Water Ion Lab
Water Ion Lab
Purpose: determine whether or not certain ions are present in your water.
Background Info: We are using three solutions to determine certain ions, the first solution, reference solution, is known to have the ion in question dissolved in it. The second solution, control, is distilled water, which is known to possess the ion in question. The third solution, test, is the water we brought. By comparing the results of the test solution with the reference and control solutions we are able to determine whether or not the ion is present.
Materials: paper, plastic covering, testing solutions, distilled water, tap water, and the squeezer.
Procedure: Duke and I followed the procedure on the water ion investigation paper.
We made a data table to record our results.
Test Solution Solution Color Was a precipitate formed? Is the ion present?
Na2CO3 Ca2+ reference Milky white Yes Yes
Na2CO3 Test Water Clear No No
Na2CO3 Control Clear No No
AgNO3 Cl- reference Milky white Yes Yes
AgNO3 Test Water Clear Yellowish Yes Yes
AgNO3 Control Clear No No
KSCN Fe3+ reference Red Yes Yes
KSCN Test Water Clear No No
KSCN Control Clear No No
BaCl2 SO42- reference Grey-ish White Yes Yes
BaCl2 Test Water Clear No No
BaCl2 Control Clear No No
Conclusion:
1. I know that a chemical reaction took place when the color of the solution changed, and when a precipitate was formed.
2. AgNO3, the ion was present in the test water, because a precipitate was formed and there was a color change. It is very significant that the water in the school tap has signs of sodium carbonate.
3. If there was a color change and if a precipitate was formed then the ion is in question, in the control and reference solution.
4. No, because I don’t have enough information I know that an ion was present based off of my results but I don’t know which specific ion it is.