PRACTICAL WORK 1: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF COMMON TRANSITION

METALS.

Learning outcomes:

To describe the physical appearance of the common transition metals, copper, iron and zinc

To calculate the density of 3-d transition metals and compare them with 4s metals

To make models of metal crystal structure

To demonstrate electrical conduction in metals and in solutions of electrolytes

Requirements:

Samples of transition metals, Fe, Cu, Zn

Sand-paper or steel wool

Spheres for modelling, e.g. fruits of wild ‘tomato’ growing in college grounds

Balance (weighing scales)

Graduated cylinders and water

Battery (6Volts), connecting wires, bulb

Procedure:

1. Clean the outside of the metal with steel wool or sandpaper, and describe the physical
appearance of the metals: lustre, colour, flexibility (squeeze and bend it).

2. Measure mass and volume of a sample of each metal and calculate its density.
Compare your results with the Periodic Table in the lab, and comment on your results.
Comment on the trend in density going across the 3-d series.

3. With the spheres construct models of hexagonal close-packing, cubic-close packing,

and of body-centred cubic.

4. Set up apparatus to test for electrical conductivity by connecting a bulb with a battery
or power supply to two crocodile clips. (a) Place a metal and a non-metal, e.g.
sulphur, plastic or glass, across the clips and observe if the bulb lights or not. Explain
the difference. (b) Connect graphite electrodes to the clips.

5. Set up apparatus to test for electrical conductivity by connecting a bulb with a battery
to a voltameter (not a voltmeter). Add an aqueous solution of (a) salt (b) acid (c)
alkali (d) sugar and observe if the bulb lights or not. Explain the difference.