Unit-I:(Chapter-3)
EXPERIMENT NO.4
Aim:
1. Observing the action of zinc, iron, copper and aluminium metals for the following salt solutions.
a. Zinc sulphate (ZnSO4)
b. Copper sulphate (CuSO4)
c. Ferrous sulphate (FeSO4)
d. Aluminium sulphate (Al2(SO4)3)
2. Arranging the metals Zinc, Copper, Iron, and Aluminium in the decreasing order of reactivity based on
the results obtained from the above.
Materials required:
1. Aluminium foil
2. Zinc granules
3. Copper turnings
4. Iron filings
5. Copper sulphate solution
6. Aluminium sulphate solution
7. Zinc sulphate solution
8. Four 50ml beakers
9. Test tube
10. Test tube stand
Theory:
Different metals have different reactivities with chemical reagents. The metals that form positive ions by
losing electrons more readily. A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from salt solution. Such
reactions are called displacement reactions. Consider an example, if a small amount of zinc is dipped in
copper sulphate solution, zinc is displaced from copper sulphate. The blue colour of copper sulphate fades
and colourless zinc sulphate solution is obtained. Therefore zinc is more reactive than copper.
• Aluminium has the ability to displace zinc, iron, copper from their respective salt solutions and
therefore is more reactive than them.
Reactions:
2Al(s) + 3ZnSO4(aq) –→ Al2(SO4)3 3Zn(s)
2Al(s) + 3FeSO4(aq) –→ Al2(SO4)3 3Fe(s)
2Al(s) + 3CuSO4(aq) –→ Al2(SO4)3 3Cu(s)
• Zinc has the ability to displace iron, copper from their respective salt solutions and therefore is more
reactive than them.
Reactions:
Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) –→ ZnSO4 (aq) + Cu(s)
Zn(s) + FeSO4(aq) –→ ZnSO4 (aq) + Fe(s)
Zn(s) + Al2(SO4)3(aq) –→ no reaction
Zn(s) + ZnSO4(aq) –→ no reaction
• Iron has the ability to displace copper from its salt solution and therefore is more reactive when
compared to Cu.
Reactions:
Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) –→ FeSO4 (aq) + Cu(s)
Fe(s) + FeSO4(aq) –→ no reaction
Fe(s) + Al2(SO4)3(aq) –→ no reaction
Fe(s) + ZnSO4(aq) –→ no reaction
No reaction occurs when any of the metals from zinc, iron, aluminium, and copper are placed in aqueous
solution of Al2(SO4)3.
Therefore from the above, we can conclude the reactivity of elements in the following order –
• Aluminium is more reactive than Zinc.
• Zinc is more reactive than Fe.
• Fe is more reactive than Cu.
Hence Aluminium is the most reactive and Copper being the least reactive metal.
The below table gives you an understanding of the colours exhibited by the metals and their salts:
Compound name Formula Colour
Aluminium sulphate Al2(SO4)3 Colourless
Copper sulphate CuSO4 Blue
Zinc sulphate ZnSO4 Colourless
Ferrous sulphate FeSO4 Light green
Copper Cu Reddish brown
Aluminium Al White
Zinc Zn Silver white
Iron Fe Blackish grey
OBSERVATION TABLE
write complete observation table ON BLANK PAGE
RESULT
The decreasing order of reactivity of metals is as follows: Al > Zn> Fe> Cu
Precautions
• Use small quantities of aluminium sulphate, iron sulphate, copper sulphate and copper sulphate
solutions for the experiment.
• Handle the chemicals with care and do not allow them to come in contact with your skin.
• Make sure you wash the test tubes after every observation.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after the experiment as the salt solutions are poisonous.
