrically conductive. There was a slight reaction when placing the element in hydrochloric acid, the surrounding liquid turned yellow.  After testing the reactivity with copper chloride, we found that the liquid surrounding the element turned a greenish yellow color.

Element F was a matte, charcoal colored rock. After the crushing test, it appeared that the element was not malleable and was very brittle. We found that the element was not electrically conductive and had no effect in the hydrochloric acid. After testing the reactivity with copper chloride, we found that there was no reaction.

Element G, taking the form of a twisted light grey rock, was not malleable and slightly brittle. Element G was also not electrically conductive. After the hydrochloric acid procedure, this element turned to a darker charcoal color. After the copper chloride test, element G turned to black and started to deteriorate. 

Aggregated class data: 

1. The malleability test was used to see if their was a physical change in the elements. The tests with the copper chloride, and the hydrochloric acid, were used to test if the elements would undergo a chemical change when combined with these chemicals. 
2. E, F, and G are grouped together because of their similarities in the physical reaction test. All three were brittle and could be broken easily. A, B,C were not brittle, but B was extremely malleable. Even thought these elements are grouped together in the physical test, they did not react the same way in the chemical reaction test. A,B, C, E, and G were all reactive with the chemicals. 
3. E and G had both physical and chemical reactions. Both of these elements underwent physical and chemical changes during the tests. 
4. A- Metalloid, B- Metal, C-  Non-metal, E- Metalloid, F- Non-metal, G- Metalloid