Types of Chemical Reactions

            In this lab we were asked to do multiple chemical reactions and observe what was occurring before and during the reaction. We performed two synthesis reactions, combining two or more substances to create a new substance, one decomposition reaction, taking one substance and breaking it into two or more substances, two single replacement reactions, where part of one metal is switched with a metal from a compound to form a new compound and a metal, and lastly two double replacement reactions, where two metals in different substances are switched to make two new substances. For our first synthesis reaction we took a piece of a copper wire and used sandpaper to shine it. We observed the appearance of the wire and noted it. We then held the copper wire up to the hottest part of the flame on the burner for 2 minutes, we observed what happened to the wire as it was heated, and the appearance of the wire changed as it touched the flame. For our second synthesis reaction we took a ribbon of magnesium and examined it. Then we put it into the flame and it lit, it created a very, very, very bright white light. After the magnesium burned we put its ashes in the evaporating dish and examined them. Next we performed the decomposition reaction. For this reaction we used two heaping micro spatulas of copper II carbonate and place them in a clean, dry test tube and we observed it appearance. The substance was a green powder. After heating the substance for 3 minutes we noted that it had changed to a clack powder. We put a burning wood splint into the test tube and it was put out, this was because one of the products of the synthesis of the copper II carbonate was CO2, and that was what put the flame out. The next reaction we were asked to perform were two single replacement reactions. For the first one we had 5ml of Hydrochloric Acid poured into a test tube. Then we dropped a piece of zinc into the HCL and observed what was occurring.