Relative Reactivities of Metals Lab Data

Relative Reactivities of Metals Lab Data

July 16, 2013

Juliet, Rio, Nora

Dr. Forman

Metals before reactions

Zinc (Zn)	Luster, silver, metallic
Copper (Cu)	Bronze, luster, metallic
Magnesium (Mg)	Thin, silver, luster

Data Table                                               

Metals	Copper nitrate	Magnesium nitrate	Zinc nitrate	Silver nitrate
Zinc (Zn)	Metal turns black	No reaction	No reaction	Turns black, liquid darkens, particles come off of metal
Copper (Cu)	No reaction	No reaction	No reaction	Turns black, liquid darkens, particles come off of metal
Magnesium (Mg)	Metal turns dark green, solution turns green too	No reaction	No reaction	Turns black, liquid darkens, particles come off of metal

Questions

1. Zinc and magnesium reacted with the most solutions with copper/silver nitrate.

2. Copper reacted with the fewest solutions.

3. We would expect silver metal to react with copper nitrate because it is in the same group.

4. Most reactive to least reactive: Mg, Zn, Cu, Ag

5. Zinc is more reactive, dense, and acidic, therefore copper is a better choice for the outside of a penny.

6.

• a. Silver might be an even better choice than copper for the outside of a penny because it is the least reactive.
• b. It is not used as this because it is too expensive.

7.

• a. Silver
• b. Magnesium

8. No, because then there wouldn't be enough information.