Class 10

Chemistry

Exp-3

Aim :

Observing the action of Zn, Fe, Cu and Al metals on the following salt solutions:

i) ZnSO4(aq)

ii) FeSO4(aq)

iii) CuSO4(aq)

iv) Al2 (SO4)3(aq)

Arranging Zn, Fe, Cu and Al (metals) in the decreasing order of reactivity based on the above result.

Material and chemical Required

Aluminium foil ,Zinc granules,Copper turnings,Iron filings,Copper sulphate solution,Aluminium sulphate

solution,Zinc sulphate solution, Test tubes and Test tube stand.

Theory:
Different metals have different reactivities with chemical reagents. The metals that form positive ions by losing
electrons more readily. A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from salt solution. Such reactions
are called displacement reactions. Consider an example, if a small amount of zinc is dipped in copper sulphate
solution, zinc is displaced from copper sulphate. The blue colour of copper sulphate fades and colourless zinc
sulphate solution is obtained. Therefore, zinc is more reactive than copper.

Procedure:

 Select four test tubes and label them as zinc sulphate, copper sulphate, aluminium sulphate and ferrous
sulphate.
 Add solution of ZnSO4, CuSO4, Al2(SO4)3 and FeSO4 in the labeled test tube respectively.
 Take a strip of cleaned zinc metal and cut it into small pieces of suitable size.
 Add two pieces into each beaker containing CuSO4, Al2(SO4)3 and FeSO4.
 After sometime, note the change in colour of solutions, appearance of metal surface or any other
change.
 Repeat the similar procedure by adding-
 Copper strips to ZnSO4, Al2(SO4)3 and FeSO4 solutions.
 Aluminium strips to ZnSO4, CuSO4, and FeSO4 solutions.
 Iron strips to ZnSO4, CuSO4 and Al2(SO4)3 solutions.

Observations:
Conclusions:

The reactivity of given metals in decreasing order is as given below:

Precautions:

1. Always clean the metallic strips before use with a sand paper.
2. Label the test tubes properly and put them in sequences.