Reactivity of Metals Lab
Physical Science – Frisby
Name______________________ date_______
A reaction in which one element takes the place of another element as part of a
compound, is called a single replacement reaction (p. 399). The general equation for a
single replacement reaction is:
A + BC  AC + B
Here is an example of a single replacement reaction: silver nitrate solution has a piece of
copper placed into it. The solution begins to turn blue and the copper seems to disappear.
Instead, a silvery-white material appears.
2 AgNO3 + Cu  Cu(NO3)2 + 2 Ag
This reaction is not reversible. Silver (Ag) is less reactive than copper (Cu) and cannot
replace copper in copper (II) nitrate:
Cu(NO3)2 + 2 Ag  no reaction
Metals can be listed in a series in which each metal will replace all the metals below it on
the list, but none of the metals above it. Such list is commonly called an activity series.
Copper (Cu) is above silver (Ag) in the activity series. The activity series for metals is
determined by experiments in which pairs of metals are compared for reactivity.
You will have to arrange copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) in the activity
series from most reactive to least reactive.
Purpose: Why are you doing this experiment?
Hypothesis: What is your best guess about what might occur when you run your
experiment?
Materials:
-
samples of Cu, Mg, Fe
dilute solutions of HCl, CuCl2, MgCl2, FeCl3
12-well spot plate
Procedure:
1. Make small labels for each of the wells that you will use on the spot plate. Each label
should list one of the metals being used and one of the compounds. There should be 9
labels.
Example: Cu + HCl
2. Place a piece of copper in each of four wells on the spot plate.
3. a) Add enough HCl to cover the copper in the first well. Label this well with the label
“Cu + HCl”.
b) Cover the copper in the 3rd well with MgCl2. Label the well.
c) Cover the copper in the 4th well with FeCl3. Label the well.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 using magnesium in clean wells on the spot plate.
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 using iron in clean wells on the spot plate.
Data Table, Analysis, and Conclusions:
1. Draw a large data table similar to the one shown. In the data table, record any signs
of chemical change that you observe in each of the wells. Possible changes could
include changes in color or state, or the production of bubbles.
Metals
HCl
Compounds
CuCl2 MgCl2
FeCl3
Cu
Mg
Fe
2. Which of the metals reacted with the most compounds?
3. Which reached with the fewest compounds?
4. Extra credit: write down equations for the chemical reactions you observed.
5. List the metals you tested from most reactive to least reactive.
6. Which of the metals you tested were able to replace the hydrogen in HCl?
7. Where would hydrogen, as in acid, be placed in the activity series you listed?
8. Test the same three metals for reactivity with water. Can any of these metals replace
hydrogen in water?
9. Extra credit: Is any metal capable of replacing hydrogen in water?