Help w/ Gravimetric Anaylsis of Mercury Oxide

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In summary, to use gravimetric analysis to find the percentage of mercury in a sample of mercury oxide, a scientist should perform a heat to constant mass analysis rather than fractional distillation. Mercury oxide expands and evaporates when heated, but it remains a solid and does not boil. The opposite of synthesis is decomposition, which can be achieved by heating the mercury oxide to produce mercury vapor. Distillation may be used to obtain liquid mercury for weighing, but this method is not commonly used in a real laboratory setting.
  • #1
help4drdu
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1. List the steps needed if a scientist is to use gravimetric analysis to find the percentage of mercury in a sample of mercury oxide. 2. Dont really know how to do it but i know you must use fractional distillation, right? and then everything is a mystery. Help will be greatly appreciated.
 
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  • #2
I don't think fractional distillation would be called gravimetric analysis. You should go for a heat to constant mass analysis.

What do you know about mercury oxide when heated?
 
  • #3
Note: mercury is volatile.
 
  • #4
Kushal said:
I don't think fractional distillation would be called gravimetric analysis. You should go for a heat to constant mass analysis.
I am not sure what is heat to constant mass analysis because i have not learned it yet and though question specifically says 'using gravimetric anaylsis' so I am confused.

Kushal said:
What do you know about mercury oxide when heated?
It expands and evaporates due a low boiling point, right?

Thanks for all the replies at the moment.
 
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  • #5
help4drdu said:
It expands and evaporates due a low boiling point, right?

No. It is solid. Solids don't boil.

What is opposite of synthesis?
 
  • #6
Borek said:
What is opposite of synthesis?

Decomposition, so if we heat mercury we are removing the oxide [ions or molecules? sorry not v. good chemistry] leaving us w/ pure mercury? [ sort of of a random guess]

I am sort of getting lost. Thanks anyways
 
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  • #7
Decomposition - you are right. Problem is, what is produced is a mercury vapor, not liquid mercury.

That's where the distillation may come handy. Once you have liquid mercury you can weight it...

Note, that most likely no one will do it this way in the real lab.
 
  • #8
Great thanks for the info Borek, you have been a great help.
 

FAQ: Help w/ Gravimetric Anaylsis of Mercury Oxide

What is gravimetric analysis?

Gravimetric analysis is a quantitative analytical method used to determine the amount of a substance present in a sample by measuring its mass. It involves isolating and weighing the substance of interest, often through precipitation or volatilization methods.

How is mercury oxide analyzed using gravimetric analysis?

To analyze mercury oxide using gravimetric analysis, the sample is first heated to convert all of the mercury to its oxide form. The oxide is then isolated through filtration and heated to convert it back to pure mercury. The difference in mass before and after the reaction is used to calculate the amount of mercury oxide present in the sample.

What are the sources of error in gravimetric analysis of mercury oxide?

The main sources of error in gravimetric analysis of mercury oxide include incomplete conversion of the sample to its oxide form, loss of the precipitate during filtration, and contamination by other substances during the analysis process. It is important to carefully control and monitor these factors to ensure accurate results.

What precautions should be taken when working with mercury oxide in gravimetric analysis?

Due to the toxicity of mercury, it is important to take proper precautions when working with mercury oxide in gravimetric analysis. This includes wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, working in a well-ventilated area, and properly disposing of all materials after the analysis is complete.

What are the advantages of gravimetric analysis over other analytical methods?

Gravimetric analysis has several advantages over other analytical methods. It is a highly accurate and precise method, as the results are based on the measurement of mass rather than volume or concentration. It is also a relatively simple and inexpensive method, making it suitable for routine analysis in laboratories.

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