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Simon Han
Chemistry
3A
Single Replacement
Background
In a single-replacement reaction, atoms of an element replace the atoms of a
second element in a compound:
A + BC → AC + B
The reaction only takes place if the element being replaced, or displaced, is less
reactive than the yet uncombined element. The activity series for metals indicates
the relative activity, or reactivity, for certain metals:
Li, K, Ba, Ca, Na, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Ni, Sn, Pb, H, Cu, Hg, Ag, Au
Most ReactiveLeast Reactive
Decreasing Activity and Reactivity
Aim
To investigate the effect occurs while single replacement happens.
Problem
What chemical reactions will take place when acids are added to metals?
Hypothesis
If single replacement occurs, then reactions such as gas release, color changes, odor
change, insoluble substance created and change in heat energy will happen.
Reasoning
When an element replaces another element from a compound a single displacement
reaction has occurred, a more active element with replace a less active element
from its compound.
Variable
 Dependent: Type of Chemical reactions
 Independent: Type of Acids
Hydrochloric Acid, Nitric Acid, Sulfuric Acid
 Controlled: Group of Elements
Aluminum, Zinc, Copper, Magnesium
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Experimental Method
Firstly, the safety equipment was required to be used; gloves, goggles, and aprons.
Then the table was created to collect observation and evidence of the reaction. Each
metal were cut about ½ of an inch and was put into the 24 well micro plates. The
indirect method was when we cut the pieces of metal because we didn’t measure
the metal. The metal were the control variable because we have to know what it
looked before the experiment to get a conclusion. The formula is A + BC-> AC + B.
Safety:
We put on safety goggles and a lab apron in order to avoid acids splashing in to the
eyes or clothes. We watched out to avoid breakage when working with glassware.
Also we wore plastic disposable gloves when handling chemicals, as they may irritate
the skin or stain skin or clothing. We avoided touching or tasting any chemical unless
we were instructed to do so. After the experiment, we washed our hands with
warm water and soap or detergent.
Apparatus
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Procedure
WS- part II SINGLE REPLACEMENT REACTIONS
1. Some research were done on the single replacement reactions and got some
background knowledge.
2. Put on goggles, apron, and gloves for safety issues and in case of some
emergency.
3. Then, tables of the observations were made on excel on our computers.
4. Pictures were also taken throughout the lab.
5. The pictures taken were moved to the computers to be shared with the
group members.
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Data Collection
Hydrochloric+Al
Observations
Permanent change in color
Evidence
Changed to green.
Burnt, change color
A permanent color change is observed
and heat change.
Color change
A permanent color change is observed.
Bubbling the moment it is
touched. Burnt. Change colorblack
A permanent color change is observed.
No change
No change
Discolored, burnt, slightly warm
Color darkened
No change
No change
Discolored, formed bubbles
Bubble were created, color change
No change
No change
Bubbles surrounding, turned
black
Bubble were created, color change
Color lightened
Color had became lighter
Release heat, continuous bubbles,
water vapor, turned black on one
side, and white on another,
became harder
Bubbles were created
Hydrochloric+Zn
Hydrochloric+Cu
Hydrochloric+Mg
Nitric+Al
Nitric+Zn
Nitric+Cu
Nitric+Mg
Sulfuric+Al
Sulfuric+Zn
Sulfuric+Cu
Sulfuric+Mg
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Hydrochloric
Hydrochloric + Aluminum
Hydrochloric + Copper
Sulfuric
Hydrochloric + Magnesium
Nitric
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Data Processing
Analysis of result:
Chemical Reactions
Hydrochloric with Aluminum
Analysis
When these two substances react, there is a
permanent change in color. The color changes to
green.
Hydrochloric with Zinc
When HCL is added to Zinc, it burns and changes in
color; there is also heat change.
Hydrochloric with Copper
A permanent color change was observed when
these two substances were added together.
Hydrochloric with Magnesium Bubbles were formed when two substances were
touched. There was also a significant change in
color.
Nitric with Aluminum
There were no changes. Something that we didn’t
expect occurred.
Nitric with Copper
There were no changes occurred.
Nitric with Magnesium
When Nitric was added with copper, there were
bubbles created and color change.
Nitric with Zinc
The color was darkened and the substance was
heated. It was discolored burnt and went slightly
warm.
Sulfuric with Aluminum
There were no changes observed.
Sulfuric with Zinc
Bubbles were created and there were color change.
Sulfuric with Copper
When these two substances are added together, the
color lightens.
Sulfuric with Magnesium
There were releases of heat, continuous bubbles,
and water vapor, turned black on one side, and
white on another. It also became harder
From the result, we can see that all the substances had shown some chemical
reactions except Nitric with Aluminum, Nitric with Copper and Sulfuric with
Aluminum. However, the reactions might be invisible, which can’t be observed with
naked eyes.
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Evaluation
Conclusion:
The hypothesis was partially correct. There were some metals that did not show any
reactions.
My experimental design (method):
Generally the method seems to work well to get suitable results but part of it could
be improved to get even better result.
Limitation
Threw the chemicals away
after mixing down the
sink.
Improvement
Ask for further instruction
of disposal of chemical
wastes.
The aprons were torn.
Use new aprons to ensure
no chemicals are stained.
Experiment under the
same independent
variable was only
conducted three times.
Repeat the same
experiment 5~6 times.
Reliability:
Before starting the lab, we washed the 24-well Micro Plate to make sure that no
substances are mixed unnecessarily. Also we cleaned, wiped and sanded all the
metals before use. After every substance we mixed, we washed the plate with water
and dried it.
Result:
The result was also generally satisfying that can support my hypothesis. However
part of it seems to went wrong a little. When Nitric with Aluminum, Nitric with
Copper and Sulfuric with Aluminum were added, there were no significant changes.
One possible reason of this result is maybe because we don’t notice any changes
through our naked eyes.