The Activity Series Predicting Single Displacement Reactions

THE ACTIVITY SERIES Not every single-displacement reaction will happen. The element on the reactant side must be more “active” than the one it could replace. Scientists have listed the order of activity of elements in THE ACTIVITY SERIES.

Let’s look at several reactions: Fe + CuSO 4  Cu + Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 Li + H 2 O  LiOH + H 2 Such experiments reveal trends. The activity series ranks the relative reactivity of metals. It allows us to predict if certain chemicals will undergo single displacement reactions when mixed: metals near the top are most reactive and will displace metals near the bottom. Q: Which of these will react? Fe+ CuSO 4  Ni+ NaCl  Li+ ZnCO 3  Al+ CuCl 2  Cu + Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 Yes, Fe is above Cu NR (no reaction) No, Ni is below Na Zn + Li 2 CO 3 Cu + AlCl 3 Yes, Al is above Cu K Na Li Ca Mg Al Zn Fe Ni Sn Pb H Cu Hg Ag Au Yes, Li is above Zn

H is the only nonmetal listed. H 2 may be displaced from acids or can be given off when a metal reacts with H 2 O (producing H 2 + metal hydroxide). The reaction with H 2 O depends on metal reactivity & water temp. Q: will Mg react with H 2 O? K Na Li Ca Mg Al Zn Fe Ni Sn Pb H Cu Hg Ag Au cold H 2 O hot H 2 O steam acid NR A: No for cold, yes if it is hot/steam Mg + H 2 O  H 2 + ZnCl 2 Complete these reactions: Al + H 2 O(steam)  Cu + H 2 O  Ca+ H 2 SO 4  Na+H 2 O  H 2 + Mg(OH) 2 H 2 + Al(OH) 3 H 2 + CaSO 4 H 2 + NaOH Q: Zn + HCl 

All metals will have a specific place in the activity series. For simplicity, only the most common metals are shown. The metals near the top of the activity series are more reactive because their valence electrons are more easily removed. On tests and exams the activity series may appear as K, Na, … Ag, Au; you must remember that K is reactive, Au is not. If the valence of a metal is not indicated in the question, use its most common valence (in bold on your periodic table) to determine the correct chemical formula. Other Activity Series Information

There is also an activity series for non- metals: The activity series ranks the relative reactivity of non-metals. It allows us to predict if certain chemicals will undergo single displacement reactions when mixed: non-metals near the top are most reactive and will displace non-metals near the bottom. Q: Which of these will react? I 2 + 2NaCl  F 2 + 2NaBr  NR (no reaction) No, I 2 is below Cl 2 Br 2 + 2NaF Yes, F 2 is above Br 2 F2F2 Cl 2 Br 2 I2I2

Oxides form via the addition of oxygen: K + O 2  K 2 O K Na Li Ca Mg Al Zn Fe Ni Sn Pb H Cu Hg Ag Au Oxides Oxides plus H 2 (with heat) will change to metal and H 2 O: NiO + H 2  Ni + H 2 O Oxides decompose with heat: HgO  Hg + O 2 The formation and behavior of oxides can also be predicted via the activity series. Complete these reactions: Ca + O 2  Au + O 2  Fe 2 O 3 + H 2  heat CaO Fe + H 2 O NR

1.On the next slide, place a check in the corner of boxes where you think reactions will take place. 2.Get a plastic spot plate. 3.Combine chemicals specified in the chart. Figure out a way to keep track of the chemicals. Use a ¼ scoop for solids (the less, the better). Use 1 squeeze of an eyedropper for solutions. 4.Write chemical equations for chemicals that reacted. Write NR where there was no reaction. 5.Dump used chemicals into the large funnel at the front of the room (use a squirt bottle to rinse remaining chemicals into the funnel). Wash the spot plate and glass rod very well. Dry & return. Activity series lab

MgCuZn Mg + AgNO 3  Ag+ Mg(NO 3 ) 2 NR Cu + AgNO 3  Ag+ Cu(NO 3 ) 2 Zn + AgNO 3  Ag+ Zn(NO 3 ) 2 AgNO 3 H 2 SO 4 Fe(NO 3 ) 3 CuCl 2 Mg + H 2 SO 4  H 2 + MgSO 4 Zn + H 2 SO 4  H 2 + ZnSO 4 Mg+ Fe(NO 3 ) 3  Fe+ Mg(NO 3 ) 2 Zn+ Fe(NO 3 ) 3  Fe+ Zn(NO 3 ) 2 Mg + CuCl 2  Cu + MgCl 2 Zn + CuCl 2  Cu + ZnCl 2