Sulfur and iron: mixture vs compound

Summary

In this experiment, black iron filings and yellow sulfur powder are mixed together, creating a gray mixture. Using a magnet, the iron filings are separated from the sulfur. When the mixture is heated, the two elements react to form iron sulfide, a new compound that is different from both iron and sulfur. The reaction is accompanied by glowing, and the resulting iron sulfide cannot be separated by a magnet, demonstrating the creation of a chemical compound through heating and mixing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Black iron filings and yellow sulfur powder are mixed together, forming a gray mixture.
• 😀 The mixture can be separated by physical methods, such as using a magnet to remove iron filings.
• 😀 The sulfur in the mixture looks gray due to impurities from the iron filings.
• 😀 When heated in a test tube, iron and sulfur react to form a new compound: iron sulfide.
• 😀 Initially, sulfur melts as the mixture is heated.
• 😀 As heating continues, iron and sulfur react together to form iron sulfide.
• 😀 The reaction continues even after the Bunsen burner is removed, causing the tube to glow.
• 😀 The gray-black solid formed from the reaction is iron sulfide, a new compound.
• 😀 Iron sulfide cannot be separated by a magnet, unlike the original iron filings.
• 😀 The iron and sulfur reaction produces a compound that is chemically different from the two original elements.

Q & A

What happens when black iron filings and yellow sulfur powder are mixed together?

When black iron filings and yellow sulfur powder are thoroughly mixed, they form a gray mixture of the two elements.

How can the mixture of iron filings and sulfur be separated?

The mixture can be separated using physical methods, such as applying a magnet to remove the iron filings, leaving the sulfur behind.

Why does the sulfur appear gray after separating the iron filings?

The sulfur appears gray due to impurities from the iron filings that remain mixed with it after the separation.

Can the sulfur and iron be separated by using a magnet?

Yes, the iron filings can be removed using a magnet, but the sulfur cannot be separated by this method.

What happens when the iron and sulfur mixture is heated in a test tube?

When heated, the sulfur melts, and as the heating continues, the iron and sulfur begin to react and form a new compound: iron sulfide.

What changes occur when the Bunsen burner is removed during the reaction?

When the Bunsen burner is removed, the test tube continues to glow as the reaction between the iron and sulfur proceeds.

What is formed as a result of the reaction between iron and sulfur?

The reaction forms a gray-black, brittle solid called iron sulfide.

How is iron sulfide different from the original materials?

Iron sulfide is a new compound that is chemically distinct from both iron and sulfur, and cannot be separated by physical methods like magnetism.

Why can't iron sulfide be separated by a magnet?

Iron sulfide cannot be separated by a magnet because it is a new compound, and its properties differ from those of the individual iron and sulfur elements.

What does the continued glowing of the test tube indicate after the Bunsen burner is removed?

The continued glowing of the test tube indicates that the reaction between iron and sulfur is still ongoing, even after the external heat source has been removed.