Metal or Nonmetal Lab Report

Metal or Nonmetal Lab Report 

Abby, Layla, and Jilly

• Abstract
•        In this lab report, we tested various samples of elements and learned how to test them to conclude if they were a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid. We had to be very careful throughout the lab because we were using acid. First, we recorded the appearance of all of the samples. Second we tested the conductivity. Thirdly, we tested if the samples were malleable or brittle. Lastly, we tested reactivity with both Copper(II) Chloride and Acid. We learned how to test substances and which qualities go with metals, nonmetals, and metalloids. In addition, we learned about why we use certain elements for certain jobs. For example, you wouldn't want to use a nonmetal element if you needed a sturdy element. This lab helped us understand metals, nonmetals, and metalloids and their qualities. 
• Procedure 
• Safety
• Be sure to follow all the usual safety rules and wear all safety clothing including gloves
• Be careful around the acid as it can be harmful to skin
• Appearance
• Make a chart and record the color, luster, and form of each element 
• Conductivity

• Touch the electrodes to the sample, being careful not to touch the tips
• If the sample lights the light bulb, then it is a conductor. If it doesn't then it is a nonconductor. 
• Make note that metals are conductors
• Crushing

• Using the beaker stand, hit each sample with the holder and record if it breaks 
• Reactivity with Copper(II) Chloride

• Place all of the samples in a clean well plate and place it upon a labeled piece of paper 
• Add 15-20 drops of .1 M copper(II) chloride to each sample
• Let sit 5 minuets 
• Record results and discard the well plate 
• Reactivity with Acid









• Place new samples in a clean well plate and place it upon a labeled piece of paper 
• Add 15-20 drops of .5 M HCL to each sample
• Record results
• Discard the well plate
• Results
•       We went through each sample and gave our opinion as to if it was a metal, metalloid, or nonmetal. Some of the results varied throughout the different groups possibly because they touched the electrodes together causing false conductivity or interpreting results differently. We concluded that samples A, C, D, F, and G are metals. We also concluded that B was a metalloid and E was a non metal. Most of the varying results were with samples D and G. Sample F was the most agreeable as a metal.
  
  All Samples:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Charts:
  
  Class Data:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Questions: 
• 1. Appearance - physical
      Conductivity - chemical
      Crushing - physical 
      Reactivity to CuCl2 - chemical
      Reactivity to HCl - chemical
  
  
  2. Chemical - A, C, G
      Physical - B, D, E, F
  
  
  3. Elements B and D could fit into the chemical properties group because they both conducted electricity. 
  
  
  4. a- metal, b- metalloid, c- metal, d-metal, e- nonmetal, f- metal, g-metal