Activity Series Verification
Testing metal reactivity with displacement reactions
Objective
Verify the electrochemical activity series by testing whether metals can displace other metals from solution.
Background
A more reactive (more easily oxidized) metal will displace a less reactive metal from its salt solution. By testing multiple combinations, students can experimentally construct the activity series: Zn > Fe > Cu > Ag.
Safety Warnings
- Silver nitrate stains skin permanently
- Copper sulfate is toxic
- Wear gloves when handling solutions
Required PPE
Materials
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Zinc strips (3 pieces)Small pieces
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Iron nails (3)Clean steel nails
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Copper strips (3 pieces)
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Copper(II) sulfate solution (50 mL)0.1M
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Iron(II) sulfate solution (50 mL)0.1M
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Zinc sulfate solution (50 mL)0.1M
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Silver nitrate solution (30 mL)0.1M
Equipment
Procedure
Sand all metal pieces until shiny to remove oxide layers.
Place 10 mL of each metal salt solution into labeled test tubes. You need: CuSO₄, FeSO₄, ZnSO₄, and AgNO₃.
Test zinc in CuSO₄ solution. Observe for 5 minutes and record changes on the metal and in the solution.
Test iron in CuSO₄ solution. Observe and record.
Test copper in ZnSO₄ solution. Observe and record (expect no reaction).
Test copper in AgNO₃ solution. Observe silver crystals forming on the copper.
Compile results into a reactivity table and rank the metals from most to least reactive.
Expected Results
Zinc displaces copper (blue solution fades, copper deposits on zinc). Iron displaces copper (blue fades slower). Copper does not displace zinc. Copper displaces silver (silver crystals grow). Order: Zn > Fe > Cu > Ag.
Cleanup
Collect silver waste separately in heavy metal container. Dispose of copper waste properly. Rinse metal pieces and test tubes.
Details
- Category
- Electrochemistry
- Difficulty
- Beginner (Middle School)
- Duration
- 30 min
- Est. Cost
- $12.00
- Steps
- 7
- Materials
- 7