04. Metals and acids

Acids react with metals and we will investigate this reaction.

When an acid reacts with a metal it creates a salt and hydrogen gas. This gas is seen as bubbles and so you can tell that the reaction is occurring by the presence of bubbles in the tube. The more bubbles, the more reactive the metal is.

Some metals are more reactive than others as explained by this website page from the BBC:

The following investigation will be carried out by the class:

Here is a video of the hydrogen 'squeaky pop' test:

Some more reactive metals reacting with acid (ones we cannot do in school!):

Salt names:

When an acid and a metal react together it produces a salt. The name of the salt can be worked out if the acid name and metal name are known.

The first part of the name comes from the metal used.

The second part of the name comes from the acid used. See the table below for examples.

Examples are:

Sodium + Hydrochloric acid --> Sodium chloride + Hydrogen

Calcium + Sulphuric acid --> Calcium sulphate + Hydrogen