Question

What is the formula and name of the compound produced at the end of the virtual lab, and what caused it to have a different appearance than the tin and nitric acid that you mixed at the beginning of the lab?

Answer 1

Answer: $SnO_2$ , $NO_2$ and $H_2O$ are formed at the end of the reaction. They are named as tin (IV) oxide or stannic oxide, nitrogen dioxide and water respectively.

Explanation: Reaction of tin and nitric acid is given as:

$Sn(s)+4HNO_3(aq.)\rightarrow SnO_2(s)+4NO_2(g)+2H_2O(l)$

Three products are formed at the end of the reaction which are:

• $SnO_2$ which is termed as stannic oxide or Tin (IV) oxide. This is a white colored solid.

• $NO_2$ which is termed as nitrogen dioxide. These are brown colored fumes.

• $H_2O$ which is termed as water.

At the starting tin was a silvery-white colored solid and after the reaction, it changed the color to milky-white. This change in color is due to the chemical reaction happening between tin and nitric acid.

Release of brown fumes are also an indication that a chemical reaction has taken place.