Ryan Morrison

AP Chemistry Lab
9-8-10

Introduction:

The purpose of this experiment is to study a set of metals and nonmetals to

find their relative reactivity. From the oxidation-reduction reactions that occurred,

an activity series was created. The expected results from the activity series would be

Mg, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Ag with Mg having the highest reactivity and Ag having the

lowest reactivity. The complete activity series found in Chemistry The Central

Science provides the expected results. The activity series should be arranged the

same way the book has it because the metal Mg has the greatest attractive forces

than all of the other metals in the series.

Materials and Methods:

In the lab, different solutions were combined with other substances to

observe if any chemical reaction took place. A well was used to perform the

reactions and a chart was used to record the data.

Results:
Arrangement of Solutions and Metals in a 24-Well Plate

Cu2+ Mg2+ Pb2+ Zn2+ Ag2+

Cu no no no no yes

Mg yes no yes no yes

Pb yes no no no yes

Zn yes no yes no yes

Activity series:
1. Zn, Mg
2. Pb
3. Cu
4. Ag

Discussion:

Most of the results were correct, however, there were a few errors made that

makes the activity series incorrect. The prediction made stated that the order of the

elements would be Mg, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Ag, but after the results, the activity series

was Zn=Mg, Pb, Cu, and Ag. The error was made because not all of the reactions

could be seen in the 24 well plates. When the reaction between Mg and Zn occurred,

the reaction was not observed, and therefore was not recorded. If all of the

reactions had been recorded, then the activity series from the results would be

correct, but because there were an equal amount of reactions between Mg and other

solutions and Zn and other solutions, the activity series is flawed.

Conclusion:

By observing the characteristics of metals, insight is gained into how

oxidation-reduction reactions occur and how one is to write an activity series. Also,

creating an activity series and correctly recording data is key for use in other

experiments in the laboratory.