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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2003  > March  >
In the Laboratory
Stoichiometry of the Reaction of Magnesium with Hydrochloric Acid
Venkat Chebolu and Barbara C. Storandt
Laboratory Science Department, Jefferson Community College, Watertown, NY 13601

Cover
March 2003
Vol. 80 No. 3
p. 305

Abstract
This experiment determines the stoichiometry of a reaction of magnesium and HCl by measuring the pressure of the hydrogen gas produced using a PASCO Absolute Pressure Sensor and a PASCO Science Workshop 500 computer interface. A constant amount of excess HCl is reacted with varying amounts of magnesium solid. The change in pressure in a constant-volume (500-mL Erlenmeyer flask) system is measured. The relationship between moles of magnesium reacted and moles of hydrogen produced are plotted. The primary advantage of this simple procedure is the opportunity for continuous interaction between the teacher, students, and data as the data are being collected. Additional advantages are that students can run several samples in a relatively short time (at least five in a three-hour period) and can develop a real-time understanding of the relationship between the amount of gas produced by a reaction and the pressure in the reaction container. The experiment incorporates the use of technology, graphing, and spreadsheet data analysis and is appropriate for either a general or introductory chemistry laboratory.
Supplement
Instructions for the students are available.
*  Contents JCE2003p0305W.doc (Microsoft Word)
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More Information
*  Citation
Chebolu, Venkat; Storandt, Barbara C. J. Chem. Educ. 2003 80 305.
*  Keywords
Computer Assisted Instruction; General Chemistry; Stoichiometry; Laboratory Instruction
*  History
Created:
Last Updated:
February 6, 2003
February 28, 2005
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2003  > March  > Page 305


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