Reactivity of Metals - reaction with acid investigation

Determine the reactivity of a series of metals based on the change in temperature when reacted with dilute
hydrochloric acid.

Design a simple experiment to determine the reactivity of different metals based on their reactions with acid. The
metals that you should use are copper, magnesium, zinc, lead and iron and the acid should be dilute hydrochloric
acid.

Here are some example equations. Fill in the blanks that missing

General equation

Metal + Acid → Metal salt + Hydrogen

Word equation

Magnesium + Hydrochloric acid → Magnesium chloride + Hydrogen

Balanced symbol equation

Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2

Apparatus and materials list Diagram

(you may copy and paste a diagram for this experiment)
- Thermometer
- 10ml measuring cylinder
- Test tube
- Test tube rack
- HCl (0.2 mol dm-3)
- Cu, Zn, Mg, Pb, Fe (strip)
- Pipette
- Tweezer

How will you determine the reactivity?

(Think about how you will test the differences in the reactivity of the metals to be able to determine which one
is the most reactive and the order of reactivity)

We will measure the temperature for each reaction as it creates kinetic energy/heat.
 Variables Method
1. Measure out 10ml of 0.2 mol dm-3 HCl solution into
independent Dependent measuring cylinder, then pour it into the test tube
2. Measure 2cm strip of metal, then with the tweezer put it in
The independent We will be measuring the test tube
variable of this the reactivity of the 3. Proceed to then use a thermometer to measure the
experiment is the experiment temperature change.
changing of the 4. Measure the reaction for 60 seconds, in intervals of five
metals. seconds.
5. Write down the results, then repeat steps 1-4 for two more
trials
6. repeat steps 1-5 for all other metal reactions
Safety (add more rows if needed) How will you know what gas is produced?
Hazard Precaution (Add details on how you will test for the presence of hydrogen gas
Experimenters must as a product. If you want this could be in the form of an adapted
Lead is a poisonous take precautions method from the one above)
metal, and can infect when completing the
When there is a formation of bubbles, the
your blood, resulting experiment. This can
in lead poisoning. be done by wearing
gloves, lab coat,
As well as this HCl is a goggles etc.
corrosive acid and
greatly harms/burns Using diluted
an experimenter's concentrations as
hand. well as cleaning up
any spillages
immediately
Expected results

We expect Copper not to react as it is a non-reactive metal. Iron and lead would not be very reactive and
magnesium would yield the most reaction when added to the hydrochloric acid.

Add a results table and record your findings

The reactivity between HCl when the metal is changed

Copper Zinc Magnesium Lead Iron
Time Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial
(s) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 1 2 3 Trial 1 2 3 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 1 2 Trial 3
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60