Unit 8: Chemical Composition & Reactions
Reading
BJU: Ch. 8 "Chemical Composition and Reactions"
AP: Zumdahl Chemistry Ch. 3 "Stoichiometry"
Topics
Labs
Virtual labs which pertain to the topics covered:
BJU: Ch. 8 "Chemical Composition and Reactions"
AP: Zumdahl Chemistry Ch. 3 "Stoichiometry"
Topics
- Five types of reactions
- Oxidation numbers
- Naming compounds
- Writing chemical equations
Labs
- Copper Compounds lab. This is a fun lab which illustrates virtually every single topic covered in this chapter.
- Lab Extension: Treatment of Copper-Contaminated Water, with the accompanying environmental case study.
- AP lab: Separation of a Ternary Mixture
Virtual labs which pertain to the topics covered:
- "Balancing Chemical Equations" PhET weblab
- "Reactants, Products, and Leftovers" PhET weblab (both these weblabs are excellent)
Chemical reaction: The Hot Wheels car is made of zinc diecast metal (Zn), which is easily attacked by nitric acid (HNO3). The entire 1 minute time lapse video is on the right. If someone reminds me, we can try re-creating this during a regular lab session.

7._reactions_oxidation_numbers_lecture_notes.docx |
Lecture outline
- Chemical formulas
- Oxidation numbers
- Polyatomic ions, or "radicals"
- Naming compounds (nomenclature)
- Writing chemical equations
- Symbols used in chemical equations
- Balancing chemical equations
- Common symbols used in chemical equations
- Five types of chemical reactions
- Synthesis A + B = AB
- Decomposition AB = A + B
- Single replacement A + BC = B + AC
- Double replacement AB + CD = AD + BC
- Combustion CH4 + O2 = CO2 + 2H2O

copper_compounds_lab_handout_with_equations_2pp.pdf |

copper_compounds_lab_report_student_exemplar.docx |
Copper Compounds lab
This is a classic series of experiments done in chemistry labs for 100 years.
Copper makes two kinds of salts:
This is a classic series of experiments done in chemistry labs for 100 years.
Copper makes two kinds of salts:
- Cuprous salts (such as cuprous chloride, CuCl) are colorless.
- Cupric salts (such as cupric sulfate, CuSO4) are bright blue in color.
- We can easily make several copper compounds which demonstrate synthesis, replacement, and decomposition reactions. The end results are usually brilliant blue, or greenish-blue, compounds.
Lab Extension: Treatment of Copper-Contaminated Water (goes with the Water Purification case study, below)
Environmental Science is an excellent platform for learning the principles of chemistry! We will spend a couple lab sessions on environmental remediation topics.
Procedure: Removal of dissolved copper contamination from water supplies using 1) electro-winning, and 2) hydroxide precipitation methods. For the electro-winning apparatus, we will use a 5V DC power supply with a carbon anode and steel high-surface-area reticulated cathode. For the hydroxide precipitation method, we will reference an EPA "heavy metals solubility chart" and raise the pH to the optimum level using Caustic Soda (NaOH) and Ammonium Hydroxide (NH4OH) in a side-by-side comparison. Alum will then be added as a flocculant aid.
Environmental Science is an excellent platform for learning the principles of chemistry! We will spend a couple lab sessions on environmental remediation topics.
Procedure: Removal of dissolved copper contamination from water supplies using 1) electro-winning, and 2) hydroxide precipitation methods. For the electro-winning apparatus, we will use a 5V DC power supply with a carbon anode and steel high-surface-area reticulated cathode. For the hydroxide precipitation method, we will reference an EPA "heavy metals solubility chart" and raise the pH to the optimum level using Caustic Soda (NaOH) and Ammonium Hydroxide (NH4OH) in a side-by-side comparison. Alum will then be added as a flocculant aid.

copper_compounds_lab_report_STUDENT EXEMPLAR.docx |
AP Lab: Separation of a Ternary Mixture

separating_a_ternary_mixture_instructions.docx |

separating_a_ternary_mixture_student_worksheet.docx |
Chemical Reactions Homework

7._chemical_reactions_homework_2023.docx |
Another Lab Extension: Environmental Case Study

8._environmental__wastewater__case_study.docx |

solubility_vs_ph_for_6_heavy_metals__from_epa_.png |

effluent_guidelines__from_clean_water_act_2018_.docx |

characteristics_of_electroplating_wastewater_in_india_2016.pdf |