Single Replacement Reactions Lab

U n i t 3 : C h e m i c a l R e a c t i o n s

Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to determine which metals are most reactive and to create an order from most reactive to least reactive. Part I: Reactions with Aqueous Solutions Materials: Metals: Copper Lead Zinc Magnesium Silver Calcium

Solutions: Copper (II) sulfate Silver nitrate Lead (II) nitrate Zinc sulfate Magnesium nitrate

Procedures 1. Using a well plate and the chemical given, determine which reactions will occur between the metals and the solutions. 2. Add to each of the wells a small piece of the appropriate metal which has first been cleaned with sand paper. Note: Your teacher will provide the calcium when you are ready for it. 3. Create a data table to record your observations of before and after reactions. 4. Observe and record any evidence of a replacement reaction (i.e. a thin coating appears on the surface of the metal) occurring each of the test tubes. If no change is visible within five minutes, record this as no reaction Mg (s) + Cu(NO3)2 (aq) Mg(NO3)2 (aq) + Cu (s) A reaction occurred because Magnesium is more reactive than Copper. Since it is more reactive, when it "comes across" Cu(NO3)2 (aq), it gives its electrons to nitrate and reacts with it. Part II: Reactions with Acids Materials: Metals:

Solution:

Copper Magnesium Zinc Silver Lead Calcium

Hydrochloric acid

Procedures: 1. Determine where H+ should be placed on an activity series by comparing the relative amount of bubbling when added to metals. 2. Create a data table and record your results. Ag (s) + HCl (aq) NR A reaction did not occur because Silver is below hydrogen in the reactivity series. Therefore no reaction occurred. Part III: Demonstration Your teacher will demonstrate Calcium metal in acid. Write down your observations Discussion Questions 1. Write net ionic equations for all the reactions that occurred (highlighting the ones that were supposed to occur that you may not have observed) Mg (s) + Cu(NO3)2 (aq) Mg(NO3)2 (aq) + Cu (s) Net ionic equation: Mg (s) + Cu2+ (aq) Mg2+ (aq) + Cu (s) 2. For each of the reactions, determine which substances has been oxidized and which one has been reduced as well as which is the oxidizing agent and which is the reducing agent. Red: Cu2+ (aq) Oxd: Mg (s) 3. A metal was found in the lab that was missing its labeling tape. In order to determine the identity of the metal several reactions were performed. When the metal was placed in hydrochloric acid, it bubbled. No reaction was noticed when placed in a solution of calcium nitrate. A reaction was observed when placed in a solution of zinc chloride. What could the metal possibly be? What further test could you run to determine the identity of the metal? The metal could be Al, Mg, Na, Ca. To test these metals, you could try testing them in Al(NO3)3, Mg(NO3)2, NaNO3, Ca(NO3)2. By doing that, you can eliminate the metals and find out which one it is. Conclusion: A statement about the activity series you discovered. The more reactive the element, the more reactions it goes through with aqueous solutions.