8 Chemical reactions

> 8.1 Exothermic reactions

In this topic you will:

learn about chemical reactions that give out energy

plan and carry out an investigation.

Getting started Key words

Thisword equation shows the reaction between carbon and combustion

oxygen that takes place when carbon burns: dissipate
exothermic reaction

fuel
carbon + oxygen carbon dioxide
oxidation reaction
Answer these questions and then compare answers with a
preliminary work
partner. Be prepared to share your answers with the class.

Name a reactant.

Name a product.

How many atoms make up a particle of carbon dioxide?

How many of these atoms are carbon?

How do you know that burning releases energy
to the environment?

263
8 Chemical reactions

Burning
When something burns, a chemical reaction takes place. Burning
is a chemical reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen.
In a burning reaction, there are energy changes. The substance that
reacts with oxygen is called a fuel.

Fuels have a store of chemical energy. Charcoal, wood, coal,

natural gas and oil are examples of fuels.

When the fuel burns, the chemical energy is changed to thermal,

light and sound energy. The thermal, light and sound energy Burning requires oxygen, fuel and
dissipate (spread out) into the surroundings. heat (thermal energy)

Combustion is another term for burning.

Look back at the equation in Getting started. You can see that, during
the reaction, the atoms of carbon and oxygen join together in new ways.
When this happens, chemical energy is changed to thermal energy and
the temperature rises.

A chemical reaction in which thermal energy is given out is called an

exothermic reaction.

Questions
What is needed for combustion to take place?

What is an exothermic reaction?

How can you tell that burning is an exothermic reaction?
 8.1 Exothermic reactions

Burning other substances

Hydrogen can be used as a fuel in a model rocket. The combustion
of hydrogen is an exothermic reaction. The hydrogen and the oxygen
combine to form water.

hydrogen oxygen water

When the atoms of hydrogen and oxygen rearrange themselves and

combine together, energy is given out. This chemical energy is changed
into kinetic, thermal, sound and light energy.

bent paperclips string

stopper

to spark generator plastic bottle mixture of

hydrogen and air

Burning hydrogen can propel a plastic bottle like a rocket

filled with hydrogen and

In this experiment, a large plastic soda bottle
air is The stopper in the bottle has
attached to a string across the room.
wires that allow a spark to be generated. The hot spark provides the
energy to start the reaction. The hydrogen and oxygen react together.

The reaction gives out a lot of energy and the stopper is pushed out.
This energy makes the bottle shoot (move very quickly) along the string.

265 >
8 Chemical reactions

The reactions of other substances burning in air are also exothermic

reactions. An example is burning magnesium, which produces magnesium
oxide.Energy is given out as heat and light as the magnesium and oxygen
atoms rearrange themselves.

magnesium oxygen + magnesium oxide

When a substance burns, it combines with oxygen and a new substance

calledan oxide is formed. Any reaction in which a substance combines

with oxygen is an oxidation reaction.
Burning magnesium ribbon

Other exothermic reactions

With water
This is the equation for the reaction between potassium and water.

ece
potassium + water potassium hydroxide + hydrogen

Water is made up of particles containing atoms of hydrogen and oxygen.

In the potassium and water reaction, the bonds between the atoms of
oxygen and hydrogen in the water break. The atoms rearrange to form
the products potassium hydroxide and hydrogen. Stored chemical energy
is changed to thermal energy, which dissipates into the environment.

With acid
Ifyou add magnesium to dilute hydrochloric acid, the test tube gets hot.
This reaction is an exothermic one.

magnesium hydrochloric acid magnesium chloride hydrogen

 8.1 Exothermic reactions

Measuring temperature rise during

a reaction
Sofia and Marcus each measured 10 cm3 of dilute
hydrochloric acid into a test tube and measured the
temperature. Then they each added an identical piece
of magnesium ribbon to their test tube of acid.
When the reaction stopped,
they each measured the
temperature again.

Measuring the rise in temperature when magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid

Sofia's results Marcus's results

Start temperature End temperature Start temperature End temperature

in oc in oc in oc in oc

18 42 21 45

Questions
4 What are the products when magnesium and hydrochloric acid react?
5 How did Sofia and Marcus know when the reaction had finished?
6 Marcus thought that more chemical energy had been changed to
thermal energy by his reaction because, in his experiment, the end
temperature was higher. Sofia thought that both reactions changed
the same quantity of chemical energy to thermal energy. Whose idea
is correct? Explain why?
7 Explain why it is a good idea to wear safety glasses whilst carrying
out this investigation.
8 Sofia and Marcus wondered how they could produce a higher
temperature change. Their ideas included adding more magnesium,
using a different metal and using a different acid.

Write each of these three ideas as a scientific question to be investigated.

267
8 Chemical reactions

Think like a scientist

Planning and carrying out an investigation into the reaction between acid
and magnesium
Method
1 Choose one of the scientific questions to be investigated from question 8
(or write one of your own) and write a plan for your investigation.

Before you write your plan, try out the reaction between magnesium
and an acid. In this preliminary work you should practise measuring the
temperature change.
Decide what equipment you will need and make a list.

You also need to find out how big a change in the variable (for example,
the length of the magnesium ribbon) is needed to make a change in the
temperature that you can measure.
When the reaction takes place and chemical energy is changed to thermal
energy, the thermal energy dissipates (spreads out) into the environment.
o Are you sure that you are measuring the temperature change accurately?
o What could you do to reduce this heat loss?

Decide how you will record and present your results.

Carry out a risk assessment.

2 Ask your teacher to check your plan.

3 Carry out your plan. You may find that you want to make changes to it once you
begin doing the investigation. If so, write down the changes that you have made
and explain why you made them.
Questions
1 What can you conclude from your results?
2 Compare your results with others from the class. Are your results in agreement
with others who carried out the same investigation?

3 How could you improve your investigation?

How can preliminary work help me to improve my investigation?

Summary checklist

C] I can describe what happens in an exothermic reaction.

[J I can plan an investigation.
[Z] I can carry out an investigation safely.

268 >
 8.2 Endothermic reactions

> 8.2 Endothermic reactions

In this topic you will:

learn about chemical reactions that absorb energy

distinguish between exothermic and endothermic reactions
and processes
learn about the use of exothermic and endothermic reactions
and processes.

Getting started Key words

When you make any scientific measurements, you are told that endothermic
you need to be accurate and precise. process
What do you think this means? Discuss it with your partner. endothermic
reaction

If

If

to
0006'
you are being accurate, where should your arrows
the target?

you are being precise, should

one another or spread out?
all your arrows be near
hit

Which archer, A1 B or C, has been precise but not accurate?

Which archer, A, B or C, has been neither precise
nor accurate?

Which archer, A, B or C, has been both accurate

and precise?
Share your answers and ideas with the class.

269
8 Chemical reactions

Endothermic reactions
Some chemical reactions absorb thermal energy from their surroundings
and change it to chemical energy stored in the chemical bonds. These are
called endothermic reactions. When an endothermic reaction takes place,
the temperature at the end of the reaction is lower than that at the start
of the reaction.

Think like a scientist

Carrying out an endothermic reaction

You will need:

• test tube • test tube rack • stirring rod • thermometer e spatula

• lemon juice or citric acid • sodium hydrogencarbonate • safety glasses

Method
1 Place some citric acid or lemon juice in a test tube so that it is about
half full.

2 Measure and record the temperature.

3 Add three spatulas of sodium hydrogencarbonate and stir.

Do not use the thermometer to do this.

4 Measure and record the temperature.
Questions
1 What was the difference between the temperature at the start and the
end of the experiment?
2 Is thermal energy given out to the surroundings or taken in from the
surroundings during this reaction?

Looking at endothermic reactions

This is the word equation for the reaction between sodium hydrogencarbonate
and citric acid:

sodium hydrogencarbonate + citric acid sodium citrate + water + carbon dioxide

During this reaction, thermal energy is absorbed from the surroundings
and stored in the form of chemical bonds. So, if this reaction was carried
out in a test tube, the surroundings will have a lower temperature and
the test tube will feel cooler.

270 >
 8.2 Endothermic reactions

If you eat sherbet sweets, this reaction takes place in your mouth. The
sherbet is a mixture of dry citric acid and sodium hydrogencarbonate.
When you eat the sweets, these substances dissolve in your saliva, and
react together. This gives a cool, 'fizzy' feeling in your mouth (the
surroundings), which is refreshing.

Questions
1 Look at the word equation again:
sodium hydrogencarbonate + citric acid —+ sodium citrate + water + carbon dioxide

a What are the reactants?

b Which are the products?

2 What is an endothermic reaction?

3 Explain why eating sherbet sweets makes your mouth
feel cooler.

4 You may also get a 'fizzy' feeling in your mouth when you
eat sherbet. Why is this?

Endothermic processes
If you place about 25 cm3 of water in a beaker and then stir in three
spatulas of potassium chloride, you will find that the beaker gets
cold. In this case, no chemical reaction has taken place. No new potassium
products are formed. The potassium chloride has just dissolved. chloride

A solution of potassium chloride has been formed. Potassium

thermometer
chloride is the solute and water is the solvent.

When potassium chloride dissolves in water, thermal energy glass rod

is absorbed from the surroundings. This is why the beaker

water
feels cold. This is an endothermic process

271 >
 8 Chemical reactions

Ice melting is another endothermic process. Thermal energy

isabsorbed from the surroundings as the solid ice changes
to liquid water. Think about what happens to the particles energy
taken in
when water changes state. The particles in the ice are lined
up in rows and can only vibrate about fixed positions — they
cannot move around inside the ice. The forces between the
particles are strong. ice water

As the particles absorb thermal energy from the surroundings, they

vibrate more and more. The ice begins to melt. When the particles have
enough energy, they can move and overcome the forces holding them in
place. The particles can now slide past one another. The water is now in
a liquid state.

Questions
5 Why is ice melting called an endothermic process and not an
endothermic reaction?
6 Suggest a change of state, other than ice melting, that is an
endothermic process.
7
When you have been swimming and you come out of the pool, you
may feel cold. Use your understanding of endothermic processes to
explain why.
8 Suggest whether water freezing is an endothermic or exothermic
process. Can you explain your suggestion?

Endothermic or exothermic?
In exothermic reactions and processes, thermal energy is given out.
In endothermic reactions and processes, thermal energy is taken in.

heat given out

heat taken in

boiling water
ice melting 0
00

cooling

Exothermic process
Endothermic process

272 >
 8.2 Endothermic reactions

Think like a scientist

Endothermic or exothermic?
In this series of experiments, you will try some of these reactions and processes and

decide if the reaction or process gives out energy to the surroundings or absorbs
energy from the surroundings.

You will need:

• beakers or polystyrene cups or other insulated containers • stirring rod

• thermometer (do not use the thermometer for stirring the solutions)

e chemicals as listed below • safety glasses

Here are some reactions and processes you could try.

Sodium hydroxide and dilute hydrochloric acid.

Potassium chloride and water.

Melting ice cubes. thermometer

Copper sulfate solution and magnesium powder.

Ammonium nitrate and water.
Boiling water until steam comes off.

Steam from a kettle directed at a cold surface.

polystyrene cup
Dilute hydrochloric acid and magnesium ribbon. containing liquid

Sodium hydrogencarbonate and citric acid.

Method
Carry out some or all of the reactions or processes suggested.
Make sure you do a risk assessment for each test that you do.
You will need to adapt this method for processes that do not
involve using two substances.
1 Construct a results table.
2 Place one of the solutions in the beaker or polystyrene cup.
3 Measure and record the temperature.
4 Add the other substance. Stir with the stirring rod.

5 Allow the substances to react, dissolve or change.

6 Measure and record the temperature.
7 Clean the thermometer and the stirring rod before using them for the next test.

8 For each test you did, say if it is endothermic or exothermic and if it is a reaction
or process.

273 >
 8 Chemical reactions

Continued

Questions
1
What advantage is there if a polystyrene cup is used rather than a glass beaker?
2 Which reaction gave out the most energy to the surroundings?
3
Which reaction absorbed the most energy from the surroundings?
4 Did you have measuring the temperature with any of these reactions
difficulty
or processes? Explain how you
could decide if the reaction or process was
exothermic or endothermic if you could not measure the temperature.

Using exothermic reactions

Some exothermic reactions are used to produce self-heating
Ring pull
cans of food or drink. For example, a can of self-heating
coffee contains a small compartment at the bottom. The
Coffee
compartment is in two parts, separated by foil: one contains Insulation
calcium oxide, the other contains water. Pressing a button
breaks the foil seal, and the two parts are mixed.
Calcium
When the water and calcium oxide are mixed together oxcide Foil

separator
they react, and heat (thermal energy) is given off. The
Water
thermal energy is transferred to the coffee.

calcium oxide + water calcium hydroxide Button

These cans can be useful if you are in a remote area,

A self-heating can
in an emergency when there is no power, or when you
are camping.

The cans are expensive to produce because the compartments must be

sealed from one another and from the food, so that it does not become
contaminated. There have also been problems with the food not being
heated evenly.

274 >
 8.2 Endothermic reactions

Using endothermic reactions

People sometimes use ice packs when they injure
themselves. The ice packs are stored in a fridge or freezer
until they are needed. When the ice pack is placed on
the injured area, heat is transferred to the ice pack and

the ice melts. (This an endothermic process, not an

is

endothermic reaction as no new substances are formed.)

The injured area is cooled which prevents it from
swelling. After it has been used, the ice pack can go back
into the freezer to be used again. A chemical ice pack being used to treat an injury

Some 'ice' packs are made from substances that undergo

an endothermic process when they mix together.

These packs can be used even when you don't have fridge or freezer.
The pack has two compartments inside, each with a different substance.
These are usually ammonium nitrate and water. When you push on the
pack and break the compartment containing ammonium nitrate, the
water mixes with it and the ammonium nitrate begins to dissolve.
This is an endothermic process, so the temperature drops.

Questions
9 Explain why self-heating cans are very expensive.

10 Explain why a self-heating food container can only be used once.

11 Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of each of the two

types of icepack described above.

What exothermic and endothermic reactions do use

I in my
everyday life?

Summary checklist

I can list some chemical reactions that are endothermic.

I can explain the difference between an endothermic reaction and
an endothermic process.

Cl Ican carry out an investigation to distinguish between exothermic

and endothermic reactions and processes.
can describe some uses of exothermic and endothermic reactions
I

and processes.

275 >
 8 Chemical reactions

> 8.3 Reactions of metals

with oxygen
In this topic you will:

describe the reactions of some metals with oxygen

carry out an investigation

' compare how reactive some metals are with oxygen.

Getting started
Key words
In one minute, write down all the properties of metals that you collapses
can remember. Compare your list with a partner and add any inert
new ones to your list. Then compare your new list with another
prevent
pair and add any more properties. Be prepared to share your
list with the class. reactive
rusts

J.æunc.&

"*iii

276
 8.3 Reactions of metals with oxygen

Metals and oxygen

In Stage 7 you learned about the properties of metals. Now you are
going to investigate how different metals react with oxygen.

Think like a scientist

Heating metals in air

In this activity, you will heat several different metals in air. Air contains oxygen,
and some metals will react with it.

Read though the instructions and decide on the safety precautions you will need
to take. Discuss these in your group and then with the class before you carry out
your investigation.

You will need:

• safety glasses • Bunsen burner • heatproof mat • tongs

• small pieces of metal such as magnesium, zinc, iron and copper

Method
1 Take a small piece of one of the metals.
2 Place it in the tongs and heat it in a Bunsen flame.
3 Record your observations in a table. Explain what
happened.
4 Repeat steps 1—3 for each of the other metals.

Questions
1 Which was the most reactive metal that you used? What evidence do you
have for this?
2 What safety precautions did you take?

3 Suggest why you were not given metals such as sodium or potassium to heat.
4 Suggest why you were not given metals such as gold or silver to heat.

277
8 Chemical reactions

Looking at the reactions of metals

with oxygen
Many metals react with oxygen if they get hot enough. When you look
carefully at the reactions of metals with oxygen, it is possible to identify
which metals are more For example, magnesium is more
reactive.
reactive than iron becausemagnesium reacts more quickly than iron.
This reaction between metals and oxygen is an oxidation reaction.

Some metals react very quickly with oxygen without even being heated.
When pieces of sodium, potassium or calcium are taken from their
containers, they appear dull. When the pieces are cut, the surface is
shiny. The shiny surface soon becomes dull because the metal reacts with
the oxygen in the air. The surface becomes covered with a new substance
the oxide of the metal. These metals are so reactive that they have to
be stored under oil to prevent them reacting with the water vapour in
the air. The layer of metal oxide on the surface prevents any more of the
metal from reacting with the air or water vapour.

A scientist cuts a piece of sodium metal with a scalpel

The general word equation for this reaction is:

metal + oxygen metal oxide

Some metals, such as gold, do not react with oxygen. They are generally
unreactive. They are described as inert.

Silver reacts slowly with the air. If a silver object is not cleaned it goes
black over time, as silver oxide is formed.

278 >
 8.3 Reactions of metals with oxygen

Questions
1 Which property of sodium and potassium is not typical of a metal?

2 Why is the scientist in the photograph wearing gloves to cut the

piece of sodium?

3 Write a word equation for the reaction between sodium and oxygen.

The reaction between iron and oxygen

When iron is left in damp air it rusts. The iron reacts with oxygen to
form an orange-brown solid, called iron oxide. This is known as rust.

iron + oxygen iron oxide

This is not a very useful reaction because it means that the iron changes
and no longer has the same properties. A strong iron girder can become
rusted and fall apart. This could mean that a building collapses

The reaction between iron and oxygen only takes place when both water
and oxygen are present. The water is not part of the equation, but it is
needed for the reaction to happen. The reaction takes a long time to
happen — iron is not very reactive with oxygen.

This new, shiny spanner, nuts, bolts and washers are made The iron sheets in this old barn have rusted
mostly of iron

279 >
8 Chemical reactions

What causes iron to rust?

A new iron nail is placed in each of four test tubes, as in the diagram.

After a few weeks

the experiment
looks like this.

tube 1 tube 2 tube 3 tube 4 tube 1 tube 2 tube 3 tube 4

Test tube I contains nothing, apart from the nail, and is open to the air.

Test tube 2 contains water and the nail is half in the water. The tube is

open to the air. So, this tube has air and water.
Test tube 3 has calcium chloride in the bottom. The calcium chloride
absorbs water so the air inside the tube is dry. The tube is stoppered.
Test tube 4 has water that has been boiled to remove as much dissolved
gas as possible. On top of the boiled water is a layer of oil. This stops
any air entering the water. The tube is stoppered.

Tube number Contains Result

1 moist air nail is rusted

2 water and air nail is very rusty

3 dry air no rust

4 boiled water covered with oil, no air small amount of rust

Questions
4 What conditions are needed to prevent iron from rusting?
5 Which test tube and which conditions caused the iron to rust
most quickly?
6 Why is the same type of nail used in all test tubes?
7 How is the air in test tube 3 dried?
8 How is the air in test tube 4 kept out of contact with the nail?

280 >
 8.3 Reactions of metals with oxygen

How can iron be protected?

There are ways that iron can be protected so that it does not rust.

Warning
24 Hour CCW
surveillancein

operation

Iron can be painted; this stops the oxygen in the air Iron can be galvanised; this means covering the iron
reaching the iron with a layer of zinc which prevents the oxygen reaching
the iron

Why do we need to reduce the rusting of iron?

Summary checklist

I can describe the reactions of some metals with oxygen.

I can carry out an investigation safely.

I can compare how reactive some metals are with oxygen.

281
8 Chemical reactions

> 8.4 Reactions of metals

with water

In this topic you will:

describe the reactions of some metals with water

carry out an investigation

compare how reactive some metals are with water.

Getting started Key words

Think back to the reactions of metals with oxygen that you reactivity
studied in Topic 8.3. Write down the name of the most reactive sandpaper
metal you learnt about and try to make a list of the other metals
inorder of how reactive they are. Compare your list with a
partner and make one list to share with the class.

282
 8.4 Reactions of metals with water

Metals and water

In Topic 8.3 you learned about the reactions of metals with oxygen.
Now you are going to investigate how different metals react with water.

Think like a scientist

Reactions of metals with water

It can be difficult to see how some metals react with water. This is because they may

be covered in a surface layer of metal oxide if they have reacted with the oxygen in
the air. In the investigations, you may need to use sandpaper to clean the surface
of the metals so that the metal can come in direct contact with the water.

You will need:

• test tubes • test tube rack • sandpaper • forceps

• small pieces of metals such as magnesium, zinc, iron and copper

Method
1 Take a small piece of one of the metals you have been given.
Use sandpaper to clean the surface of the metal.
2 Place the metal into a test tube of water.

3 Record your observations in a table and explain what

happened. You may need to leave the metal to react
for some time. If nothing happens, you could try
testing the metal again, this time using hot water.

4 Repeat steps 1—3 for each of the other metals you

have been given.

Questions
1 Which was the most reactive of the metals you were given?
What evidence do you have for this?
2 Use the results of your experiment to arrange the metals in order of
their reactivity, starting with the most reactive.

3 Suggest why some metals will react with hot water but not with cold water.

283 >
 8 Chemical reactions

Reactions of sodium and

potassium with water
Some metals are too reactive for you to test in water. Sodium and
potassium react very vigorously. They have to be stored under oil
to prevent them from reacting with the water vapour in the air.
Sodium reacts vigorously with water
In these two reactions, the metal reacted with water to produce
hydrogen and the metal hydroxide.

metal + water metal hydroxide + hydrogen

Questions
1
Write the word equation for the reaction between sodium
and water.

2 What safety precautions must be taken when these reactions

take place?

3 Explain why these metals are stored under oil.

When potassium reacts with water, so
much thermal energy is generated that
the hydrogen produced catches fire

Reactions of other metals

with water
Some other metals react less vigorously with water — for example, bubbles of gas
calcium and magnesium. In the experiment shown in the diagram,
a piece of calcium has been placed at the bottom of a beaker and
covered with water. A filter funnel has been placed upside down
over the metal. The gas given off is collected in a test tube by the
displacement of water. water

Questions
4 What is the gas that is given off? How would you test for it? metal (calcium)

5 How could you tell if calcium or magnesium is more reactive?

6 What factors should you take into account to
make this a fair test?
7 Write the word equation for the reaction
between calcium and water.

284 >
 8.4 Reactions of metals with water

Some of the metals that do not react with water may react with steam.
Even magnesium will react more rapidly with steam than with water.

In the reaction shown here, magnesium is heated.

hydrogen magnesium ceramic
From time to time, the heat is directed at the gas burning ribbon wool

ceramic wool. The ceramic wool has been soaked

in water, which when heated produces steam. In
this reaction the magnesium reacts with water,
which is in the form of a gas. Magnesium oxide
heat
and hydrogen are formed. The hydrogen gas that
is given off can be burnt.
Heating magnesium
The word equation for this reaction is:

magnesium + water (g) magnesium oxide + hydrogen

The (g) after water indicates it is water in the form of a gas, in this case

steam. Steam is formed by boiling water and is very hot, whereas water
vapour is made up of water particles in the air at lower temperatures.

Some metals, such as gold, do not react with water at all.

Questions
8 Explain, using particle theory, why the reaction between steam and
magnesium is more vigorous than between water and magnesium.
9 Name three metals that do not react with water.
10 If an element is said to be inert, what does it mean?

Summary checklist

I can describe the reactions of some metals with water.

C] I can carry out an investigation safely.

I can compare how reactive some metals are with water.

285 >
8 Chemical reactions

> 8.5 Reactions of metals

with dilute acids
In this topic you will:

describe the reactions of some metals with dilute acid

plan an investigation

' carry out an investigation safely

' compare how reactive some metals are with dilute acid.

Getting started Key words

You have 2 minutes to write down and complete as many of reagents

these word equations as you can. salt

oxygen + sodium
oxygen + magnesium
oxygen + iron

water + potassium
water + calcium

magnesium + steam
Check your partner's work. Be prepared to share your answers
with the class.
 8.5 Reactions of metals with dilute acids

A familiar reaction
You will probably remember the reaction of magnesium with dilute
hydrochloric acid. This is the word equation for this reaction:

magnesium + hydrochloric acid magnesium chloride + hydrogen

Magnesium chloride isan example of a salt. When a metal reacts with
an acid, the products are a salt and hydrogen.

The general equation for this reaction is:

metal + acid salt + hydrogen

Questions
1 Write the word equation for the reaction between magnesium and
sulfuric acid.

2 What is the salt produced in the reaction in question 1 ?

3 Describe what you would observe if this reaction took place in

a test tube.

4 Write the word equation for the reaction between zinc and nitric acid.

Think like a scientist

An investigation into the reaction of metals in acid

Sofiaand Marcus have been asked to investigate the reactivity of metals with acids.
They need to decide on which of the equipment and reagents they need.
100

90

80

Iiiiiilii( 70

Concentrated Dilute
50 Sulfuric Acid Sulfuric Acid

5:00 Concentrated Dilute

40
epo * 30
Hydrochloric
Acid
Hydrochloric
Acid

20

00.00 g 00

safety
screen

gloves

Metals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium,

calcium, zinc, copper and iron
in the form of blocks,
safety
face protector filings or powder
glasses

287
 8 Chemical reactions

Continued

Part 1: Planning the investigation

Plan the investigation for Sofia and Marcus. Choose which of the items in the diagrams
they need to use. Some of the items are not appropriate to use.

Discuss in your small group how you will answer these questions.
What will they change?

What will they keep the same?

How will they measure the reactivity and decide which is the most or least
reactive metal?

How will they keep safe?

• What equipment will they use?

Remember to include a results table and an idea of what they should be looking
for in order to identify which are the most reactive metals.

Write your plan and show it to your teacher.

Questions
1 Which of the metals shown should Sofia and Marcus not use? Explain why.
2 Explain which measuring cylinder they should use to measure out enough acid
to use in this investigation.

Part 2: Carrying out the investigation

Your task is to find the order of reactivity of the metals you are given. Remember to
work in a methodical way and keep an accurate record of your results.

Method
1 Follow the plan you have written, once you have
had it checked by your teacher.
2 Select the appropriate equipment.

Questions
3
ililiiif
Which metal was the most reactive in dilute acid?

4 Which metal was the least reactive in dilute acid?

288 >
 8.5 Reactions of metals with dilute acids

Activity 8.5.1

Reactivity order

On seperate sticky notes, write the name of each of the metals

you used when carrying out the investigation into the reaction
of metals in acid.

Stick these on to the table in the order of reactivity, with the

most reactive at the top. Use the information from the
investigation above.

Compare your order with other groups. Are they the same
or similar?

Use the class results to make an order you all agree on.
Does this order match the results from the investigations of the
reactions of metals with oxygen and water?

Now write sticky notes for the metals you could not use (sodium,
gold, silver, calcium and potassium) and fit those into your list.

When you are happy with your order,make a poster to show your
list and illustrate it with diagrams to show the various reactions
with oxygen, water and/or dilute acids.

Questions
1 Which was the most reactive of the metals you used?
2 How did you decide which of the metals in the list was the
least reactive?

How did the three investigations help me to decide in which

order to put the metals?

Summary checklist

C] I can describe the reactions of some metals with dilute acid.

I can plan an investigation.

I can carry out an investigation safely.

I can compare how reactive some metals are with dilute acid.

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8 Chemical reactions

Project: Working with chemicals safely

Background
Each day you make decisions about how to keep safe and minimise the risks that you
take. It might be when you cross a street, when you make a hot drink, head a football,
cook a meal or use a knife to cut vegetables. You probably don't even realise you are
doing it, but you are carrying out a risk assessment for most tasks.
In the laboratory there are a number of hazardous situations. There are rules about how
you should behave and what you should do to stay safe. In the picture above there
are lots of things happening that are unsafe. People should never behave like that in a

laboratory.

Your task
Work in a group of three or four. Start by looking carefully at the picture and identify as
many things that are unsafe as you can. Make a list, with reasons, to explain why each
thing is unsafe.

Next, you need to provide guidance to learners starting the secondary science course,
to help them keep safe. You could:
write a poem or a song

write a guide book

write and perform a short play

make a poster.

You should try to come up with some original way of getting the safety message across.

Your work will be shared with the whole class.

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 8 Chemical reactions

Check your progress

8.1 Match these words or phrases to the descriptions, a, b, c, d and
Each word or phrase may be used once, more than once or not at all.

burning decreases endothermic increases exothermic

evaporation melting ice magnesium ribbon placed in hydrochloric acid

sodium hydrogencarbonate added to citric acid

a An example of a chemical reaction where thermal energy is given out

to the surroundings. [1]

b An example of an endothermic reaction. [1]

c The temperature in an endothermic reaction.

d An example of an endothermic process. [1]

The type of reaction between calcium and water.

8.2 Burning is a chemical reaction where thermal energy is

given out to the surroundings. Marcus has four fuels to

thermometer
investigate to find out which gives out the most thermal
energy to the surroundings. He uses apparatus like this:

a Which variable will Marcus change?

b Name two variables Marcus must keep
the same. [2] water

c Explain what he must do in order to be

able to identify which fuel gave out the

most thermal energy to the surroundings. [2]

d Name one safety precaution he should take spirit burner

whilst carrying out this investigation. [1]
fuel in
8.3 Copy and complete the following word equations. spirit burner

carbon + ... carbon dioxide

b sodium hydroxide + ... sodium chloride + [2]

c + oxygen magnesium oxide [1]

d potassium + water + [2]

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8 Chemical reactions

Zara and Arun are carrying out an investigation into the heat given off
when they add pieces of calcium to water. They both use 10 cm3 water and
add pieces of calcium.

These are Zara's results.

Mass of calcium Start temperature Final temperature Temperature

added in g in oc in oc change in oc
19 20

19 21

19 22

19 23

These are Arun's results.

Mass of calcium Start temperature Final temperature Temperature

added in g in oc in oc change in oc
21 22

21 22

21 24
21 25

What trend is shown by both sets of results?

Predict what would happen if 5 g of calcium was added.

Complete the table for both of the student's results. [21

Construct a summary table to show the mean temperature change for

each mass of calcium used. (Your table does not need to show the
start and final temperatures).

Zara and Arun plot a graph of their results.

Which variable and unit should they put along the horizontal axis?

Which variable and unit should they put on the vertical axis?

Zara and Arun carried out a third set of experiments, using 20 cm3 water
instead of 10 cm3. Could they use these results to add to the first two sets,

to calculate the mean temperature change? Explain your answer. [2]

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