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What factors affect how a metal reacts with an acid?
Apparatus
boiling tube
test tube rack
measuring cylinder (10 or 25 cm3)
stopclock
thermometer
piece of magnesium (1 cm long)
dilute hydrochloric acid
eye protection
Method
A Measure out 5 cm3 of hydrochloric acid and pour it into the boiling tube.
B Measure the temperature of the acid and write it down.
C Take the piece of magnesium. Drop it in the boiling tube and start timing.
D Watch what happens to the magnesium and the acid.
E When the reaction is finished, stop the clock. Note the time.
F Measure the temperature of the liquid in the tube.
Recording results
G Record your results in a suitable table.
H Calculate the temperature change.
Considering your results / conclusions
1 Write a word equation for the reaction that took place.
2 How could you tell:
a that a reaction was taking place?
b when the reaction had finished?
3 Why do you think the reaction finished? Use the evidence from the observations to explain what has been used up in the reaction.
4 How could you do a simple experiment to test your ideas? Think about how you might use another piece of magnesium or universal indicator solution. What results would you predict from this experiment?
Can you...
> make careful observations
> think up theories to explain observations
> explain how ideas lead to new predictions
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