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Grades 9 and 10 Advanced About 20 min Version 1 Awaiting review Premium

Which metal is most reactive?

Some metals react quickly, others slowly, and some hardly at all. Putting metals in dilute acid shows this clearly: the faster the metal fizzes (giving off hydrogen), the more reactive it is. Listing metals from most to least reactive gives the reactivity series. A more reactive metal can also push a less reactive metal out of its salt solution. This is called a displacement reaction.

What you will learn

  • Compare the reactions of magnesium, zinc, iron and copper with dilute acid.
  • Arrange the metals in a reactivity series.
  • Predict and explain displacement reactions using the reactivity series.

Before you start

  • Know that acids react with metals to give hydrogen. Try "Testing the properties of acids and bases" first.

Materials

  • Magnesium ribbon, zinc granules, iron filings and copper turnings
  • Dilute hydrochloric acid
  • Copper sulfate solution and zinc sulfate solution

Equipment

  • 6 test tubes in a rack

Procedure

  1. Tubes A–D contain dilute hydrochloric acid. Add a different metal to each and compare the fizzing.
  2. Tube E contains blue copper sulfate solution. Add iron filings and wait.
  3. Tube F contains zinc sulfate solution. Add copper turnings and wait.
  4. Use your results to put the four metals in order of reactivity.

How this simulation is simplified

  • Reaction speeds are shown on a simple scale. Real rates depend on the size of the metal pieces and the acid strength.
  • Displacement is shortened to a few minutes.