Name(s):________________________________
Period: ________
Metals Reactivity Lab
Purpose: To investigate the properties of the metals and their reactivity.
Procedure:
1. Take a small scoop of Mg and add it to a beaker with 20 ml of water. After one minute test the
resulting solution with red litmus. Record your observations.
2. Repeat step # 1 with Ca.
3. Repeat step #1 with Al.
4. Take a small scoop of Mg in a beaker to 5 ml of 2M HCl. Record your observations.
5. Repeat step #4 with Ca.
6. Repeat step #4 with Al.
Observations: Include observations for all 6 reactions, including the results of the litmus tests
Li
Write the reactions in the boxes corresponding to their
relative position in the periodic table.
Na
Mg
K
Ca
Al
Discussion:
1. Which group is the most reactive? Least reactive?
2. Why was this group the most reactive?
3. Does reactivity increase or decrease down a group? Why?
4. Does reactivity increase or decrease across a period? Why?
5. How many valence electrons do the alkali metals have? Alkaline Earth?
6.
Compare the reactivity of the six elements to water and create a theory about the trend in the
periodic table for metals.
7. Why does your trend increase/decrease down a group or across a period? Be specific.
8. Does ionization energy effect reactivity? How would the 2 concepts overlap?