Reactivity of Metals Research
Name:
Go to Google and type in reactivity of Metals and choose the following site from the list:
http://group.chem.iastate.edu/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/redox/home.html
1. What are you going to do in the exercises? __________________________________________
2. (click start) List the solutions below each beaker and click on each to write in what 2 ions appear in each
solution: (Some of them may not show in the beaker with the magnifying glass – it just depends on how
cooperative the simulation is being. If one or more don’t work – use the BALANCED formula of the compound to
determine what 2 ions are in there. You can have your answer checked for those if you are unsure!)
_____________
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*Also INDICATE THE COLOR of each solution!!! You could actually color them if you have the untensils!
*Why are they not showing the water molecules if this is an “aqueous” solution? _________________________
3. (Click Activity 1) Choose a metal and then click the button to test them with the solutions. Click again when it
says they are ready to remove. Record your observations on the chart, and then repeat the procedure with the
other solutions:
Metals
Mg
Cu
Zn
Ag
Magnesium nitrate
Zinc II nitrate
Copper II nitrate
Silver nitrate
*Which metal reacted with the MOST solutions? ____________ Which is the LEAST reactive? ________________
Now Click the MOLECULAR SCALE REACTIONS button. Then try the simulation with the combinations on the back
and record what you observe. BE SPECIFIC! What ions are present and what do they do when they contact each
other?
Quick tips: solution is abbreviated soln and reaction is abbreviated rxn! Save yourself writing time and use these!
Try this!
WHAT HAPPENS – Don’t forget to be specific!!! Give
details about what the ion charge is as well as what
exchange of e-s occur…
Now click on the “STEP by STEP button. Write
BOTH equations that show what chemical
reaction occurs – unless the button doesn’t
appear- in which case, you just say NO REACTION
WHAT HAPPENS – Don’t forget to be specific!!! Give
details about what the ion charge is as well as what
exchange of e-s occur…
Now click on the “STEP by STEP button. Write
BOTH equations that show what chemical
reaction occurs – unless the button doesn’t
appear- in which case, you just say NO REACTION
WHAT HAPPENS – Don’t forget to be specific!!! Give
details about what the ion charge is as well as what
exchange of e-s occur…
Now click on the “STEP by STEP button. Write
BOTH equations that show what chemical
reaction occurs – unless the button doesn’t
appear- in which case, you just say NO REACTION
WHAT HAPPENS – Don’t forget to be specific!!! Give
details about what the ion charge is as well as what
exchange of e-s occur…
Now click on the “STEP by STEP button. Write
BOTH equations that show what chemical
reaction occurs – unless the button doesn’t
appear- in which case, you just say NO REACTION
Mg in Mg soln
Mg in Cu soln
Mg in Zn soln
Mg in Ag soln
Try this!
Cu in Mg soln
Cu in Cu soln
Cu in Zn soln
Cu in Ag soln
Try this!
Zn in Mg soln
Zn in Cu soln
Zn in Zn soln
Zn in Ag soln
Try this!
Ag in Mg soln
Ag in Cu soln
Ag in Zn soln
Ag in Ag soln
Were you able to predict what you would write in the last column for silver EVERY time????________
Now experiment with Activities 2 and 3 and record the reactivity results for the additional metals:
Reactivity of Metals Research (continued)
Name:
Activity 2 – Fe Cu Zn Pb - If you are unsure if there has been no rxn, you may click on the molecular level button for a
closer look:
Metals
Fe
Cu
Zn
Pb
Iron II nitrate
Zinc II nitrate
Copper II nitrate
Lead II nitrate
*Which metal reacted with the MOST solutions? ____________ Which is the LEAST reactive? ________________
Activity 3 - Fe Pb Ni Sn
Metals
Fe
Pb
Ni
Sn
Iron II nitrate
lead II nitrate
nickel II nitrate
tin II nitrate
*Which metal reacted with the MOST solutions? ____________ Which is the LEAST reactive? ________________
Activity 4: REACTION with HCl: Click on each of the metals to drop in the acid. Be sure to wait until they are
“done” before you remove them. Record the observations you can observe with the naked eye and then check
things out on the molecular level to see if the electrons are being transferred. Remember these simplifications
represent a SINGLE REPLACEMENT reaction IF a reaction occurs….
Metal with
HCl
Observations with naked eye
Molecular level activity
Ag
Cu
Fe
Mg
Ni
Pb
Sn
Zn
Predict what
Au would do:
What is the product that provides the bubbles when the metal does react with HCl? ____________
Reaction or
NOT????
Now that you know what reacts and what isn’t likely to, predict the products
for the following reactions or say NO REACTION if there is not going to be a
replacement because you have a less active metal trying to replace a more
reactive one! To the right is the complete reactivity series, so now you can
plug in others that you have not played with before. Also use it to answer the
questions before you try the reactions:
A.
What group/family is the most active of all? ________________
B. Where on the table are the LEAST active metals?______________
C. List any metals that WILL NOT reactive if placed in HCl: ___________
D. What elements would “replace” Mg due to their high level of reactivity?
__________________________________________
Reactions: Remember write the products or no reaction if it will not take place.
1.
Sodium nitrate reacts with tin 
2. Calcium reacts with aluminum nitrate 
3. Potassium reacts with copper II sulfate 
4.
Silver nitrate reacts with sodium hydroxide 
5. Write JUST the half-reaction of the follow single replacement (remember from the simulation, this only
includes the positive ions and metals – no negative ions!
Calcium chlorate reacts with sodium 