How does the type of metal affect the conductivity of the solution?

Independent Variable: Solvent/Acid

Dependent Variable: Type of Metal

In this experiment, we will explore the relationship between the type of metal and the conductivity of the
solution. The chemical reaction involved can be represented as follows: Metal + Acid → Metal Chloride
+ Hydrogen Gas.

Metals are elements that possess certain characteristics such as being shiny, ductile, malleable,
hard, and fusible. They are also known for their ability to conduct thermal and electrical energy.
When metals undergo oxidation, they form 1+ and 2+ ions, also known as cations, and create
the “oxide” of the respective metal.

By fusing metals together, we can create alloys that exhibit different properties from their parent
materials. This is because alloys are composed of atoms with different sizes, resulting in a non-
uniform lattice structure. The properties of alloys can vary depending on the combination of
metals used.

Metals can exhibit varying levels of reactivity. For example, copper is less reactive due to its
valence electrons having lower energy, allowing the electrons to remain closer to the nucleus
through electrostatic attraction. On the other hand, more reactive metals like sodium readily
react with water because their valence electrons possess higher energy, making them more
willing to give up electrons due to the weak electrostatic attraction between the nucleus and the
outer shell electrons. Alkali metals become more reactive as we move down the group. For
instance, lithium, being higher in the group, is less reactive in air compared to caesium.

Transition metals, which belong to a different group, also exhibit some reactivity with air, although not to
the same extent as magnesium. Iron is one such transition metal that reacts with air or water through
oxidation, resulting in the formation of iron (III) oxide, commonly known as rust. This reaction can be
represented as 4Fe + 2O₂ → 2Fe₂O₃. The oxidation state of iron in this oxide is 3+ since it contains three
O₂ molecules. Rust forms when the metal is exposed to air or water over extended periods without any
protection, as they act as oxidizing agents. Alternatively, iron can also form ferrous oxide or iron (II)
oxide, which has an oxidation state of 2+.Gold, another transition metal, is highly unreactive due to its
“outer orbitals” being deeply buried within the electron shells of the atoms.

Barrier methods involve creating a physical barrier between the metal surface and the surrounding
environment. This helps keep moisture and oxygen away from the metal, preventing them from causing
rust. Protective coatings like paint or varnish can be applied to the metal, or non-reactive materials like
plastic or enamel can be used to cover it. These barriers act like shields, safeguarding the metal from
oxidation and the subsequent formation of rust. Sacrificial protection is a technique used to safeguard
metals from corrosion. It involves connecting a more reactive metal to the metal being protected. The
more reactive metal becomes the sacrificial metal, while the unreactive metal is protected. When
corrosion occurs, it primarily takes place at the sacrificial metal , sacrificing itself to protect the main
metal. For instance, ships and underground pipelines often use sacrificial metals made of magnesium or
zinc. These anodes are periodically replaced as they get consumed by corrosion, ensuring that the main
metal structure remains intact and unharmed This sacrificial coating created by hot dipping entails
dipping the metal into molten protective metal to create a thin coating. In this process, the zinc acts as a
sacrificial metal, oxidizing around the iron. The reaction between zinc and oxygen can be represented as
2Zn + 2O₂ → 2ZnO. This coating acts as a barrier, protecting the target metal from coming into contact
with oxygen and water, thus preventing rusting. Many products, such as sinks, kitchen utensils, pipes, and
other items exposed to water and oxygen, utilize galvanized metals.