Experiment # 6

Date 12/12/2022

Topic Redox

Aim To order the metals A, B, C and D in order of reducing ability.

App. &Mat Metals A, B, C and D, solutions ANO3, BNO3, CNO3 and DNO3 test tubes, test
tube rack, distilled water, petri dish, spatula

Procedure: Metals A, B, C and D along with the solutions of each metal nitrate were
obtained. A series of displacement reactions as outlined in the table below were performed to
determine the order of reactivity of the metals used. All observations were recorded in the table
below.

TEST OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1. Metals B, C and D Metal B had no reaction.
were each placed in Metal C experienced
5cm3 solution of ANO3 effervescence, spontaneous
sizzling, color became cloudy
bright orange red.
Metal D had no reaction.
Metal B experienced no
displacement reaction.
Metal D experienced no
displacement reaction.
Metal C experienced a
displacement reaction.

2. Metals A, C and D Metal A slowly dissolved and Metal A experienced a

were each placed in produced effervescence.
5cm3 solution of BNO3 Metal C produced rapid
effervescence and smoke,
orange flame, solid formed at
the bottom and test tube
became hot so the reaction
was exothermic.
Metal D had a slow reaction
with bubbles forming on the
metal.
3. Metals A, B and D Metal A slowly dissolved and
were each placed in small amount of effervescence
5cm3 solution of CNO3 was produced.
Metal B had no reaction.
Metal D had no reaction.
displacement reaction.
Metal C experienced a
displacement reaction.
Metal D experienced a
displacement reaction.
Metal A experienced a
displacement reaction.
Metal B experienced no
displacement reaction.
Metal D experienced no
displacement reaction.

4. Metals A, B and C Metal A dissolved at a Metal A experienced a

were each placed in moderate speed with slight displacement reaction.
5cm3 solution of DNO3 effervescence being observed. Metal B experienced no
 Metal B had no reaction. displacement reaction.
Metal C released smoke, Metal C experienced a
effervescence, popping sound, displacement reaction.
orange flame was observed,
brown solid at the bottom and
side of test tube and blue solid
in black solution.

TABLE SHOWING THE DATA COLLECTED FOR THE DISPLACEMENT

REACTIONS BETWEEN THE FOUR METALS AND THE FOUR METAL NITRATES.

Discussion:

An oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction is a type of chemical reaction that involves a transfer of

electrons between two species. It is any chemical reaction in which the oxidation number of a
molecule, atom, or ion changes by gaining or losing an electron. Displacement reactions are a
type of redox reaction that involves a metal and the compound of a different metal. A more
reactive metal will displace or push out a less reactive metal from its compound in a
displacement reaction because metals are reducing agents. This is because the more reactive
metal has a greater tendency to donate electrons and undergo oxidation, while the less reactive
metal has a weaker tendency to donate electrons and undergo oxidation. Metals are said to be
reducing agents because when they react with other compounds, they cause them to reduce while
they are oxidized. Metals are arranged in series based on their reactivity and reducing power. A
metal higher in the series will displace the metals below it.

In this experiment, when Metal A was placed in BNO3, CNO3, and DNO3 solution it displaced the
metals in the metal nitrates. For Metal B, when placed ANO3, CNO3, and DNO3 there was no
displacement of metals in the metal nitrates. Metal C, when placed in BNO3 and DNO3,
displaced the metals in the metal nitrate but when reacting with ANO3 it did not replace the
metals. Lastly, when Metal D was placed in ANO3, BNO3, and CNO3 solution, likewise as Metal
B, the metals in the metal nitrate were not displaced. Therefore, the order of reactivity would be
C, A, D, and B. This principle is used in many industrial and laboratory processes, including the
extraction of metals from their ores and the electroplating of metals onto surfaces.

Precautions:

1. All safety procedures were followed by the experimenter

Limitations:

1. The nitrates may not have fully dissolved in the water, thus the reactions would have
affected the results.
Sources of Error:

1. The samples may have been impure and as such the results may have been altered due to
impurities.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the reducing ability of metals in descending order is C, A, D and B.