OBJECTIVES

1. To observe and predict products of oxidation reaction reactions.

2. To determine the relative reactivity of a series of metallic elements.

MATERIAL
CHEMICALS
Copper metal, Magnesium ribbon, Zinc metal, Steel wool, 0.1 M CuSO 4 , 3 M
H2SO4 acid, 0.1 M ZnSO4 , 0.01 M KMnO4 , 0.01 M K2Cr2O4 , 0.1 M Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2 ,
0.1 M K2C2O4 , 6 M H2SO4 acid, deionised water
APPARATUS
Test tubes, dropper, beakers, lighted splint and waste container
METHODS
PART A
Metals as reducing agents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

4 test tubes of 15 ml were labelled.

1 cm2 piece of copper metal was put into first test tube
2 cm of magnesium ribbon was put into second test tube
1 cm2 of zinc metal was put into third test tube
A small ball steel wool into fourth test tube
A few millimetres f 0.1 M CuSO4 was added to each test tube. (Balanced
the equation if there is reaction. Wrote no reaction if no reaction occur)
7. The used metal squares were discarded into waste container
8. The test tubes were rinsed with deionised water. The new metal squares
were tested as before by using 3 M H2SO4 acid.
9. A lighted splint was held over any test tubes which bubbling occurred.
10.The test tubes were cleaned. Each metal square was tested with the same
way as before with 0.1 M ZnSO4 solution.
PART B
Redox Reactions
1. 4 small test tubes of 3 ml were cleaned and labelled.
2. 1 ml of each solution listed as Solution X in Table 5.1 were added into test
tubes
3. 1 ml of solution Y was slowly added to each test tube. The permanent
changes were observed.
4. The observations of any mixtures that showed any reaction were recorded
5. Balanced equations were recorded. Oxidizing agents were underlined.
6. Test tubes were disposed into waste container and rinsed with tap water.

RESULTS

Test tubes no.

0.1 M CuSo4

3 M H2SO4

0.1 M ZnSO4

NR

NR

NR

1. Cu

2. Mg

Mg is
completely
corrosive
Bubble
produced

3. Zn

Metal colour
changes from
silver to black

4. Steel wool

Metal
colour
changes
from silver
to brown
Metal
corroded

Balanced Equation

CuSO4 + Cu
CuSO4 + Mg
CuSO4 + Zn
CuSO4 + Fe

NR
MgSO4 + Cu
ZnSO4 + Cu
FeSO4 + Cu

H2SO4 + Cu
H2SO4 + Mg
H2SO4 + Zn

CuSO4 + H2
MgSO4 + H2
ZnSO4 + H2

Pop sound
produced.
Mg
completely
dissolve in
H2SO4
solution
Black
precipitate
was
formed
Solutions
colour
change
from
colourless
to grey
The
solution
become
hot
Metal
colour
change
from silver
to black
Bubble
produced

Only little
Mg is
corroded
Bubble
produced

NR

NR

H2SO4 + Fe

FeSO4 + H2

ZnSO4 +
ZnSO4 +
ZnSO4 +
ZnSO4 +

CuSO4 + Zn
MgSO4 + Zn
NR
FeSO4 + Zn

From
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Cu
Mg
Zn
Fe

the best to the poorest reducing agent

Magnesium, Mg
Zinc, Zn
Iron (II), Fe
Copper, Cu

PART B
Observations and redox reaction
Test tubes

1.

2.

3.

4.

Solution X
0.01 M of KMnO4
+
2 drops of 6 M
H2SO4
0.01 M of KMnO4
+
2 drops of 6 M
H2SO4
0.01 M of K2C2O4
+
2 drops of 6 M
H2SO4
0.01 M of K2C2O4
+
2 drops of 6 M
H2SO4

( 0.1 M Fe(NH4)2
(SO4)

0.1 M K2C2O4

Colour changes
from purple to
brown
Colour changes
from purple to
colourless
Colour changes
from orange to pale
yellow

NR