Y9 Biggest Bully (Displacement Reactions) Investigation
Name: _____________________ Partner: ________________ Form: ______ Date: __________
In this investigation, you will be determining the order of reactivity of each metal used based on whether or not a chemical reaction has happened .
How do you know that a chemical reaction has happened? There are signs such as change in color, fizzing (which signifies the production of gas), change in temperature, precipitate, light, sound, and new product formed.
Metals that place high in the order of reactivity react faster and more vigorously than other metals.
The order of reactivity is used to determine the products of single displacement reactions (which we will discuss later on).
Look back to the alkali metals demonstration. We tested the reaction of Li, Na and K in water.
Arrange the 3 metals in order of reactivity from most reactive to least reactive.
Metal Reason
Most reactive
Least reactive
Metals Solutions Apparatus
Copper (Cu)
Iron (Fe)
Lead (Pb)
Magnesium (Mg)
Zinc (Zn) copper sulfate (CuSO
4
) iron sulfate (FeSO
4
) lead nitrate (Pb(NO
3
)
2
) magnesium sulfate (MgSO
4
) zinc sulfate (ZnSO
4
)
4 spotting tiles
1 white board marker
6 droppers tweezers small spatula

1.
Arrange and label the spotting tiles as follows:
Cu
CuSO
4
FeSO
4
Pb(NO
3
)
2
MgSO
4
Fe
Pb
Mg
Zn
ZnSO
4
2.
The metals used in this activity will be given in strips (1 pc.), turnings or shavings (2-3 pcs.) or filings (small spatula). Place the metal samples in the appropriate wells.
3.
Test each metal sample by carefully filling the appropriate well with each solution. Make sure the solutions do not overflow to the next well.
4.
Observe and complete the results table.
Put an “X” if no reaction happened and a “  ” if a reaction happened.
CuSO
4
FeSO
4
Pb(NO
3
)
2
MgSO
4
ZnSO
4
Total
Rxns
Cu X
Fe X
Pb X
Mg X
Zn X

Based on your results, put the metals in order of reactivity from MOST REACTIVE to LEAST
REACTIVE. State your reason.
Order of
Reactivity
Metal Reason most reactive least reactive
Each of the reactions that occurred (happened) is a single displacement reaction. A single displacement reaction is a reaction where the more reactive metal displaces
(“kicks out” and takes the place) of a less reactive metal.
Complete chemical equation using chemical symbols based on your results.
Mg + CuSO
4

______________ + _________________
Pb + ZnSO
4
 ______________ + _________________
Fe + Pb(NO
3
)
2
 ______________ + _________________
Cu + FeSO
4

______________ + _________________
Zn + MgSO
4
 ______________ + _________________

You will be making a 60-second video of a chemical reaction.
The project can either be a:
1.
Slow motion video of a fast chemical reaction; or
2.
Time lapse video of a slow chemical reaction.
You will be provided with:

Lab equipment needed to conduct the reaction
You will need to provide:

Video equipment to film the reaction
Your video must be edited to show the entire chemical reaction occurring over a period of 60 seconds.
You will work in pairs.
Possible Chemical Reactions include:

Magnesium or Calcium and Hydrochloric Acid

Copper and Silver Nitrate (Displacement)

Iron and Copper Sulfate (Displacement)
You will be assessed on Planning Investigations, Identifying Risks and Ability to write, balance and identify chemical reactions . Remember you must complete ALL of a given grade before being eligible for the next higher grade.
WHAT TO SUBMIT:

A printed, detailed procedure (group, Planning Investigations and Identifying Risks )

A digital copy of your 60 second video no more than 25 MB in size ((group, Planning
Investigations )

Additional evidence for the grade you wish to achieve AND those below it ( Ability to write, balance and identify chemical reactions)
The video file should be named uploaded to youtube and the link emailed to the teacher.
The title of the video file should be “Science,” AND include the names of everyone who worked on it.
If you only submit group work, your highest grade possible is a C.
To get a mark of B or higher, you must submit additional evidence of knowledge.
In preparation for this, you may take photos or videos of this experiment. When the time comes, you may choose to redo a certain chemical reaction for your project.