Chemistry lab paper sherlock holmes experiment Essay Example
Chemistry lab paper sherlock holmes experiment Essay Example

Chemistry lab paper sherlock holmes experiment Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (524 words)
  • Published: December 8, 2017
  • Type: Research Paper
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The main goal of the Sherlock Holmes Experiment was to showcase that some chemicals can be distinguished through simple chemical tests such as color, pH, or solubility testing. Our group used common powders like Alkali-Seltzer, baking soda, flour, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and salt for testing purposes. We also utilized vinegar and Iodine 2 Solution as additional chemicals. Each group had five test tubes and red litmus paper for equipment. After obtaining all the necessary materials, we conducted five different tests to identify the properties of each powder material.

The first test was conducted to observe the reaction of the powder materials in water. We added a scoop of each common powder into equal amounts of water, separately in each test tube. Then we mixed and recorded our obser

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vations. Flour was found to be insoluble in water while Vitamin C dissolved. Similarly, salt, Alkali-Seltzer, and baking soda were also found to be insoluble in water. In the second test, we determined the reaction of each solution with litmus paper. An example of this is when we put pieces of red litmus paper in each test tube containing flour, Vitamin C, and salt with no observable reaction; therefore, the litmus paper remained its original color of red.During our experiments, we tested various substances using litmus paper, vinegar, and iodine 2 solution. We found that when we put the litmus paper in Alkali-Seltzer and baking soda, it turned blue. We added half a milliliter of vinegar to each test tube in the third test and observed a milky solution when added to flour, but no reaction when added to vitamin C or salt. Whe

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we mixed vinegar with the Alkali-Seltzer and baking soda, it had a bubbly and foaming reaction. In the fourth test, we added half a milliliter of iodine 2 solution to each test tube, causing the flour to turn black and the vitamin C and salt to turn orange with no physical or chemical reaction. Baking soda turned an orange-brown color with no reaction, and when we tested our mystery powder (powder C), it did not dissolve in water, turned the litmus paper blue, and created a foaming reaction when mixed with vinegar. Our group had powder C in this experiment for our Sherlock Holmes Mystery.After mixing the iodine solution, we observed no reaction and the solution turned to a dark brown/black color. Adding baking soda yielded no reaction yet resulted in an even darker shade. Having tested the mystery powder, our next task was to identify the culprit who stole Kamala Jackson's pad. Ruby, Alma, Manly, and Beau were our four suspects who were present at the time of the theft. By comparing common powders to the mystery powder, we were able to eliminate flour, vitamin C, and salt as possible matches. This left us with the Alkali-Seltzer and baking soda, both of which bore striking similarities to the mystery powder. Our investigation led us to believe that Beau or Alma were responsible for stealing the pad. Ultimately, we determined that Beau was the culprit due to evidence linking him to Alkali-Seltzer tablets containing citric acid and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).

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