The investigation shown in Fig. 14.2.7 was set up and monitored over a period of time.
Explain why: 1. The mass of the steel wool increased. 2. Water moved up the boiling tube.
z Reactivity Series of Metals
As we have seen, some metals are very unreactive (they do not take part in chemical reactions easily) and other metals are very reactive (they combine with other substances easily to make new substances).
Scientists have put the metals in order of their reactivity, from most reactive to the least reactive. This is called the reactivity series of metals.
Potassium Sodium Lithium Calcium
Magnesium Aluminium Zinc Iron Tin
Lead
Copper Mercury Silver
Gold Investigating the reactivity of metals
Using the reaction between water and the metals listed below and the reaction between the same metals and a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid, plan, design, carry out and write up an investigation to list these metals in order of reactivity (with the most reactive metal first and the least reactive metal last): magnesium, copper, calcium, zinc.
1. What variable will you change? What variables will stay the same? 2. How will you make sure this is a fair test? 3. Write a word equation for the reactions of each of these elements with water. 4. What gas is released when a metal and an acid react? 5. Write a word equation for the reactions of each of these elements with dilute hydrochloric acid.
243 Very unreactive Very reactive Reacts with water z Fig. 14.2.8
The reactivity series of metals
Reacts with dilute acids Reacts with oxygen Fig. 14.2.7 Steel wool Air
