Air is a mixture of gases.

Evidence to show that air is a mixture

▪ Its components are physically combined
▪ Its components can be separated by physical method such as fractional
distillation.
▪ Its composition is variable i.e. component in it can be present in any
proportions by mass.

Composition of air
Approximate percentage composition of air by volume
Component Approximate percentage
composition by volume
1. Nitrogen, N2 78
2. Oxygen, O2 21
3. Rare/noble/inert gases 0.97
4. Carbon dioxide, CO2 0.03
5. Water vapour Variable
6. Impurities Variable

From the above table, it’s evident that the two major components of air are
Nitrogen and oxygen.
The components of air are separated by fractional distillation method.

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Separating the components of air by fractional distillation method
1. Air is cleaned by removing dust particles then Carbon dioxide and water
vapour are removed because at low temperature they solidify and block
the apparatus. Carbon dioxide is removed by passing air through
concentrated potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide while water
vapour is removed by passing air through silica gel.
2. Air is compressed and passed through a water-cooled coil to cool it.
3. Cool compressed air is then allowed to expand by passing it through a
jet into the expansion chamber. This causes it to cool further.
4. The cooled air circulates around the apparatus until the temperature is
low enough for it to liquefy.
5. The components of liquid air are mainly nitrogen (boiling point ─196oC)
and oxygen (boiling point ─183oC) which can be separated by fractional
distillation of liquid air. Liquid nitrogen distills off first, leaving behind
oxygen because nitrogen has a lower boiling point that oxygen.
6. Liquid Nitrogen and liquid oxygen can separately be stored as liquids or
converted to gases and stored in steel gas cylinders.
Note: the oxygen prepared using the above method is impure since it
contains a small percentage of noble gases.

Uses of nitrogen
1. Nitrogen gas is used in the manufacture of ammonia gas by the Haber
process. Ammonia is used to manufacture fertilizers e.g. ammonium
sulphate.
2. Liquid nitrogen is used as a refrigerant for freezing food stuffs.
3. Nitrogen in form of nitrates is a useful plant nutrient required for proper
plant growth and survival.
4. Gaseous nitrogen is used to fill petrol and oil storage tanks since it
doesn’t burn therefore reduces the risk of explosion.
5. Outside parts of flying aircrafts and spacecrafts are tested by putting
them in liquid nitrogen.
6. Nitrogen dilutes oxygen in the atmosphere, making processes such as
combustion, respiration and rusting slower.
Note:

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▪ Nitrogen gas is removed from the atmosphere by nitrogen fixing bacteria
found in root nodules of legumes that gaseous nitrogen into nitrates.
▪ Nitrogen gas is added to the atmosphere by denitrifying bacteria that
convert nitrates into nitrogen gas. (Refer to your Biology notes of the
Nitrogen cycle)

Uses of oxygen
1. Oxygen gas is used for aerobic respiration of food substances (e.g.
glucose) so as to release energy in living cells.
2. Oxygen gas is essential for processes such as respiration, combustion,
rusting and germination to occur.
3. Oxygen combines with ethyne(acetylene) or hydrogen to form
oxyacetylene and oxyhydrogen flames respectively which are used for
welding and cutting steel.
4. Stored oxygen is used to aid breathing when the natural supply of
oxygen is insufficient e.g. intensive care/ anaesthetized patients,
astronauts, mountain climbers, sky divers, underwater divers and
miners.
5. Oxygen is used in the making of steel.
6. Oxygen is used to burn fuel in spacecrafts and rockets.
Note:
▪ Oxygen is added to the atmosphere naturally by photosynthesis
carried out by plants.
▪ Oxygen is removed from the atmosphere by processes such as;
respiration, combustion, rusting, germinations etc.

Uses of noble or rare or inert gases

(they include; helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon)
1. Argon is used in filling ordinary electric bulbs so as to prevent the
tungsten filament from blowing incase its heated in the presence of air
(oxygen).
2. Argon together with mercury vapour is used in filling fluorescent lamps.

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3. Neon is used to make bright red advertising lights. Neon lights are used
to indicate edges of runways on airfields. Other noble elements are used
to make advertising lights of different colours.
4. Xenon is used to make Very bright white light car head lamps.
5. Helium is used as a coolant in nuclear reactors
6. Helium being a very light gas is used to fill weather balloons and other
airships (blimps)
(NB: Hydrogen is the lightest but it’s rarely used to fill balloons because its highly
flammable and explosive if mixed with air)

Uses of carbon dioxide

1. Carbon dioxide gas is used by plants to make organic food substances
during photosynthesis.
2. Carbon dioxide in fire extinguishers is used to put-out fire since carbon
dioxide gas does not support burning.
3. Carbon dioxide is used to preserve soft drinks especially fizzy drinks
such as soda.
4. Carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant. Solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) is
used for refrigerating ice cream, fruits, meat, drinks etc.
5. During baking, bubbles of carbon dioxide gas from heated baking
powder make dough to rise which increases the size of bread.
Note:

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▪ Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere naturally by
photosynthesis carried out by plants especially trees.
▪ Carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere by processes such as
respiration, combustion, fermentation. (Refer to your Biology notes of the
carbon cycle)
▪ Some carbon dioxide dissolves in water of oceans, seas, lakes, rivers
and other water bodies.

Water vapour
The percentage of water vapour varies from place to place.
Water vapour is added to the atmosphere by evaporation of water from
water bodies, transpiring plants and desiccation by other organisms.
(Refer to your Biology notes of the water cycle)

Impurities
They include; dust, smoke and other gases such as carbon monoxide,
Sulphur dioxide, Sulphur trioxide, hydrogen sulphide and nitrogen oxides.
The composition of impurities varies from place to place.
Most industrial areas and urban areas contain high levels of impurities
since they constitute gaseous industrial wastes and automobile exhaust
fumes.
Read about and make notes on
Pollution
▪ Definition of pollution
▪ Types of pollution
▪ Common pollutants and their sources
▪ Causes of pollution
▪ Effects of pollution
▪ Measures to avoid or control pollution.

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There are four main stages involved when preparing a gas in the
laboratory.
1. Production stage
Suitable reactants are put in the reaction vessel and allowed to react
under suitable conditions such as temperature, pressure and catalyst so
as to form/yield/liberate the gas.
2. Purification stage
This stage involves removing any other gases or vapour or fumes
produced along with the gas to be prepared. Such gases may be
removed by passing the gas through water so as to remove those that
are highly soluble in water e.g. hydrogen chloride.
3. Drying stage
When the gas to be prepared is required dry, it is passed through or
over a suitable drying agent so as to absorb water vapour contained in
the gas.
4. Collection stage
The method to be used to collect a given gas depends on properties
such as its solubility in water and its density compared to that of air.

Drying of gases
A drying agent is a compound used to absorb water or moisture from other
substances.
Examples of common drying agents include;
i) Concentrated sulphuric acid
Concentrated sulphuric acid is used to dry gases that do not react with it
e.g. Oxygen, Hydrogen, Carbon dioxide, Hydrogen chloride and Sulphur
dioxide.

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ii) Anhydrous calcium chloride

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 Anhydrous calcium chloride is suitable for drying most gases EXCEPT
ammonia because it reacts with it.

iii) Calcium oxide (Quick lime)

Calcium oxide is used to dry ammonia gas because calcium oxide is the
only drying agent that doesn’t react with it.

iv) Silicon dioxide (SiO2)

Used to dry most gases and solids
v) Phosphorus(V) oxide (P2O5)
Used to dry most gases
Note
A suitable drying agent should not react with or dissolve in the drying
agent. e.g. calcium oxide is the suitable drying agent for ammonia gas
since other drying agents e.g. concentrated sulphuric acid and anhydrous
calcium chloride react with the gas.
Drying of liquids and solids

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Liquids are dried by adding small quantities of an insoluble solid drying
agent the liquid does not react with. After drying, the insoluble solid drying
agent can be filtered off. E.g. Calcium oxide is used for drying organic
solvents such as ethanol, ether and chloroform.
Solids are dried by keeping them in an oven or desiccator containing a
suitable drying agent.

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Collection of gases
The choice of method of gas collection depends on;
i) The solubility of the gas in water
ii) The density of the gas compared to that of air.
iii) Whether the gas is required dry or not.

Common methods of collecting gases include;

i) Collection over water (or water displacement) method
This method is suitable for collecting gases that are insoluble or slightly
soluble in water provided they are not required dry e.g. oxygen, carbon
dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen etc.

Note: Dry gases must not be collected over water.

ii) Upward delivery or downward displacement of air method

This method is used to collect gases that are less dense than air e.g.
Hydrogen and ammonia

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iii) Downward delivery method or upward displacement of air method.
This method is used to collect gases that are denser than air e.g.
carbon dioxide, chlorine, hydrogen chloride, Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen
dioxide etc.

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iv) Liquefaction and freezing.
Example of gas collected is nitrogen dioxide

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v) Using a gas syringe
Gases such as nitrogen and oxygen whose density is almost equal to
that of air are collected using a gas syringe since they cannot be
collected by either upward delivery of downward delivery methods.

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Occurrence
Oxygen exists in gaseous state as O2 constituting 21% of air by volume
and in the earth’s crust in a combined state as water, carbonates,
sulphates, nitrates, silicates and many metallic and non-metallic oxides.

Laboratory preparation of oxygen gas

Oxygen gas is prepared in the laboratory from either hydrogen peroxide or
potassium chlorate in the presence of manganese(IV) oxide catalyst.

Laboratory preparation of oxygen gas from hydrogen peroxide using

Manganese(IV) oxide as a catalyst.

When the tap is opened, hydrogen peroxide flow from the thistle funnel
drop-wise to manganese(IV) oxide in the flask.
Observation
Effervescence (rapid evolution of gas bubbles) occurs and a colourless gas
is given off which can be collected over water if NOT required dry.
Equation for the reaction
2H2O2 (g) → 2H2O (l) + O2 (g)

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Manganese(IV) oxide is used as a catalyst to speed-up the decomposition
of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen gas.

Laboratory preparation of oxygen gas from potassium

chlorate using Manganese(IV) oxide as a catalyst.

Potassium chlorate is mixed with manganese(IV) oxide in a ratio of 4:1 and

heated in a hard glass test tube. Oxygen gas given off may be collected
over water if NOT required dry.
Glass wool is used to prevent tiny crystals of potassium chlorate from being
carried along with the oxygen gas produced.
Equation for the reaction
2KClO3 (s) → 2KCl (s) + 3O2 (g)
Manganese(IV) oxide is used as a catalyst to speed-up the decomposition
of potassium chlorate to potassium chloride and oxygen gas.

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Note:
A catalyst is a substance that changes the speed or rate of a chemical
reaction but itself remains unchanged in terms of mass and chemical
composition at the end of the reaction.
Other reactions leading to the formation of oxygen gas
1. When sodium peroxide is dissolved in water, oxygen gas is produced
2Na2O2 (s) + 2H2O (l) → 4NaOH(aq) + O2 (g)
2. When a solid mixture of potassium permanganate and manganese(IV)
oxide catalyst is heated strongly, oxygen gas is given off.
3. When red mercury(II) oxide is heated, oxygen gas is given off and a
silvery deposit of mercury is formed.
4. Some metal nitrates decompose on heating to give off oxygen gas.

Collection of dry oxygen gas

If oxygen gas is required dry, it is passed through a bottle containing
concentrated sulphuric acid or a U-tube packed with anhydrous calcium
chloride to dry it and then collected using a gas syringe. This is because
the density of dry Oxygen gas is almost equal to that air therefore cannot
be collected by either upward delivery or downward delivery methods.

Industrial or commercial preparation of oxygen

Oxygen gas is obtained on large scale by fractional distillation of liquid
air. (refer to previous notes)

Physical properties of oxygen

1. It is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas
2. It is a neutral gas i.e. it has no effect on litmus and other indicators
3. It is slightly soluble in water. This explains why oxygen gas may be
collected over water.
4. Its density is almost equal to that of air

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Testing for the presence of oxygen
Requirement: Glowing splint
Procedure: Plunge or lower a glowing splint into a jar containing the gas
Observation: the glowing splint relights or rekindles only in the presence of
oxygen gas.

Testing for the presence of carbon dioxide gas

Requirement: Limewater (calcium hydroxide solution)
Procedure: Pass (or bubble) carbon dioxide gas through limewater
Observation: Limewater turns milky (forms a white precipitate) only in the
presence of carbon dioxide gas.

Testing for the presence of water

Requirement: Anhydrous copper(II) sulphate (white powder)
or Anhydrous cobalt(II) chloride (blue)
Observation: Water turns white anhydrous copper(II) sulphate blue or
cobalt(II) chloride from blue to pink.

Burning of elements in air (Oxygen)

Oxygen being an exceptionally active element, it combines vigorously with
many metals and non-metals to form oxides and peroxides. Noble
elements and halogens do not combine with oxygen directly to form oxides.
An oxide is a compound of oxygen and another element.

Burning of metals in air (oxygen)

When metals burn in air, they react or combine with oxygen to form metallic
oxides most of which are basic in character.
1. Sodium
Sodium metal burns in air (oxygen) with a bright yellow flame.
In limited or insufficient oxygen supply, a white solid of sodium oxide is
formed.

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 4Na (s) + O2 (g) → 2Na2O (s) sodium oxide – white solid
In excess or unlimited oxygen supply, a yellow solid of sodium peroxide
is formed.
2Na (s) + O2 (g) → Na2O2 (s) sodium peroxide – yellow solid
Both sodium oxide and sodium peroxide dissolve in water to form
alkaline solution of sodium hydroxide.
Na2O (s) + H2O (l) → 2NaOH(aq) sodium hydroxide
Sodium peroxide dissolves with effervescence of a colourless gas
(oxygen)
2Na2O2 (s) + 2H2O (l) → 4NaOH(aq) + O2 (g)

2. Calcium
Calcium metal burns in air (oxygen) with a bright red (characteristic
brick-red) flame forming a white solid of Calcium oxide.
2Ca(s) + O2 (g) → 2CaO(s) Calcium oxide – white solid
Calcium oxide slowly dissolves in water to form an alkaline solution of
calcium hydroxide.
CaO (s) + H2O (l) → Ca(OH)2 (aq) Calcium hydroxide

3. Magnesium
Magnesium burns in air (oxygen) with a very bright white (dazzling)
flame forming a white ash of magnesium oxide.
2Mg(s) + O2 (g) → 2MgO(s) magnesium oxide – white solid
Magnesium oxide does not readily dissolve in water.

4. Aluminium
When strongly heated, Aluminium burns in oxygen to form a white solid
of Aluminium oxide (Alumina)
4Al (s) + 3O2 (g) → 2Al2O3 (s) Aluminium oxide

5. Zinc
Zinc burns in oxygen with a bluish-green flame forming a yellow solid of
Zinc oxide that turns into a white powder on cooling.
2Zn(s) + O2 (g) → 2ZnO(s) zinc oxide – yellow when hot and white when cold.

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6. Iron
When strongly heated, iron burns in oxygen with a shower of bright
sparks forming a black solid of tri-iron tetra oxide (Fe3O4) which is
insoluble in water.
3Fe (s) + 2O2 (g) → Fe3O4 (s) Tri-iron tetra oxide
7. Copper
Copper burns in oxygen with a bluish-green flame forming a black solid
of Copper(II) oxide which is insoluble in water.
2Cu(s) + O2 (g) → 2CuO(s) Copper(II) oxide – Black solid (hot or cold).

Burning of non-metals in air (oxygen)

Non-metals e.g. Carbon, Sulphur and Phosphorus burn in air (oxygen) to
form non-metallic oxides most of which are acidic in character i.e. dissolve
in water to form acids.
1. Sulphur
Sulphur burns in oxygen with a bright blue flame forming misty fumes
containing a mixture of Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and Sulphur trioxide (SO3)
3S(s) + 4O2 (g) → SO2 (g) + 2SO3 (g)
Both gases (Sulphur dioxide and Sulphur trioxide) dissolve in water to
form acidic solutions.

2. Carbon
Wood charcoal (carbon) burns in plentiful supply of oxygen with an
orange flame and bright sparks forming a colourless gas (carbon
dioxide) that turns limewater milky.
C(s) + O2 (g) → CO2 (g)
Carbon dioxide slightly in water to form a weakly acidic solution.
In limited or insufficient oxygen supply, carbon monoxide is formed
instead of carbon dioxide.
2C(s) + O2 (g) → 2CO (g)
Carbon monoxide is insoluble in water and is neutral i.e. neither acidic
nor basic.

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3. Phosphorus
Phosphorus burns in oxygen with a very bright yellow flame forming
white clouds of oxides of phosphorus i.e. Phosphorus(V) oxide (P2O5)
and Phosphorus(III) oxide (P2O3)
P4 (s) + 5O2 (g) → 2P2O5 (s)
P4 (s) + 3O2 (g) → 2P2O3 (s)

Classification of oxides
There are four main classes of oxides i.e.
▪ Basic oxides
▪ Acidic oxides
▪ Amphoteric oxides
▪ Neutral oxides

1. Basic oxides
These are oxides of metals which react with acids to form a salt and
water only.
Examples of basic oxides
▪ Sodium oxide Na2O ▪ Magnesium oxide MgO
▪ Potassium oxide K2O ▪ Copper(II) oxide CuO
▪ Calcium oxide CaO ▪

Soluble basic oxides such as sodium oxide and potassium oxide

dissolve in water to form alkaline solutions.
Reactions of some basic oxides with water
Na2O (s) + 2HCl (aq) → 2NaCl (aq) + H2O (l)
CuO (s) + H2SO4 (aq) → CuSO4 (aq) + H2O (l)
2. Acidic oxides
These are oxides of non-metals which dissolve in water to form acidic
solutions (acids). They are also called acid anhydrides.
Examples of acidic oxides and how they react with water
a) Carbon dioxide (CO2)
CO2 (g) + H2O (l) → H2CO3 (aq) carbonic acid
b) Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

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 SO2 (g) + H2O (l) → H2SO3 (aq) sulphurous acid
c) Sulphur trioxide (SO3)
SO3 (g) + H2O (l) → H2SO4 (aq) sulphuric acid
d) Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
2NO2 (g) + H2O (l) → HNO3 (aq) + HNO2 (aq) nitric acid and nitrous acid respectively
e) Phosphorus(III) oxide (P2O3)
P2O3 (g) + 3H2O (l) → 2H3PO3 (aq) phosphorous acid
f) Phosphorus(V) oxide (P2O5)
P2O5 (g) + 3H2O (l) → 2H3PO4 (aq) phosphoric acid
3. Amphoteric oxides
These are oxides of metals which show both acidic and basic properties.
They react with both acids and alkalis.
Examples of amphoteric oxides
▪ Zinc oxide (ZnO)
▪ Aluminium oxide (Al2O3)
▪ Lead(II) oxide (PbO)
4. Neutral oxides
These are oxides which show neither acidic nor basic properties. Their
solutions have no effect on litmus and other acid-base indicators.
Examples of neutral oxides
▪ Water (H2O)
▪ Carbon monoxide (CO)
▪ Nitrogen monoxide (NO)
▪ Dinitrogen oxide (N2O)

Mixed oxides
These are oxides that appear to be consisting of two or more simpler
oxides. They react like a mixture of two or more simpler oxides.
Mixed oxides are formed by metals having more than one valency.
Examples of mixed oxides
i) Tri-lead tetra-oxide or Di-lead(II) lead(IV) oxide (Pb3O4)
It appears to be consisting of 2PbO and PbO2
ii) Tri-iron tetra-oxide (Fe3O4)

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 It appears to be consisting of FeO and Fe2O3

Higher oxides
These are oxides which contain more oxygen per molecule than the
corresponding normal oxide.
Examples
Element Normal oxide Higher oxide
Iron FeO Fe2O3 and Fe3O4
Lead PbO PbO2 and Pb3O4
Sodium Na2O Na2O2
Hydrogen H 2O H2O2
Tin SnO SnO2

Products of burning organic compounds in air (oxygen)

Organic compound made-up of elements carbon and hydrogen are called
Hydrocarbons.
Combustible materials such as candle wax, natural gas (methane) and
common fuels e.g. petrol, paraffin and diesel are hydrocarbons that burn in
air (oxygen) to form carbon dioxide and water.

Experiment to show that burning candle wax produces

carbon dioxide and water as the major products.

UCE chemistry notes by Nsumba Emmanuel Page 22 of 27

Procedure:
The products of burning candle are drawn up the funnel through the
apparatus as shown above. First through a U-tube containing white
anhydrous copper(II) sulphate (or blue cobalt(II) chloride paper) then
through a wash bottle containing lime-water (calcium hydroxide solution)
Observation:
Drops of a colourless liquid condense in the U-tube, turning white
anhydrous copper(II) sulphate blue (blue cobalt(II) chloride paper pink)
indicating that one of the products of burning candle wax is water.
Lime-water turns milky (forms a white precipitate) indicating that carbon
dioxide gas is also given off by burning candle wax.
Conclusion:
Candle wax burns in air (oxygen) to form carbon dioxide and water

When Iron is left in damp-moist air, it develops reddish-brown coatings

called rust.
Facts about rust
Chemical name: Hydrated Iron(III) oxide
Chemical formula: Fe2O3.nH2O
Colour: Reddish-brown
Conditions for its formation: presence of water and oxygen
Experiment to investigate the conditions necessary for rusting of Iron
to occur
Requirements
▪ 3 test tubes ▪ Boiled water ▪ Oil
▪ Cotton wool ▪ Spring or tap water ▪ Fresh iron nails or pins

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Procedure
▪ Three test tubes A, B and C are set-up with their content as shown
below.

▪ The set-up is left to stand for 7 days.

Observation and explanation
▪ Iron nails in test tube A turned brown (the nails rusted) because all the
conditions necessary for rusting of iron to occur where present i.e. water
and oxygen since fresh water contains dissolved oxygen.
▪ Iron nails in test tube B remained unchanged (did not rust) due to the
absence of oxygen since boiled water does not contain dissolved
oxygen and the oil layer stops air from entering into boiled water.
▪ Iron nails in test tube C remained unchanged (did not rust) due to the
absence of water since all the moisture in air surrounding the nails was
absorbed by the drying agent, anhydrous calcium chloride.
Conclusion
Rusting of Iron can only occur in the presence of both water and oxygen.
Equation leading to the formation of Rust
4Fe (s) + 3O2 (g) +2nH2O (l) → 2Fe2O3.nH2O (s)

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Methods of preventing rusting of iron
1. By oiling and greasing
A thin layer of oil or grease is put on the metal surface so as to keep off
air and water. This method is used to prevent rusting in iron or steel
tools or machines. The oil of grease layer must constantly be replaced.
2. By painting, varnishing and polishing.
A coating of paint or varnish or tar is applied on iron or steel objects so
as to prevent rusting by cutting off water and air e.g. door frames,
window frames, bridges, car and bicycle parts made up of iron or steel.
3. By plastic coating or enamel coating.
whereby the iron object is effectively wrapped with a plastic material or a
hard-shiny substance called enamel which denies it access to both air
and water or moisture e.g. in cookers, washing machines, refrigerators
and other appliances.
4. By alloying
Iron is mixed with other elements (metals or non-metals) to form alloys
which are resistant to rusting for example stainless steel which doesn’t
rust. It’s used to make surgical instruments, knives, scissors, cutlery,
sinks, saucepans etc.
5. By galvanization and metal plating
Galvanization is the process of coating an iron object with a layer of zinc
so as to prevent it from rusting. This may be done by spraying,
electrolysis or dipping the object into molten zinc e.g. in Iron sheets and
dust bins.
6. Sacrificial protection
The Iron object is connected to a more reactive metal (any metal higher
than Iron in the reactivity series) preferably magnesium or zinc. The
sacrificed metal reacts and corrodes instead of the iron object.

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Competition for oxygen and the reactivity series
Some metals are more reactive than others. They react more readily with
oxygen, water, dilute acids and other aqueous solutions. The arrangement
of metals according to their order of reactivity is called the metal reactivity
series.
Potassium K Most reactive
Sodium Na
Calcium Ca
Magnesium Mg
Aluminium Al
Zinc Zn
Iron Fe
Lead Pb
Hydrogen H
Copper Cu
Mercury Hg
Silver Hg
Gold Au Least reactive

Potassium is the most reactive metal and gold is the least reactive metal is
gold.
More reactive metals displace less reactive metals from their compounds.
For example, Zinc being more reactive than copper, it displaces copper
from copper(II) sulphate solution forming a brown solid of copper and a
colourless solution of zinc sulphate.
Zn(s) + CuSO4 (aq) → Cu(s) + ZnSO4 (aq)
Less reactive metals CANNOT displace more reactive metals from their
compounds
For example;
ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s) → No reaction

UCE chemistry notes by Nsumba Emmanuel Page 26 of 27

Activity
Complete the following equations by indicating “no reaction” if its an
impossible reaction or writing the products and balancing the equation in
case of a possible reaction.
a) FeSO4(aq) + Zn(s) →
b) ZnSO4(aq) + Al(s) →
c) NaOH(aq) + Mg(s) →
d) HCl(aq) + Mg(s) →
e) H2SO4(aq) + Ag(s) →

Additional notes/ Comments/ Views:

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▬END▬
Prepared by Nsumba Emmanuel Tel: +256 782 683 112, Email: emmansumba@gmail.com
© 2020 Edition

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