SINGLE REPLACEMENT REACTIONS Name: ____________________

By the end of this lesson, I can | ...explain the reactivity of metals. | ...practice using the activity series to predict if a
reaction is going to take place.

Particulate Models | Translate the following from the English names to the Chemistrian formulas and then draw the
particulate model. Remember! The charges should always add up to zero.

Zinc (II) chloride Copper (II) chloride Magnesium chloride

Observations | Write observations if a reaction occurs. If there is no change, write “NR” for “no reaction.

MgCl2 (aq) Red tag CuCl2 (aq) Blue tag ZnCl2 (aq) Green tag

Cu

Zn

Mg

The most reactive metal was (circle one): The most reactive solution was (circle one):
Mg Zn Cu MgCl2 CuCl2 ZnCl2

The least reactive metal was (circle one): The least reactive solution was (circle one):
Mg Zn Cu MgCl2 CuCl2 ZnCl2

Predicting Products | Take a look at the possible products below, comment on what should be observed in each, and
then decide which Possible Products (1, 2, or 3) are most likely the real ones.

Reactants Possible Products 1 Possible Products 2 Possible Products 3

CuCl2 (aq) + Zn (s) → Zn (s) + Cl2 (g) + Cu (s) CuZn (s) + 2Cl- (aq) Cu (s) + ZnCl2 (aq)

What would be
observed?

What’s wrong with it?

(If it’s not the real products)
 A Particulate Model | Because this isn’t really magic. And I don’t have a Magic School Bus.

CuCl2 (aq) + Zn (s) → Cu (s) + ZnCl2 (aq)

→
A Place for a Few Notes or Thoughts…

…on single replacement

reactions.

…on using the Activity

Series.

…on how this is actually

used.

Practice | Using the activity series, decide if the following reactions will take place by putting “RXN” (reaction) or “NR” (no
reaction) on the line right. Then, for the reactions that took place, balance the equation using coefficients.

1. __ Mg(NO3)2 (aq) + __ Zn (s) → __ Zn(NO3)2 (aq) + __ Mg (s) ________________

2. __ NaCl (aq) + __ Li (s) → __ Na (s) + __ LiCl (aq) ________________

3. __ Zn (s) + __ HNO3 (aq) → __ Zn(NO3)2 (aq) + __ H2 (g) ________________

4. __ FeSO4 (aq) + __ Sn (s) → __ SnSO4 (aq) + __ Fe (s) ________________

5. __ Ag2SO4 (aq) + __ Mg (s) → __ Ag (s) + MgSO4 (aq) ________________

6. __Al (s) + __ Fe2O3 (aq) → __ Al2O3 (aq) + __ Fe (s) ________________

7. __ Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + __ Ag (s) → __ Pb (s) + __ AgNO3 (aq) ________________

 Partner 1 Partner 2 Partner 3
Get a well tray and Obtain the following
Grab safety goggles grab 1 full pipette from the “metal
for everyone in your from each container counter”
group.
MgCl2 Plastic transparency

Forceps (tweezers)
CuCl2
2 pieces of copper

ZnCl2 2 pieces of
magnesium

2 pieces of zinc
Mixing Stuff Together
1. Lay the transparency over one of your data tables. Place the
metals in the correct boxes.
2. Add 3 to 4 drops of each solution to the metal (again, following
the data table). Try not to touch the metal with the pipette.
a. If you want to touch it - use the forceps.
3. Record “NR” if nothing happened, or record observations when a
reaction did happen.
Clean Up
1. Using paper towels, wipe up all of the metals and solutions
(reacted and unreacted).
2. Rinse the transparency.
3. Return transparency, forceps, and goggle to where you got them.