CHEMICAL ACTIVITY
Introduction: The atoms of most chemical elements can either gain or lose
electrons during reactions. Elements whose atoms lose electrons during
reactions are classified as metals. Metals are found on the left side of the
periodic table of elements. The tendency of an element to react chemically
is called activity. The activity of a metal is a measure of how easily the
metal atom looses electrons.
Objective:
 You will observe chemical reactions between metals and solutions
containing ions of metals.
 You will compare the activities of different metals.
 You will rank the metals by their activities.
Materials:
Petri dishes
Aluminum nitrate solution -Al (NO3)3 aq
Copper (II) nitrate solution – Cu (NO3)2 aq
Zinc nitrate solution - Zn (NO3)2 aq
Magnesium nitrate solution – Mg (NO3)2 aq
Iron (II) nitrate solution - Fe (NO3)2 aq
Strips of aluminum Al, copper Cu, iron Fe, magnesium Mg, and zinc Zn
Warning: Many of these solutions are poisonous. Avoid inhaling any
vapors from the solutions. These solutions can cause stains. Avoid
contacting them with your skin or clothing.
Procedure:
1. Each group will receive one metal strip and the 5 solutions.
2. Place the metal strip into the petri dish.
3. Place one drop of each solution onto the strip of metal in the order
shown on Data table 1.
4. Using the iPad, make a video of your strip as you add the solutions.
5. Make observations and record data into data table.
6. When instructed, share your observations by projecting your results via
the iPad onto the smart board.
7. Write down the observations for all of the strips of metal onto Data
Table #1.
Note: Evidence of a chemical reaction would be;
1-bubbles 2- color change, or 3- deposits on the strip of metal
Solutions
Aluminum
Nitrate
Copper (II)
Nitrate
Iron (II)
Nitrate
Magnesium
Nitrate
Zinc
Nitrate
DATA TABLE # 1–OBSERVATIONS
METAL STRIPS ADDED
Aluminum
Copper
Iron
Magnesium
Zinc
Data table 2
Using the information in Data Table #1, count the number of reactions for
each metal. Record the value in the table below
Metal
Number of
reactions
Al
Cu
Fe
Mg
Zn
Conclusion Questions:
1. Why would iron be a poor choice of metal for coins?
2a) According to your results, rank the metals from most active to least
active.
b) Compare your results to an actual metal activity series.
c) Can you account for any discrepancies?
DATA TABLE # 1–OBSERVATIONS
Solutions
Aluminum
Nitrate
Copper (II)
Nitrate
Iron (II)
Nitrate
Magnesium
Nitrate
Zinc
Nitrate
METAL STRIPS ADDED
Aluminum
Copper
Iron
Magnesium
Zinc
GRID SHEET
Metal Strips
1
A
B
S
O
L
U
T
I
O
N
S
C
D
E
F
2
3
4
5
GRID SHEET
Metal Strips
1
A
B
S
O
L
U
T
I
O
N
S
C
D
E
F
2
3
4
5