IGCSEScienceEdexcelScience (Double Award) (Modular)Chemistry Unit 1Revision Notes2. Inorganic Chemistry: Part 1Reactivity seriesPractical: Investigate Metals Reacting with Acids

Practical: Investigate Metals Reacting with Acids (Edexcel IGCSE Science (Double Award) (Modular)): Revision Note

Exam code: 4XSD1

Stewart Hird

Written by: Stewart Hird

Reviewed by: Philippa Platt

Updated on

Edexcel Science (Double Award) (Modular): Chemistry Unit 1Edexcel Chemistry (Modular): Unit 1Edexcel Science (Double Award): ChemistryEdexcel Chemistry

Practical: Investigate Metals reacting with acids

Aim

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

Diagram

Mg, Fe and Zn reacting with acid

Investigating Acids with Metals Diagram, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Chemistry revision notes

Investigating the reactions of dilute acids with metals

Method

  1. Wear some safety glasses before handling acids

  2. Using a small measuring cylinder, add 5 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid to each of three test tubes

  3. Add about 1 cm length of magnesium ribbon to the first tube, observe and note down what you see

  4. Use a lighted splint to test for any gases given off

  5. To the second test tube add a few pieces of iron filings and to the third some zinc turnings

  6. Observe what happens, test for any gases and note down your observations

  7. Repeat the experiment with dilute sulfuric acid

Results

Metals with Acids Observations Table

Metal

With dilute hydrochloric acid 

With dilute sulfuric acid

Magnesium

Dissolves quickly, gets hot, gas given off which goes pop with a lighted splint, colourless solution left

Rapid bubbling, splint goes pop, metal dissolves

Iron

Very slow bubbling

Slow reaction, small bubbles seen

Zinc

Bubbles given off, metal slowly dissolves

Metal dissolves forming colourless solution, gas given off slowly

Table of acid-metal reactions

Metal

Sulfuric acid

Hydrochloric acid

 Magnesium 

 Mg (s) + H2SO4 (aq) → MgSO4 (aq) + H2 (g)

 Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

 Zinc

Zn (s) + H2SO4 (aq) → ZnSO4 (aq) + H2 (g) 

 Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) → ZnCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

 Iron

Fe (s) + H2SO4 (aq) → FeSO4 (aq) + H2 (g)

 Fe (s) + 2HCl (aq) → FeCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

Conclusion

  • 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

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Author
Reviewer
Stewart Hird

Author: Stewart Hird

Expertise: Chemistry Content Creator

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Topic Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.

Philippa Platt

Reviewer: Philippa Platt

Expertise: Chemistry Content Creator

Philippa has worked as a GCSE and A level chemistry teacher and tutor for over thirteen years. She studied chemistry and sport science at Loughborough University graduating in 2007 having also completed her PGCE in science. Throughout her time as a teacher she was incharge of a boarding house for five years and coached many teams in a variety of sports. When not producing resources with the chemistry team, Philippa enjoys being active outside with her young family and is a very keen gardener