CHM 1045L Florida International University

Investigation of a Powder

Purpose

The purpose of this experiment is to use suction filtration to separate a mixture of barium sulfate and
copper sulfate pentahydrate and determine the percent composition of these compounds in a mixture.

Introduction

Filtration is a technique used by scientists to separate an insoluble solid material from a liquid. When
performing a filtration, the sample to be separated is poured over filter paper. The liquid can pass through,
but the solid remains on top of the filter paper. The liquid component produced during filtration is known
as the filtrate, whereas the solid component is referred to as the precipitate. Filtration is a useful technique
when separating compounds with varying degrees of solubility – for example, if one compound is soluble
in water and a second compound is not, then by dissolving the first in water, filtration can be used to
separate the two.

There are two types of filtration commonly used in laboratory settings, and are distinguished by which
portion of the separated mixture – the filtrate or the precipitate – is to be used for future study. Gravity
filtration is a type of filtration in which the filtrate flows through the filter paper unassisted by any other
outside forces except for gravity (Figure 1). Gravity filtration is often used when the filtrate is the
component of interest – for example, when removing a solid impurity from a sample. A second type of
filtration commonly used is suction filtration, where the filtrate is forced through the filter paper through
the use of a vacuum (Figure 2). Suction filtration is most often used when the precipitate is the component
of interest. The vacuum is used to remove as much of the filtrate from the filter paper and precipitate as
possible so that the precipitate can be used or measured accurately.

Figure 1: Gravity Filtration Figure 2: Suction Filtration

Pre-Lab Questions

1. Barium Sulfate (BaSO4) is a white powder that is insoluble in water. Copper sulfate pentahydrate
(CuSO4·5H2O) is a bright blue compound that is soluble in water. If a mixture of these two compounds
were placed in water, which compound would be the precipitate? Which compound would be present
in the filtrate?
2. Why is suction filtration used in this experiment versus gravity filtration? How can suction filtration
assist with determining the percent composition of these two compounds in an unknown?

Procedure

 Obtain an unknown powder and write the unknown number in Data Table 1. In addition, note the
overall color of the unknown in Data Table 1.
 Weigh by difference between 4.5 -5.0 g of the unknown sample and place inside a 100 mL beaker.
Record any mass readings to the nearest 0.001 g.
 Add approximately 20 mL of water to the beaker and stir using the glass rod. Once you have begun
stirring the sample, do not remove the glass rod from the beaker; however, be careful not to tip the
beaker over!
 Place the beaker on a hot plate set at moderate heat (between 4-5 on the dial). Allow the sample to heat
for 10-15 minutes (with occasional stirring). Be careful to avoid boiling the sample – apply a moderate
heat to assist in dissolving.
 While the sample is heating, obtain a watch glass and label with your name and your lab partner’s
name using green tape. In addition, obtain a piece of filter paper to use for the filtration.
 Weigh the watch glass (already labeled!!) and the filter paper and record this weight in Data Table 1.
 Set up the suction filtration set up using Figure 2 as a guide.
 It is very important to clamp the filter flask to a ring stand for stability! Once the vacuum is working,
the flask will become very unstable with the potential to tip over and break if not clamped down
securely!
 Place the filter paper inside the Buchner funnel. In order to create a proper seal, use a squirt bottle
filled with deionized water to wet the paper and make it more malleable. Carefully seal all of the holes
of the funnel with the filter paper so that the vacuum works properly.
 Turn on the vacuum to test the seal of the apparatus. You may squeeze some water onto the paper to
assess the flow of liquid through the set up. If the water flows slowly or not at all, this may be an
indication of a leak present that is not allowing for a complete vacuum to be established.
 Once the filtration set up has been established, slowly pour the heated mixture onto the center of the
filter paper.
 The glass rod may be used as a guide so as to avoid any contents spilling out from the funnel.
 To further rinse the precipitate, add small increments of warm water (2-4 mL at a time) until the filtrate
out of the funnel runs clear.
 Make sure that all of the precipitate has been removed from the glass rod and beaker by using the
squirt bottle to transfer the solid onto the filter paper.
 Check the filtrate. If it is cloudy, some of the filtrate may have passed through. To ensure accurate
results, stop the vacuum, place the filtrate into a beaker, set up the filtration apparatus and pass the
filtrate through the filter paper a second time (slowly! Do not disturb the powder on the filter paper!!
 Once the filtrate has run clear, leave the vacuum on for 1-2 minutes to dry out the filter paper. Turn off
the vacuum and very carefully remove the filter paper from the Buchner funnel, being extra careful not
to lose any of the precipitate.
 Place the filter paper on the previously weighed watch glass and place in the oven to dry for 15-20
minutes. Be sure to check on the paper from time to time so that you do not burn it!
CHM 1045L Florida International University

 Remove the watch glass carefully from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature. Re-weigh
the watch glass and filter paper and record the weight in Data Table 1.
 Clean up all glass ware and place in the appropriate locations. The filtrate should be disposed of in the
inorganic waste, and the precipitate in the solid waste.

Data

Data Table 1

Unknown Number: _____________________________

Observations of unknown:

Weight of beaker

Weight of beaker + unknown sample

Weight of unknown sample used

Weight of watch glass + filter paper

Weight of watch glass + filter paper + precipitate

Weight of precipitate

Data Analysis

Be sure to show all calculations to answer the following questions.

Determine the weight of the unknown sample used.

Determine the weight of the precipitate collected.

Determine the percentage of the precipitate based on the two questions above.

Hint: Remember that percentage is defined as “part” divided by the “whole” x 100!

Knowing that the unknown is only composed of two compounds, determine the percentage of the filtrate
compound in the unknown.

Reference

Moore, H.; Morales, Z.C.; Xie-Wang, H. Investigation of a Powder. In Laboratory Manual General
Chemistry I. Florida International University, 1997, pp 24 - 26.

Palmer Graves & Vanessa Thompson

Revised: Summer 2012