Reactivity Series - Zinc, Iron, Copper, Aluminium

In this article, we have discussed a step-by-step procedure to perform CBSE Class 10 Science Practicals experiment Reactivity Series. It will help you understand the reaction of metals such as zinc, aluminium, copper, and iron with aqueous salt solutions of aluminium sulphate, copper sulphate, ferrous sulphate, and zinc sulphate. Also, after performing the experiment Reactivity Series of Metals, you will be able to analyse the decreasing order of their reactivity.

Table of Content

• Aim
• Apparatus
• Theory
• Procedure
• Observation
• Result
• Precautions
• Viva Voce

Aim:

1. Observing the action of zinc, iron, copper and aluminium metals for the following salt solutions.
   1. Zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄)
   2. Copper sulphate (CuSO₄)
   3. Ferrous sulphate (FeSO₄)
   4. 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:

What is reactivity series?

Different metals have different reactivities with chemical reagents. The metals 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:

Experimental Setup:

Procedure:

1. Wash four beakers with distilled water, dry them and label them A, B, C, D.
2. Prepare 50 mL solution with 5% concentration by volume of ferrous sulphate, aluminium sulphate, copper sulphate, zinc sulphate.
3. Pour ZnSO₄ in beaker A, FeSO₄ in beaker B, CuSO₄ in beaker C, and add Al₂(SO₄)₃ in beaker D.
4. Wash four test tubes with distilled water and dry them.
5. Put them in a test tube stand and label them as A, B, C and D as shown in the figure above.
6. Take 10 mL of the saturated ferrous sulphate (FeSO₄), copper sulphate (CuSO₄), zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄), and aluminium sulphate (Al₂(SO₄)₃ ) in the test tube as shown in the figure.
7. Take metal strips of aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). Clean them with sandpaper before using them in the experiment.
8. Now dip one of the four metal strips in all the four test tubes and observe if any colour change occurs in all four test tubes.
9. Continue step 8 with other metal strips by dipping in fresh aqueous solutions of metals and see the displacement reaction.

Observation:

Result and Conclusion:

The decreasing order of reactivity of metals is as follows:

Precautions to be taken during the experiment:

• Use cleanly washed and dried apparatus for the experiment.
• Clean the metals before dipping them in the solution. You can clean it with sandpaper.
• 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.

Viva Voce:

1. Can you name two metals that are more reactive than iron?

Ans: Aluminium and zinc.

2. What happens when copper is added to iron (II) sulphate solution?

Ans: There is no reaction as copper is less reactive when compared to iron.

3. The colour of copper sulphate solution is ______.

Ans: Blue.

4. The colour of aluminium sulphate solution is ______.

Ans: Colourless.

5. The colour of iron sulphate solution is ______.

Ans: Green.