AP Chem 20-CF10536A

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An Activity Series
AP Chemistry Laboratory #20
Catalog No. AP5914 Publication No. 10536A
Introduction
In this experiment, a series of metals and a series of nonmetal halogens are studied to find their relative
reactivities. The reactivity of the metals is determined by combining the metals with a complemen-
tary series of metal ions in solution. The reactivity of three halogens is found by mixing each with
a halide ion solution. Using the observed reactions, an activity series, from most reactive to least
reactive, is developed for the metals and for the halogens.

Concepts
• Activity series • Oxidation–reduction • Half-cell reaction

Background
A ranking of elements according to their reactivity is called an activity series. For example, an activity
series containing the elements calcium, gold, and iron would put the reactive calcium at the top, iron in
the middle, and the unreactive gold at the bottom. If a piece of iron metal is placed in a solution of gold
nitrate, the iron dissolves forming positive ions in solution while solid gold metal appears. The more
reactive metal (iron) displaces ions of the less reactive metal [gold(III)] from solution. The less reactive
element appears as the solid element.

Reactions such as these are examples of oxidation–reduction reactions. Oxidation is defined as the
process of losing electrons and substances that lose electrons during chemical reactions are said to
be oxidized. Substances that gain electrons during chemical reactions undergo reduction and are
said to be reduced. If one reactant gains electrons, another must lose electrons. Oxidation and reduc-
tion reactions occur simultaneously, and there must be an equal number of electrons lost and gained
during the two reactions. In the reaction of iron metal with gold ions, the iron metal is oxidized and
the gold ions are reduced. The more reactive metal is the one that is more easily oxidized.

3Fe(s) → 3Fe2+(aq) + 6e– Iron loses electrons. Oxidation


2Au (aq) + 6e → 2Au(s)
3+ –
Gold gains electrons. Reduction

3Fe(s) + 2Au3+(aq) → 3Fe2+(aq) + Au(s) Oxidation–reduction

Figure 1. Reduction of gold ions by iron metal.


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An Activity Series Page 2

When writing oxidation–reduction reactions, it is customary to break the reaction into the two parts
or half-cell reactions. These half-cell reactions represent the separate oxidation and reduction
processes that occur simultaneously. The electrons within the two half-cell reactions must be equal
so there is no net gain or loss of electrons for the overall reaction.

When a substance readily loses electrons (and is oxidized), it acts as a good reducing agent. When
a substance has a strong tendency to gain electrons (and be reduced), it acts as a good oxidizing
agent. Gold ions,Au3+(aq), have a strong tendency to acquire electrons to form neutral gold atoms,
Au(s). Gold ions are thus easily reduced and act as good oxidizing agents.

Experiment Overview
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the activity series for five metals and for three halo-
gens. The first part of this experiment derives an activity series for metals and uses a microscale
technique. The second part derives an activity series for halogens. It makes use of a solvent extrac-
tion technique.

The series of metals to be studied are copper, zinc, magnesium, lead, and silver. Solutions of metal
nitrates for each of these metals are placed in reaction wells. A piece of each metal is then placed
in the other metals’ nitrate solutions and observed to see if any reaction occurs. If a metal reacts
with another metal nitrate, then the solid metal has reduced the other metal ion and is, therefore,
the more reactive metal of the two. By comparing the results of 16 different reactions, the five met-
als are ranked from most reactive to least reactive.

In Part 2, tests are performed to determine the activity series of the halogens. Chlorine (Cl2),
bromine (Br2), and iodine (I2) are placed in solutions containing chloride (Cl–), bromide (Br–), or
iodide (I–). An activity series of the nonmetallic halogens places the most reactive halogen at the
top. In the reaction of a free halogen (X2) with a different halide ions (Y–), the free halogen gains
electrons and is then reduced to its corresponding halide ions (X–). The original halide ions lose
electrons and therefore are oxidized to their corresponding free halogen (Y2). The more reactive
halogens displaces ions of the less reactive halides from solution. In an activity series of halogens,
the most reactive halogen is the one most easily reduced.

X2(aq) + 2e–(aq) → 2X–(aq) Reduction

2Y–(aq) → Y2(aq) + 2e– Oxidation

X2(aq) + 2Y–(aq) → 2X–(aq) + Y2(aq) Oxidation–reduction

Figure 2. Reduction of a free halogen X2 by halide ions Y–.

To determine if a reaction occurs, a method is needed to identify which halogen is present.


Halogens dissolve in the nonpolar solvent mineral oil forming different colored solutions. Mineral
oil does not dissolve in water, but when shaken with an aqueous halogen solution, the halogen is
extracted from the water into the mineral oil. The color of the mineral oil layer indicates which
halogen is present.

© 2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased An Activity Series,Catalog No. AP5914,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
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An Activity Series Page 3

Materials
Part 1
Copper foil, 6 × 6 mm pieces, 4 Magnesium nitrate solution, Mg(NO3)2,0.1 M,4 mL
Zinc foil, Zn, 6 × 6 mm pieces,4 Lead nitrate solution, Pb(NO3)2,0.1 M,4 mL
Magnesium ribbon, Mg, 6-mm pieces, 4 24-well reaction plate
Lead foil,Pb, 6 × 6 mm pieces, 4 Beral-type pipets, 5
Silver nitrate solution, AgNO3,0.1 M, 4 mL Forceps
Cupric nitrate solution, Cu(NO3)2,0.1 M,4 mL Stirring rod
Zinc nitrate solution, Zn(NO3)2,0.1 M,4 mL

Part 2
Chlorine water, Cl2 in H2O,3 mL Potassium iodide solution, KI, 0.1 M,3 mL
Bromine water, Br2 in H2O,3 mL Beral-type pipets, 7
Iodine water,I 2 in H2O, 3 mL Test tubes, 13 × 100 mm, 12
Mineral oil, 12 mL Cork stoppers for test tubes, 12
Sodium chloride solution, NaCl, 0.1 M,3 mL Test tube rack
Sodium bromide solution, NaBr,0.1 M, 3 mL

Safety Precautions
The silver nitrate solution is moderately toxic by ingestion and is a body tissue irritant. Silver
nitrate stains skin and clothing; however, the stains may not appear for several hours. The cupric
nitrate solution is slightly toxic by ingestion and is irritating to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
Zinc nitrate solution is slightly toxic by ingestion and is corrosive to body tissue. Magnesium
nitrate solution is a body tissue irritant. The lead nitrate solution is moderately toxic by ingestion
and inhalation; it is a possible carcinogen and is irritating to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
The magnesium ribbon is a flammable solid. The chlorine, bromine, and iodine water solutions
have strong odors and are highly toxic by ingestion and inhalation. All are very irritating to eyes,
skin, and mucous membranes. Mineral oil is a combustible liquid. Wear chemical splash goggles,
chemical-resistant gloves, and a chemical-resistant apron. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and
water before leaving the laboratory.

Procedure
Part 1. Determine an Activity Series for Metals.
1. Place the 24-well plate on top of a piece of white paper so that there are 6 wells across
(columns) and 4 wells down (rows). Refer to Figure 3 to see how the wells are arranged. Note
that each well is identified by an unique combination of a letter and a number, where the letter
refers to a horizontal row and the number to a vertical column.

2. Put one dropper-full (about 15 drops or 1 mL) of cupric nitrate solution in wells B1, C1, and
D1 in the first column.

3. Put one dropper-full of magnesium nitrate solution in wells A2, C2, and D2 of the second column.

4. Put one dropper-full of lead nitrate solution in wells A3, B3, and D3 of the third column.

5. Put one dropper-full of zinc nitrate solution in wells A4, B4, and C4 of the fourth column.
© 2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased An Activity Series,Catalog No. AP5914,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,r ecording,or any inf ormation storage
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An Activity Series Page 4

6. Put one dropper-full of silver nitrate solution in each of the wells A5 through D5 in the fifth
column.

7. Put a small piece of copper metal in each of the wells containing a solution in the first row.

8. Add magnesium metal to the solutions in the second row, add lead metal to the solutions in the
third row, and add zinc metal to the solutions in the fourth row. Use a stirring rod to submerge
each metal in the solutions. Allow to stand at least 5 minutes.

9. Determine if a reaction has occurred in each well by observing if a new metal has deposited or
if the surface of the metal has become coated.

10. Record each observation as either coating forms or no reaction in the Part 1 Data Table.

1 2 3 4 5 6
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6
Row A

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6
Row B

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6
Row C

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
Row D

Figure 3.

Part 2. Determine an Activity Series for Some Halogens.


All work in Part 2 should be done in a fume hood.

1. As a reference, test to see what color develops when each halogen is dissolved in mineral oil.
Place one dropper-full of chlorine water, one dropper-full of bromine water, and one dropper-
full of iodine water into three separate 10 mm test tubes.

2. Add one dropper-full of mineral oil to each test tube, cork the tube, and shake it for ten seconds.

3. Let the mineral oil layer rise to the top and record the color that each halogen shows when dis-
solved in mineral oil. Record your observations in the Part 2 Data Table.

4. Test to see if the halide ions give a color to mineral oil. Place one dropper-full of sodium chlo-
ride, sodium bromide, and potassium iodide solutions into three separate test tubes.

5. Add a dropper-full of mineral oil to each test tube, cork the tubes, and shake for ten seconds to
determine if the halide ions impart a color to the mineral oil layer.

6. Record your observations in the Part 2 Data Table.

© 2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased An Activity Series,Catalog No. AP5914,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
and retrieval system,without permission in writing from Flinn Scientific, Inc.
An Activity Series Page 5

7. Set up six test tubes in a test tube holder as in Figure 4. Label the test tubes 1 through 6 with a
marker.

Figure 4.

8. React each halogen with the other two halide ion solutions to determine if the ions reduce the
halogens. Place one dropper-full of sodium bromide solution into test tube #1 and one dropper-
full of potassium iodide solution into test tube #2.

9. Add one dropper-full of chlorine water to each of test tubes #1 and #2, cork each, and shake to mix.

10. Add one dropper-full of mineral oil to each of test tubes #1 and #2, cork each, and shake again.

11. When the mineral oil layer has separated, determine its color and whether a reaction has occurred.
If the color of the chlorine appears in the mineral oil layer then no reaction has occurred. If either
the bromine or iodine color appears in the mineral layer, then there was a reaction.

12. Record both the color and the reaction results (reaction or no reaction) for Cl2(aq) in the Part 2
Reaction Data Table.

13. Repeat the test using bromine water. Add one dropper-full of sodium chloride solution to test
tube #3 and one dropper-full of potassium iodide to test tube #4.

14. Add one dropper-full of bromine water to each of test tubes #3 and #4, cork each, and shake to mix.

15. Add one dropper-full of mineral oil to each of test tubes #3 and #4, cork each, and shake again.

16. When the mineral oil layer has separated, determine its color and whether a reaction has
occurred. If the color of the bromine appears in the mineral layer, then no reaction has occurred.
if either the chlorine or iodine color appears in the mineral layer, then there was a reaction.

17. Record both the color and reaction results (reaction or no reaction) for Br2(aq) in the Part 2
Reaction Data Table.

18. Repeat the test for iodine water. Add one dropper-full of sodium chloride solution to test tube
#5 and one dropper-full of sodium bromide solution to test tube #6.

19. Add one dropper-full of iodine water to each of test tubes #5 and #6, cork each, and shake to mix.

20. Add one dropper-full of mineral oil to each of test tubes #5 and #6, cork each, and shake again.

21. Record both the color of the mineral oil layer and the reaction results (reaction or no reaction)
for I2(aq) in the Part 2 Data Table.

© 2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased An Activity Series,Catalog No. AP5914,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
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An Activity Series Page 6

Data Tables Name _____________________________________

Part 1. An Activity Series for Some Metals.


Record your observations in the data table below:

Cu2+(aq) Mg2+(aq) Pb2+(aq) Zn2+(aq) Ag+(aq)

Cu(s) ×

Mg(s) ×

Pb(s) ×

Zn(s) ×

Part 2. An Activity Series for Some Halogens.


Record your observations in the data tables below:

Halogen Color in Mineral Oil Halide Ion Color in Mineral Oil

Reaction Data Table

Reactants Cl2(aq) Br2(aq) I2(aq)

Cl–(aq) ×

Br–(aq) ×

I–(aq) ×

© 2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased An Activity Series,Catalog No. AP5914,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
and retrieval system,without permission in writing from Flinn Scientific, Inc.
An Activity Series Page 7

Disposal
Part 1
Discard all solutions into the container provided by your instructor. Clean the 24-well plate with
soap and water using cotton swabs if needed.

Part 2
Empty the test tubes in the container provided for disposal by your instructor. A different container
than the one used in Part 1 will be used in Part 2.

Post-Lab Questions
1. Write balanced net ionic equations for all the reactions that occurred with the metals.

2. List the metals in order of decreasing ease of oxidation. Compare this list with an activity
series found in a textbook. How do the two lists correlate?

3. Write reduction half-reactions for each of the metal ions. Arrange the reaction list in order of
decreasing ease of reduction. Compare the order with a listing found in a table of standard
reduction potentials. How do the two lists correlate?

4. Explain how to determine if a reaction occurs in the halogen experiment.

5. Why should the halide ions not dissolve in mineral oil?

6. Explain what is meant by solvent extraction. How is it used in Part 2?

7. Write balanced net ionic equations for the reactions which occurred with the halogens.

8. List the halogens in decreasing order of reactivity. Compare this list with an activity series
found in a textbook. How do the two lists correlate? Predict the location of fluorine in this
activity series.

9. Write reduction half-reactions for each of the halogens. Arrange in order of decreasing ease of
reduction. Compare the listing with the order found in a table of standard reduction potentials.
How do the lists correlate?

10. Why was it necessary to test the halide ions for their color in mineral oil?

11. Would it make a difference if calcium bromide solution, CaBr2, is used rather than sodium bro-
mide solution? Explain.

© 2003 Flinn Scientific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction permission is granted only to science teachers who have purchased An Activity Series,Catalog No. AP5914,from Flinn Scientific,
Inc. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including,but not limited to photocopy,recording,or any inf ormation storage
and retrieval system,without permission in writing from Flinn Scientific, Inc.

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