Chemical Reactions Lab

In this activity you will:

·  predict the products for each of the reactions.

·  make observations before and after the reactions take place.

·  identify the location of the products in each reaction.

Safety: Goggles and aprons are required throughout the laboratory activity.

Part1: The burning of Magnesium

Procedure:

1.  Obtain a 10-15 cm piece of Magnesium ribbon.

2.  Set-up and light a Bunsen burner.

3.  Hold onto one end of the magnesium ribbon with a pair of tongs.

4.  Ignite the magnesium by placing the end of the magnesium ribbon into the flame.
Caution: When the magnesium ignites it will release ultraviolet light which will harm your eyes. Do not stare directly into the light.

Observations:

Reactants / Products


Write a balanced equation for the burning of magnesium.

Part 2: Metal Reactivities

Procedure:

1.  Obtain a test tube rack and 6 test tubes.

2.  Add a few ml of Silver Nitrate to test tubes 1,and 3

3.  Add a few ml of Copper Nitrate to test tubes 2 and 4

4.  Add a few ml of Sulfuric Acid to test tubes 5 and 6

5.  Add a small piece of copper to each of the first two test tubes.

6.  Add a small piece of zinc to test tubes three through five.

7.  Add a small piece of Magnesium in test tube 6

Data Table: Place the letter R in the table below if you observe a reaction and NR if NO Reaction is observed.

Solution / Copper / Zinc / Magnesium
Silver Nitrate / X
Copper(II) Nitrate / X / X
Zinc Nitrate / X / X
Sulfuric Acid
(H2SO4) / X

For each reaction that occurred write a balanced equation and an observation statement that describes where each product of the reaction is in each test tube.