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Practical

This document outlines an experimental activity to investigate the displacement reactions of metals and create a reactivity series for four metals: magnesium, zinc, iron, and copper. The method involves observing reactions with metal sulfate solutions and answering questions related to reactivity, oxidation, and reduction. Additionally, it includes tasks to write word and balanced symbol equations for the reactions observed.

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Menaal K
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4 views

Practical

This document outlines an experimental activity to investigate the displacement reactions of metals and create a reactivity series for four metals: magnesium, zinc, iron, and copper. The method involves observing reactions with metal sulfate solutions and answering questions related to reactivity, oxidation, and reduction. Additionally, it includes tasks to write word and balanced symbol equations for the reactions observed.

Uploaded by

Menaal K
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Predicting reactions

Aims
In this activity you will investigate the displacement reactions of metals. Using your
observations, you will then produce a reactivity series for four metals.

Setting the scene


Some metals are more reactive than others. When a strip of metal is added to a
solution containing another metal compound, the more reactive metal can displace
(take the place of) the less reactive metal from its compound.

Method
1 Put copper(II) sulfate solution into four of the wells in the spotting tile.
2 Place a strip of magnesium into the first well of liquid, zinc into the second, iron
into the third, and copper into the fourth. Leave for about a minute.
3 Note down any changes in the table below. If there is no change, write ‘no
change’.
4 Repeat these steps replacing the copper sulfate solution with each of the other
three solutions in turn.

Results

Magnesium Zinc Iron Copper


sulfate sulfate sulfate sulfate
MgSO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) FeSO4(aq) CuSO4(aq)
magnesium

zinc

iron

copper
Questions
1 Which metal reacted with the most metal sulfate solutions? This is the most
reactive metal.

(1 mark)

2 Which metal reacted with least metal sulfate solutions? This is the least reactive
metal.

(1 mark)

3 Put the metals in order from the most reactive to the least reactive. This is a
reactivity series. Explain why you put the metals in this order.

(2 marks)

4 Write word equations for each of the reactions seen.

(6 marks)

5 Write balanced symbol equations including state symbols for each reaction.

(6 marks)

6 Silver is less reactive than copper.


a Predict what you would observe when a sample of copper metal is added to
silver nitrate solution.

(2 marks)

b Write the word equation for this reaction

(1 mark)
7 When a sample of aluminium reacts with a solution of copper sulfate, the blue
solution gradually turns colourless and a brown solid appears.
a Explain these observation in terms of the reactivity series.

(3 marks)

b Write the word equation for this reaction.

(1 mark)

Stretch Task
1 Explain in terms of electrons what is meant by:
a Oxidation.

(1 mark)

b Reduction.

(1 mark)

2 When magnesium reacts with copper sulfate solution, the ionic equation is:
Mg(s)  Cu2+(aq) → Mg2+(aq)  Cu(s)
State and explain which species is oxidised and which is reduced.

(4 marks)

3 Write ionic equations (including state symbols) for the other reactions that
occurred in your experiment.

(5 marks)
4 Lead is between iron and copper in the reactivity series.
a Explain why a reaction occurs between magnesium and lead nitrate solution.

(1 mark)

b Write the word equation for this reaction.

(1 mark)

c Complete the symbol equation for this reaction and add state symbols.

______  Pb(NO3)2 → Mg(NO3)2  ______ (1 mark)


d Lead ions and magnesium ions both have a charge of 2. Predict the ionic
equation for this reaction.
(1 mark)

e State which species is oxidised and which is reduced. Explain your answer in
terms of electrons lost or gained.

(2 marks)

5 Silver is less reactive than copper.


a Predict what you would observe when copper is added to silver nitrate
solution (2 marks)
b Write the word equation for this reaction. (1 mark)
c Balance the symbol equation for this reaction and add state symbols

Cu  __AgNO3 → Cu(NO3)2  ___Ag (2 marks)


d Copper ions have a charge of 2 but silver has a charge of 1. Predict the
ionic equation for this reaction (2 marks)
e State which species is oxidised and which is reduced. Explain your answer in
terms of electrons lost or gained. (2 marks)
f Explain why silver does not react with iron sulfate. (1 mark)

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