Practical: Investigate Metals Reacting with Acids (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry: Double Science)

Aim:

To investigate the reactions between dilute hydrochloric and sulfuric acids with the metals magnesium, iron and zinc

Diagram:

Investigating the reactions of dilute acids with metals

Method:

• Wear some safety glasses before handling acids
• Using a small measuring cylinder, add 5 cm³ of dilute hydrochloric acid to each of three test tubes
• Add about 1 cm length of magnesium ribbon to the first tube, observe and note down what you see
• Use a lighted splint to test for any gases given off
• To the second test tube add a few pieces of iron filings and to the third some zinc turnings
• Observe what happens, test for any gases and note down your observations
• Repeat the experiment with dilute sulfuric acid

Results:

Metals with Acids Observations Table

Equations for the Reactions

Conclusions:

• The metals can be ranked in reactivity order Mg > Zn > Fe
• The three metals react in the same with both acids
• Hydrogen and a metal salt solution is produced