action of steam on metal observation aim procedure material required conclusion
Answers
Answer:
In this article, we have discussed a step-by-step procedure to perform CBSE Class 10 Science Practicals experiment Reactivity Series. It will help you understand the reaction of metals such as zinc, aluminium, copper, and iron with aqueous salt solutions of aluminium sulphate, copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate, and zinc sulphate. Also, after performing the experiment Reactivity Series of Metals, you will be able to analyse the decreasing order their reactivity.
Aim:
Observing the action of zinc, iron, copper and aluminium metals for the following salt solutions.
Zinc sulphate (ZnSO4)
Copper sulphate (CuSO4)
Ferrous sulphate (FeSO4)
Aluminium sulphate (Al2(SO4)3)
Arranging the metals Zinc, Copper, Iron, and Aluminium in the decreasing order of reactivity based on the results obtained from the above.
Materials required:
Aluminium foil
Zinc granules
Copper turnings
Iron filings
Copper sulphate solution
Aluminium sulphate solution
Zinc sulphate solution
Four 50ml beakers
Test tube
Test tube stand
Theory:
What is reactivity series?
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.
Aluminium has the ability to displace zinc, iron, copper from their respective salt solutions and therefore is more reactive than them.
Reactions:
2Al(s) + 3ZnSO4(aq) –→ Al2(SO4)3 3Zn(s)
2Al(s) + 3FeSO4(aq) –→ Al2(SO4)3 3Fe(s)
2Al(s) + 3CuSO4(aq) –→ Al2(SO4)3 3Cu(s)
Zinc has the ability to displace iron, copper from their respective salt solutions and therefore is more reactive than them.
Reactions:
Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) –→ ZnSO4 (aq) + Cu(s)
Zn(s) + FeSO4(aq) –→ ZnSO4 (aq) + Fe(s)
Zn(s) + Al2(SO4)3(aq) –→ no reaction
Zn(s) + ZnSO4(aq) –→ no reaction
Iron has the ability to displace copper from its salt solution and therefore is more reactive when compared to Cu.
Reactions:
Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) –→ FeSO4 (aq) + Cu(s)
Fe(s) + FeSO4(aq) –→ no reaction
Fe(s) + Al2(SO4)3(aq) –→ no reaction
Fe(s) + ZnSO4(aq) –→ no reaction
No reaction occurs when any of the metals from zinc, iron, aluminium, and copper are placed in aqueous solution of Al2(SO4)3.
Therefore, from the above, we can conclude the reactivity of elements in the following order –
Aluminium is more reactive than zinc.
Zinc is more reactive than Fe.
Fe is more reactive than Cu.
Hence, Aluminium is the most reactive and Copper being the least reactive metal.
The below table gives you an understanding of the colours exhibited by the metals and their salts:
Compound name Formula Colour
Aluminium sulphate Al2(SO4)3 Colourless
Copper sulphate CuSO4 Blue
Zinc sulphate ZnSO4 Colourless
Ferrous sulphate FeSO4 Light green
Copper Cu Reddish brown
Aluminium Al White
Zinc Zn Silver white
Iron Fe Blackish grey
Result and Conclusion:
Metals Inference
Aluminium Aluminium displaces zinc, copper, and iron from their solutions. Aluminium is the most reactive metal.
Zinc Zinc displaces copper, and iron from their solutions. Zinc is more reactive than Cu and Fe metal.
Iron Iron displaces copper from its solution. Therefore, copper is less reactive than iron.
Copper Copper does not displace any metal therefore it is the least reactive.
The decreasing order of reactivity of metals is as follows:
Al
Zn
Fe
Cu
Precautions to be taken during the experiment:
Use cleanly washed and dried apparatus for the experiment.
Clean the metals before dipping them in the solution. You can clean it with sandpaper.
Use small quantities of aluminium sulphate, iron sulphate, copper sulphate and copper sulphate solutions for the experiment.
Handle the chemicals with care and do not allow them to come in contact with your skin.
Make sure you wash the test tubes after every observation.
Wash your hands thoroughly after the experiment as the salt solutions are poisonous.
Viva Voce:
1. Can you name two metals that are more reactive than iron?
Ans: Aluminium and zinc.
2. What happens when copper is added to iron (II) sulphate solution?
Ans: There is no reaction as copper is less reactive when compared to iron.
3. The colour of copper sulphate solution is ______.
Ans: Blue.
4. The colour of aluminium sulphate solution is ______.
Ans: Colourless.
5. The colour of iron sulphate solution is ______.
Ans: Green.
