Farmer 2B

PERIODICITY LAB

Andrew Farmer
Block 2B
Partner: Sarah McDermott

ABSTRACT

Elements are arranged on the periodic table in a way that expresses their trends in

chemical reactivity. Elements are not only organized by increasing atomic number! This lab

produces results that define the periodic trends of chemical reactivity. We test magnesium,

calcium, and aluminum, and relate their reactions with water and hydrochloric acid to their

positions on the periodic table. We also determine the effect of atomic structure on chemical

reactivity and periodicity. My hypothesis was proven to be correct. This experiment includes the

use of liquids, reactive metals, hydrochloric acid, and flames. Safety precautions should be taken.
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\INTRODUCTION

The term “periodicity” refers to the general trends that elements follow regarding their

location on the Periodic Table. These trends involve an element’s location in a group as well as a

period. There are many periodic trends, such as atomic radius and ionization energy, but this

experiment involves the periodic trends of chemical reactivity. An element’s chemical reactivity

includes whether or not a substance reacts and how fast it reacts, especially depending on

temperature. This experiment includes observing reactions of given elements and relating them

to their location on the periodic table based off the trends of periodicity.

For metals, elements have a higher chemical reactivity when moving down a group. As

the energy level increases, the valence electrons are farther away from the positively charged

protons in the nucleus. Moving down a group, the electrons become less pulled by the force of

the nucleus and can be removed from the atom easier. Moving right, across a period, elements

decrease in chemical reactivity. The same energy level is maintained, but the number of protons

increases, which pulls the electrons closer toward the nucleus, making the atomic radius smaller.

These electrons are harder to remove from the atom.

I hypothesize that aluminum will react the slowest because it is in group 3A. Magnesium

will react faster than aluminum because it is in group 2A. Calcium will react even faster than

magnesium because it is in group 2A and it has a higher energy level.

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MATERIALS & METHODS

In this experiment, materials that I used were small samples of calcium, magnesium, and

aluminum. I used hydrochloric acid (3M) and distilled water. I used a periodic table as a

reference, a spatula, two spot plates, one test tube rack, three test tubes, a thermometer, a grill

lighter, and one 2 mL transfer pipette. I also used vinegar in the cleaning process.

First I used the spatula to put a small amount of each metal sample in a corresponding

well in a spot plate. I arranged the samples in the wells identical to their location on the periodic

table: magnesium to the left of aluminum, with calcium under magnesium. I covered the calcium

pellet with distilled water and recorded my detailed observations, including the temperature I

read from the thermometer. I did the same with the magnesium ribbon and then with the

aluminum foil. Using a new spot plate for organizational purposes, I placed a small amount of

each metal sample in a corresponding well again, identical to their location on the periodic table.

Using a dropper, I placed several drops of hydrochloric acid (3M) into the well containing

calcium. I observed the reaction, and recorded the observations, including the temperature

change read from the thermometer, whose tip I put in the reaction. I did the same with

magnesium and aluminum. Lastly, I put both dirty spot plates to the side.

For the hydrogen gas combustion reaction test, I obtained three test tubes and a test tube

rack. I tilted each test tube and slid a small amount of each metal sample into a corresponding

test tube, being careful not to damage the glass. I put a full pipette of distilled water into the test

tube containing the calcium. Using a grill lighter, I placed a flame on the brim of the test tube

immediately after this and held it there until I heard a loud “pop.” I recorded any observations I

made. Then, I put several drops of hydrochloric acid into the test tube containing magnesium. I

placed a flame on the brim of the test tube until I heard a loud noise. I recorded my observations.
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I then added distilled water to the test tube containing aluminum. I held a flame on the brim of

the test tube and recorded my observations.

We wore splash-proof safety goggles throughout the whole experiment because flames,

liquids, and corrosive substances were being used. Anyone with long hair was required to tie

their hair back. Loose clothing and jewelry was removed by all. We were not provided with

gloves, so if our hands came into contact with hydrochloric acid, we were instructed to wash our

hands for 3 minutes with soap and water. Everyone washed their hands at the end of the lab.
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RESULTS

Group 2A Group 3A
n=3 Mg Al
H2O Test: H2O Test:
 tiny bubbles covering  no change
strip after 3 minutes
 no big reaction
HCl Test: HCl Test:
 small, white bubbles  reacted 8-10 minutes
 thin white “smoke” after applying HCl
coming from well  sizzling/bubbling
 sample moving around  ripped in half
 min: 20°C  moving around
 max: 32°C  aluminum still present-
NOT disintegrating
H2 Gas Test: H2 Gas Test:
 took longer to react  no change
 high-pitched pop
sound, but not as loud
as calcium

n=4 Ca
H2O Test:
 took 5-7 seconds to
start reaction
 large, clear bubbles
 very loud and sizzling
 min: 20°C
 max: 62°C
HCl Test:
 instant reaction after 2
seconds
 white and fizzy
 min: 20°C
 max: 60°C
H2 Gas Test:
 loud, high-pitched
“pop sound”
 constant flame above
the test tube
 bubbles rising up out
of test tube
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DISCUSSION

In the water test, aluminum did not react at all. Magnesium did not show a reaction, but

tiny bubbles coated the surface of the ribbon and rose to the surface. I believe that these bubbles

were hydrogen gas. The magnesium ion has two electrons to offer, which fits well with oxygen.

H2 is left. However, the aluminum is to the right of magnesium in period 3. They have the save

energy level (n=3), but aluminum has more protons and a greater nucleus. The nucleus has a

stronger pull on the outermost orbital of electrons, which causes the atom to have a smaller

atomic radius. These electrons are being held more tightly to the nucleus, which is why it did not

react with water.

Calcium reacted very quickly with water. Calcium is lower in group 2A which means it

has a greater atomic radius. Size matters! The electrons are farther away and therefore- not as

attracted to the nucleus as the electrons in magnesium atoms. Calcium’s electrons can be pulled

away faster and easier. In the gas test, a loud popping sound was made, and a constant flame sat

above the test tube, showing the combustion of H2 gas.

In the test with hydrochloric acid, the bubbles produced are also H2. Two chlorine atoms

together would “want” 2 electrons to have a noble gas configuration. Those electrons are offered

by elements in Group 2A, including magnesium and calcium. After the 2A elements and 2

chloride atoms bond, H2 is left to form bubbles. In the gas test with magnesium and HCl, the

same loud popping noise was made, displaying the combustion of hydrogen gas. Sarah and I

used hydrochloric acid (3M) which, according to online sources, means 3 mol of HCl per 1 liter

of distilled water. Another group had a higher concentration of HCl (I believe it was 5M). They

had bigger, longer reactions. The metal samples have more HCl molecules to react with and

therefore have more results.

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In the future, I would like to test alkali metals from group 1A. Based off the periodic

trends that were validated in this experiment, I hypothesize that sodium (group 1A, n=3) would

react faster with water than magnesium did because sodium is to the left of Mg in the period.

I suggest that we wear gloves next time. When transferring the spot plates to the sink for

cleaning, some hydrochloric acid had been splashed and came in contact with my lab partner’s

fingers. We followed the safety instructions and had her wash her hands for 3 minutes with soap,

but a simple precaution would be safer.

CONCLUSIONS

I hypothesized that aluminum would react the slowest because it is in group 3A.

Magnesium would react faster than aluminum because it is in group 2A. Calcium would react

even faster than magnesium because it is in group 2A and it has a higher energy level. My

hypothesis was supported, as were the periodic trends of chemical reactivity.

REFERENCES

 Clark, Jim. "Reactions of the Group 2 Elements with Water." ChemGuide.co, Feb. 2015.

Web. 11 Dec. 2015. <http://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/group2/reacth2o.html>.

 Kotz, John C., and Paul Treichel. Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity. South Melbourne,

Vic., Australia: Thomson-Brooks/Cole, 2003. Print.

 Science Department Faculty of BMHS. Periodicity Laboratory Activity- Handout. 2014-

2015. Print.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

POST-LAB QUESTIONS
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1. I could tell that hydrogen gas was being produced in some of the reactions due to the

loud, high-pitched popping noise. Then, I saw a flame above test tube, which was the

combustion of the hydrogen gas that had just previously been produced.
2. Calcium produced the largest amount of hydrogen gas. It made the loudest sound. Also,

the flame burned for a longer amount of time, which was being supplied by H2.
3. An element’s chemical reactivity is whether or not it reacts with another substance and

how fast it reacts. Based on this experiment, as you move down in a group, the elements

become more chemically reactive. As you move to the right in a period, the elements

become less chemically reactive.