METAL REACTIVITY 1

Aim You are going to (1) observe how some metals react with water, acids and oxygen, (2) write
word equations for reactions and then (3) you will then place them in order of reactivity.

Safety • Sodium, potassium, magnesium and • Hold metals with tongs when
calcium are flammable. heating them.

• Hydrochloric acid is an irritant. • Do not put metals down the sink.

Reactions mixtures should be
• Only carry out the reactions shown poured through the sieve into the
in the table (those in grey are container to prevent this.
teacher demos)

Method Reaction with acid (metal + acid → salt + hydrogen)

Place a small piece of the metal in a test tube containing about 3 cm depth of hydrochloric acid.
Reaction with water (metal + water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen)
Place a small piece of the metals shown in the table in a test tube containing about 3 cm depth
of water. (your teacher will demonstrate sodium and potassium)
Reaction with oxygen (metal + oxygen → metal oxide)
Hold a piece of the metal (use iron wool for iron) using tongs and hold in the flame of a Bunsen
burner on a mat.

Reaction with acids Observation

magnesium + hydrochloric acid →

Most
reactive
zinc + hydrochloric acid →
………….
copper + hydrochloric acid →
………….
iron + hydrochloric acid →
………….
calcium + hydrochloric acid →
………….

Reaction with water Observation ………….

magnesium + water → ………….

zinc + water → ………….

Least
copper + water →
reactive

iron + water →

calcium + water →

sodium + water →

potassium + water →

Reaction with oxygen Observation

magnesium + oxygen →

iron + oxygen →

copper + oxygen →

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