Laboratory 7

(ACT)

Investigation of Aqueous
Reactions
Several different types of reactions may occur in aqueous solutions, including
acid–base neutralization reactions, precipitation reactions, and oxidation–reduc-
tion reactions. All of these reactions are described in Chapter 4 of your textbook.
This activity combines a computer simulation with hands-on activities. The ques-
tions posed in the activity are closely aligned with concepts from the class and
represent possible exam questions. Gaining an understanding of the material while
in the lab through discussions with classmates and your TA are highly encouraged.
Referring back to Chapter 4 is a great idea if you have difficulty.

Laboratory Sequence

Computer Simulation Oxidation-Reduction,

Application of the Testing of Metals and
How do metals and Precipitation, and
Activity Series Aqueous Metal Ions
metal ions react? Neutralization Reactions

The activity begins with a computer simulation that allows you to quickly compare
the relative reactivity of different metals and metals ions by “observing” when a
reaction does, or does not, take place.

Next, you will consider how this reactivity information is summarized in the activ-
ity series, and will use the activity series to predict whether oxidation–reduction
reactions will occur.

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 ACT

Experimentally, you will then test different metals and metal ions that were presented in
the simulation and see what really happens. This will be extended to consider reactions that
were not included in the simulation but are included in the activity series.

Finally, you will investigate scenarios that bring together all of the reaction types discussed
in Chapter 4: oxidation–reduction, precipitation, and neutralization reactions. If you are
able to successfully predict these reactions you have a good understanding of many of the
ideas in Chapter 4, including solubility guidelines for ionic compounds in water (section
4.2), neutralization reactions (section 4.3), oxidation–reduction reactions (4.4), and solu-
tion stoichiometry (4.6).

Part A. Complete Sections I–III Before Lab (Graded Pre-Lab)

How do metals and metal ions react?1

I. Data Collection: Eight Solutions
The simulation is located at: go.osu.edu/activity. Open the software and go to the opening
activity. You should see a graphic that appears in part like Figure A.

A. Hold the magnifier over each beaker and “click” to view its submicroscopic contents.
Record what you see on the beakers in Figure A.

Mg(NO3)2(aq) Zn(NO3)2(aq) Cu(NO3)2(aq) AgNO3(aq)

Figure A.
B. In your own words describe why H2O molecules are not displayed when the magnifier
shows the submicroscopic contents of each beaker.

1 Simulation and activity written by John I. Gelder, Oklahoma State University and Michael R. Abraham,
86 University of Oklahoma.
 Investigation of Aqueous Reactions

II. Data Analysis

A. Are the ionic compounds used to prepare the solutions depicted in Figure A best de-
scribed as strong electrolytes, weak electrolytes, or nonelectrolytes? Explain your
reasoning.

B. Based on the solubility guidelines shown below, could these solutions have been made
using acetate (CH3COO–) anions, such as Zn(CH3COO)2? Could they have been made
using carbonate (CO32–) anions? How would the solutions be the same or different?

C. Predict what would be present in the Fe(NO3)2(aq), Pb(NO3)2(aq), Ni(NO3)2(aq), and

Sn(NO3)2(aq) beakers.

Table 7.1 Solubility Guidelines for Common Ionic Compounds in Water.

Soluble Ionic Compounds Important Exceptions

Compounds containing NO3 – None
CH3COO– None
Cl– Compounds of Ag+, Hg22+, and Pb2+
Br– Compounds of Ag+, Hg22+, and Pb2+
I– Compounds of Ag+, Hg22+, and Pb2+
SO42– Compounds of Sr2+, Ba2+, Hg22+, and Pb2+
Insoluble Ionic Compounds Important Exceptions
Compounds of NH4+, the alkali metal
Compounds containing S2–
cations, and Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+
Compounds of NH4+ and the alkali metal
CO32–
cations
Compounds of NH4+ and the alkali metal
PO43–
cations
Compounds of the alkali metal cations,
OH–
and NH4+, Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+
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 ACT

III. Data Collection and Analysis in the Simulation for Activity One, Two,
and Three
ACTIVITY ONE

A. Go to Activity One in the simulation and follow the instructions to test the interactions
for each metal with each of the solutions. In the table record observations and write the
net ionic equations.

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

Observations
Mg(s)

Net ionic
equation

Observations
Cu(s)

Net ionic
equation

Observations
Zn(s)

Net ionic
equation

Observations
Ag(s)

Net ionic
equation

Rank the metals from most reactive (reacted with the most solutions) to the least reactive:

Rank the metal ions from most to the least reactive:

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 Investigation of Aqueous Reactions

Repeat this process for the metals and metal ions in Activity Two and Activity Three.

ACTIVITY TWO

Fe2+(aq) Pb2+(aq) Ni2+(aq) Sn2+(aq)

Observations
Fe(s)

Net ionic
equation

Observations
Pb(s)

Net ionic
equation

Observations
Ni(s)

Net ionic
equation

Observations
Sn(s)

Net ionic
equation

Rank the metals from most reactive (reacted with the most solutions) to the least reactive:

Rank the metal ions from most to the least reactive:

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 ACT

ACTIVITY THREE

Fe2+(aq) Zn2+(aq) Cu2+(aq) Pb2+(aq)

Observations
Fe(s)

Net ionic
equation

Observations
Zn(s)

Net ionic
equation

Observations
Cu(s)

Net ionic
equation

Observations
Pb(s)

Net ionic
equation

Rank the metals from most reactive (reacted with the most solutions) to the least reactive:

Rank the metal ions from most to the least reactive:

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 Investigation of Aqueous Reactions

IV. Overall Data Analysis and Conclusions (May be completed in lab with a
partner)
Combine your results from Activities One, Two, and Three.

Most Reactive Metals Least Reactive Metals

Most Reactive Metal Ions Least Reactive Metal Ions

In these reactions is the solid metal being oxidized or reduced?

What species is the reducing agent? Is it the metal, the metal ion, or the NO3–(aq) ions?

What is the relationship between the reactivity of a metal and the reactivity of the corre-
sponding metal ion?

At the particle level, what does a metal and metal ion oxidation–reduction “look like?” It
is possible to examine “Molecule Scale Reactions” in the simulation.

?
+
? 2+

? + ? ?

+
2+
?
+

©Hayden-McNeil, LLC

Which of these oxidation–reduction reactions could be represented in this figure?

Cu(s)+ Mg2+(aq) $

Mg(s) + Cu2+(aq) $

Mg(s) + Ag+(aq) $

Ag(s) + Mg2+(aq) $
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 ACT

Part B: Metal Reactivity and the Activity Series

The relative reactivity for metal with metals ions is summarized in the Activity Series.

Notice that, in addition to metals and metal ions being shown, the oxidation of hydrogen
gas to produce H+(aq) is also included.

Table 7.2 Activity series of metals in aqueous solution.

Metal Oxidation Reaction

Lithium Li(s) $ Li+(aq) + e–
Potassium K(s) $ K+(aq) + e–
Barium Ba(s) $ Ba2+(aq) + 2e–
Calcium Ca(s) $ Ca2+(aq) + 2e–
Sodium Na(s) $ Na+(aq) + e–
Magnesium Mg(s) $ Mg2+(aq) + 2e–
Aluminum Al(s) $ Al3+(aq) + 3e–

Ease of oxidation increases

Manganese Mn(s) $ Mn2+(aq) + 2e–
Zinc Zn(s) $ Zn2+(aq) + 2e–
Chromium Cr(s) $ Cr3+(aq) + 3e–
Iron Fe(s) $ Fe2+(aq) + 2e–
Cobalt Co(s) $ Co2+(aq) + 2e–
Nickel Ni(s) $ Ni2+(aq) + 2e–
Tin Sn(s) $ Sn2+(aq) + 2e–
Lead Pb(s) $ Pb2+(aq) + 2e–
Hydrogen H2(g) $ 2 H+(aq) + 2e–
Copper Cu(s) $ Cu2+(aq) + 2e–
Silver Ag(s) $ Ag+(aq) + e–
Mercury Hg(l) $ Hg2+(aq) + 2e–
Platinum Pt(s) $ Pt2+(aq) + 2e–
Gold Au(s) $ Au3+(aq) + 3e–

How is the reactivity of a metal with a given metal ion summarized in the Activity Series?

How does their placement in the series allow you to predict whether a reaction will, or will
not, occur?

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 Investigation of Aqueous Reactions

Now use the activity series table and predict whether the following reactions take place.
Write either N.R. (no reaction) or, if a reaction will occur, the net ionic equation. Confirm
your predictions with your TA.

Al(s) + Zn(NO3)2 $

Sn(s) + Cr(NO3)3 $

H+(aq) + Zn(s) $

Part C. Your Own Investigation of Metals and Metal Ions

Put away your computer and get ready for your own investigation.

You are provided with the following resources:

24-well well plate Cu, Zn, and Mg turnings
Microspatula 0.1 M CuSO4
3 M HCl(aq) 1 M ZnSO4
3 M NaOH(aq) 0.1 M Mg(NO3)2
Test the reactivity of the metals in each metal ion solution. You can use the well plate and
perform several tests at the same time. Simply add a piece of metal to each well, and fill the
well about half full with the metal ion solution. You may dispense directly from the reagent
bottles.

Use the data table you prepared for Part C to record your predictions and observa-
tions. Making your grid consistent with your well plate is advisable.

Before starting the experiment predict what will happen. Then observe what happens ini-
tially and after 5 minutes.

In the fourth column of your well plate you have space available to test the reactivity of
each metal with an acid. Recall that H+(aq) is listed on the activity series. Predict whether
there will be an oxidation–reduction reaction between each metal and the acid, and then
perform the appropriate tests.

Your Teaching Assistant will provide you with a well plate diagram. It may be helpful to
place it under your well plate and label particular rows or columns. You should not use this
diagram for any other purpose.

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 ACT

List the cases (if any) where your prediction and the experimental result differed. If they
are different, describe both what you predicted and what actually occurred.

Write the overall chemical equation for the reaction of one of the metals with the acid HCl.
Identify the reducing agent and the oxidizing agent in the reaction.

Part D.
In your well plate you have space available to test the reactivity of Mg metal and Mg2+ with
acids, bases, or an acid combined with a base. In this portion of the activity you must con-
sider the possibility for either a precipitation reaction or an oxidation–reduction reaction.
Recall, based on solubility guidelines, it is possible for a precipitate to form when OH–(aq)
is added. Based on the activity series, it is possible an oxidation–reduction reaction occurs
when H+(aq) is present.

Predict whether there will be an oxidation–reduction reaction, precipitation reaction, or no

reaction between the metal or the metal ion when combined with 3 M HCl (the acid), or
3 M NaOH (the base).
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 Investigation of Aqueous Reactions

Predictions

Oxidation–reduction,
Predicted Net Ionic
Combination precipitation, or no
Equation.
reaction?
Mg(s) + 3 M HCl $

Mg(s) + 3 M NaOH $

Mg(NO3)2(s) + 3 M HCl $

Mg(NO3)2(s) + 3 M NaOH $

Now predict what will happen when 200 mL of 3.0 M NaOH and 100 mL of 3.0 M HCl are
combined (your TA will do this for the whole class; take only 10 mL of the prepared
solution)….

200 mL of 3.0 M 100 mL of 3.0 M

+ $
NaOH HCl

And predict what will happen when Mg(s) or Mg(NO3)2(aq) are added to this combined
solution.

Addition of Mg(s):

Addition of Mg(NO3)2(aq):

TEST YOUR PREDICTIONS—Record your observations in your notebook, use the

Data Table you prepared for Part D

List the cases (if any) where your prediction and the experimental result differed. If they
are different, describe both what you predicted and what actually occurred.

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 ACT

Waste Disposal
All unused solutions should be collected in the inorganic waste beakers in the hood upon
completion of the experiment. Place your used well plate in the inorganic waste hood, your
TA will dispose of the contents of your well plate for you. You must fill in the waste dispos-
al sheet. Your lab instructor will dispose of the total volume in the appropriate container.

Points to Consider
• Did you notice any trends? Do these trends agree with what you have been discussing
in lecture? Are there any periodic trends that correlate to the placement of these metals
on the periodic table?
• Describe how you ranked the metals and metal solutions from most reactive to the least
reactive.
• Were there any cases where your predictions or results from the simulation didn’t
match your experimental results?
• How is the reactivity of a metal summarized in the activity series? How does the place-
ment of a metal in the series allow you to predict whether a reaction will, or will not,
occur?

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 Data to Collect

Investigation of Aqueous Reactions

Part C.

Identity of metal salt: Identity of metal salt: Identity of metal salt: Reactivity with
H+(aq)
___________ ___________ ___________

Prediction: Prediction: Prediction: Prediction:

Initial observation: Initial observation: Initial observation: Initial observation:

_______
metal
After 5 mins: After 5 mins: After 5 mins: After 5 mins:

Prediction: Prediction: Prediction: Prediction:

Initial observation: Initial observation: Initial observation: Initial observation:

_______
metal
5 mins: 5 mins: 5 mins: 5 mins:

Prediction: Prediction: Prediction: Prediction:

Initial observation: Initial observation: Initial observation: Initial observation:

_______
metal
5 mins: 5 mins: 5 mins: 5 mins:

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 ACT Data to Collect

Part D.
3 M HCl 3 M NaOH Combined Solution
Prediction: Prediction: Prediction:

Initial observation: Initial observation: Initial observation:

Mg

After 5 mins: After 5 mins: After 5 mins:

Prediction: Prediction: Prediction:

Initial: Initial: Initial:

Mg2+

5 mins: 5 mins: 5 mins:

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