What This Document Is
This document outlines a General Chemistry I laboratory experiment focused on stoichiometry – the quantitative relationship between reactants and products in chemical reactions. Specifically, it details a procedure for a precipitation reaction between calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), designed to illustrate the concept of limiting reactants. The lab report includes pre-lab instructions, a theoretical introduction to stoichiometry and limiting reactants, experimental procedures, and a section for recording and discussing results.
Why This Document Matters
This lab is crucial for Drexel University CHEM 101 students. It provides hands-on experience applying stoichiometric principles learned in lecture to a real-world chemical process. Understanding limiting reactants is fundamental to predicting reaction yields and optimizing chemical processes, making this experiment a cornerstone of introductory chemistry. It’s typically used after students have been introduced to mole concepts, chemical equations, and balancing reactions.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document is a lab *report* and *procedure*; it does not provide a comprehensive review of stoichiometry itself. Students are expected to already possess a foundational understanding of these concepts. The report focuses on the practical application of these principles, not on deriving the underlying equations or exploring advanced stoichiometric calculations. It also doesn’t offer troubleshooting advice for common experimental errors.
What This Document Provides
The full document includes:
* A detailed, step-by-step procedure for performing the precipitation reaction and determining the mass of the calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) precipitate.
* A pre-lab section outlining necessary materials (test tubes, funnels, CaCl₂, NaOH, etc.).
* A theoretical introduction explaining the law of conservation of mass, stoichiometry, limiting reactants, and percent yield.
* A data table for recording initial and final masses, volumes of reactants, and calculated results.
* Example data from a completed experiment, including calculations of moles present and theoretical yield.
This preview *does not* include the completed data tables, detailed calculations, or the student’s discussion of results. It also does not include the signed data page required for submission.
