Science - Making Table Salt

Making Table Salt

Aim:

To produce sodium chloride crystals by neutralizing an acid with a base.

Method:

1. Measure 10ml of Hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the small measuring cylinder and pour into a beaker.

2. Add sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to the acid a few drops at a time while stirring with a glass stirring rod.

3. Use the glass stirring rod to transfer a drop of the solution to a spotting tile. Add a drop of universal indicator.

4. Once it is neutralized (pH = 7 - green), pour the liquid into an evaporating dish and heat till it boils slowly.

Observations:

1. The acid was clear and watery.

2. When the base was added the mixture turned bubbly.

3. When the universal indicator was added, it continuously went red.

4. The mixture bubbled, and then small, white salt crystals formed.

Word equation for the reaction:

Hydrochloric Acid + Sodium Hydroxide  --->  Sodium Chloride + Water.

Balanced symbol equation for the reaction: HCl + NaOH  -->  NaCl + H20.