Question

1. Since you will be working with acids, bases, and very reactive metals, review the safety precautions listed in the lab instructions and summarize them here:

(a) List 3 of the most important safety concerns when working with reactive metals.

(b) List 3 of the most important safety concerns when working with acids.

(c) List 2 items of personal protection equipment (PPE) you will use.

2. Section C of the lab requires you to determine if a solution is an electrolyte or non-electrolyte. Define both terms and give an example for each term.

3. You will be working with sodium and potassium. If you accidentally get some on you, what are the recommended first aid measures? Go online and look up MSDS/SDS for these two metals; don't forget to reference your source(s).

4. In class you started learning about the periodic trends present in the periodic table (i.e. electronegativity, electron affinity, metallic/non-metallic properties, atomic radius, ionization energy etc.). If you were given lithium and beryllium, predict which element would react more vigorously with water to produce hydrogen gas? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

1 (a). i] First we should wear appropriate protective clothing like laboratory apron while working with reacting metal.

ii] Before working with please know how to diffuse the reactive metals.

iii] Keep reactive metals out of sunlight and away from heat sources.

(b) i] Wear a face shield, acid resistant gloves, and aprons when working with acids.

ii] while working with acids if you need to dilute the acids then carefully add the acid to the water, not the water to the acid.

  iii] Work in a chemical fume hood when handling concentrated acid.

(c). i] Safety Glasses, Goggles

ii] Lab Coats,Aprons

2. Electrolytes: Electrolytes are the substances which conduct electricity either in molten state or aqueous solution

Examples: All strong Acids & Bases like Hydrochloric Acid, NaOH, etc.,

Non-Electrolytes: Non-electrolytes are the substances which doesn't conducts electricity either in molten state or in aqueous solution.

Examples: Urea, Sugar etc.,

3. When the sodium or potassium metal fall on your cloth then take off immediately and store it in a non-combustible container under mineral oil, and don't wash the affected area with water. If a metal fragments embedded in the skin with non-toxic mineral oil or cooking oil and transport victim to an emergency care facility

4. Lithium will react more vigorously with water compare to Beryllium to produce hydrogen gas. But usually Beryllium will not react with water at ordinary temperatures because of its high ionization energy and small size compare to Lithium, but at elevated temperatures Beryllium can react with water.