Your instructor will conduct an experiment using solid zinc and solid iodine to yield solid zinc iodide as shown in the chemical equation below. This type of reaction is known as a synthesis reaction because bonds are only being formed in the reaction, no bonds are broken.

Zn (s) + I₂ (s) → ZnI₂ (s)          

1. Zinc and iodine will be combined in a 1:1 molar ratio as indicated in the balanced equation above. Corresponding gram amounts are shown in the table below.
2. After weighing out appropriate amounts of zinc and iodine, the two solids will be ground together using a mortar and pestle (your instructor will demonstrate).
3. The contents will then be transferred to a test tube mounted to a ring stand inside the fume hood.
4. A surface temperature probe will then be adhered to the bottom of the test tube to record the initial temperature before any reaction occurs.
5. Exactly 1 mL of distilled water will be dispensed into the pulverized mixture of zinc (s) and iodine (s).
6. The greatest difference in temperature from the starting temperature (of the surroundings) must be recorded so the overall temperature change can be calculated.