An Examination of Physical and Chemical Reactions Producing Accurate Inferences

Introduction

This report critically elaborates and gives a vivid description about both physical and chemical reactions determined to analytically give correct inferences based on the experimental end results. A concrete analytical data is given to show the possible outcome and the end results of the laboratory experiment. For example, the separation of salt from sand should involve the physical experimental process in order to come up with two separate products of the same mixture. Consequently, in order to separate the two products; their matter forms should be keenly looked into. It is quite clear that sand is insoluble while salt is soluble hence, making it easier to dissolve the salt by adding water and stirring up. Equally, the salt being insoluble; it will remain as filtration or sieving process takes place.

By filtering we shall have two products; and these will be the solvent (salt water) and the residue (sand). At this stage we shall have separated sand from salt but still the process of evaporation will be employed to separate salt from salt water. This is possible because the boiling point for salt is quite higher as compared to that of water. At the temperature of 100˚ Celsius the water will evaporate to vapor as the sold salt dries up. Finally, the two products (sand and salt) will be obtained from the mixture of the two

Experimental data

Experimental data is the final information obtained after a given experiment has been done. The experiment can be done in the lab of in an open space especially where reactive agents are not involved. But if it’s a simpler experiment like that one of salt and sand; it can be done from anywhere provided the apparatus to be used are available.

However, chemical experiments should be done from the laboratory in order to avoid possible errors and accidents which might arise as a result of exposure in the outside. An example is the chemical reaction between a strong acid, hydrochloric acid (HCL) and a base Sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The end result of this chemical reaction will be sodium chloride and water (Hartman & Meshbesher, 2009). This can be illustrated in the chemical equation as shown below;

Hcl (aq) + NaOH (aq) →Nacl (aq) + H2O (l)

Acid + base → salt + water

The above equation shows the chemical reaction between a strong acid and the base. The final products are as shown above and this is what is termed as the experimental data. The data or rather information helps in giving the inferences of an experiment based on the end products and the general chemical reaction.

Equally, the chemical reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium bicarbonate results to three products (sodium chloride, carbon dioxide and water). It is actually a chemical reaction between two compounds but we can see three products produced. This is evident as of the chemical equation below.

HCl (aq) + Na2CO3 (aq) → 2Nacl (aq) + CO2 (g) + HO2 (l)

NB

Hydrochloric acid is a strong, toxic and corrosive acid. Therefore, is must be handled with great care in order to avoid accidents. Further, it should be understood that if the acid spills on the body, water should be used for cleaning up to avoid body reaction.

Further, it is good to understand that not all substances react with hydrochloric acid in chemical reactions. This has been tested and it was realized that there is no reaction between sand and hydrochloric acid. The below experimental equation illustrates it vividly.

HCL (aq) + Sand (s) ¬¬¬¬¬ → No reaction (NR)

According to this kind of experiment, young scientists are able to understand fully the reaction processes of various compounds and the entire process of mixture separation (Hartman & Meshbesher, 2009). Through such physical and chemical experiments, the concept of chemical mixing and separation if fully understood.

Results and discussions

The end results for all experiment explains better the reaction process and the chemical compounds involved. It is out the experimental results that students will be able to make inferences and explain the reaction process involved in an experiment. For example, based on the lab experiments; the result between hydrochloric acid and sodium bicarbonate is sodium chloride, carbon dioxide and water. The three products produced tell us more on the chemical reaction and its rate of occurrence (Haan & Bosch, 2012). Actually, the results enable students to discuss widely and broadly about the subject tested thus better explained based on the concept of solubility of matter and various chemical compounds. Equally, the equation below shows the non-chemical reaction which produces no reaction at the long run. The acid does not react with sand thus any chemical reaction experienced.

HCL (aq) + Sand (s) ¬¬¬¬¬ → No reaction (NR)

Most importantly, students will understand that salt is soluble and that is why it dissolves in water once water is added to it. Unlike sand which is insoluble and this characteristic enables it not to dissolve in water upon mixing. Additionally, the study of solubility as a field of study is keenly looked into for more teaching and higher learning.

Equally, on the side of chemical reactions the same discussions are held as students get a chance to explain what happens during the reaction process based on the process. For example, the chemical reaction between sodium carbonate and hydrochloric acid results to sodium chloride plus carbon dioxide and water (Lapiga, 2007). This can be seen as illustrated below;

HCl (aq) + Na2CO3 (aq) → 2Nacl (aq) + CO2 (g) + HO2 (l)

Sodium chloride (in aqueous state), carbon dioxide (gaseous form) and water in liquid form are the end results of the above chemical reaction. This will help students understand that out of the two aqueous states, three chemical products are produced whereby the carbon gas is actually one of the products. All these chemical equations champion the concept of experimental approach upon which chemical inferences and studies are made (Tennessee, 2009). Consequently, discussions are very vital and so helpful for science scholars especially in articulating on the experimental package of various chemical reactions and mixture separations.

Conclusion

Conclusively, laboratory experiments are the founding pillars of the scientific world. Basically, all these experiments are focused in giving a critical study and analysis of both physical and chemical separation concepts. Specifically, conclusions are drawn or reached at once a given set of experiment has been done.

This zero rates the error package; which is most likely to occur through manual systems of experimenting. However, there were no possible errors experienced with our experiments apart from the physical ones such spilling of the acid on the floor. The erroneous package will be solved through creating more confidence in students and ensuring masterly of experimental content in order to avoid such practical eventualities.