Help with the answer

Question

a string of magnesium, some copper turnings, and zinc granules. You would like to create a reactivity series that will list these metals in order of their chemical reactivity. 

Describe how you will carry out an investigation to create a reactivity series of these elements. Include the following in your answer:

1. What reagents will you need?
2. What equipment will be used?
3. How will you carry out the procedure?
4. Any safety requirements for this activity? 
5. What will be your expected results?

Answer 1

Reagents needed:

0.1 M HCl

MgSO4 solution

ZnSO4 solution

Equipment needed:

Beakers, safety glasses, Mg ribbon, Cu turning, Zn granules

Procedure:

Part 1: Add a few mg of each metal to several mls of HCl. Part 2: See below.

Safety equipment:

Gloves, safety glasses

Expected results:

Cu will not react, so you will not see any bubbles or color change

Both Mg and Zn will react and create bubbles (CO₂ gas )

Part 2: To determine order of reactivity between Mg and Zn, place a ribbon of Mg in a solution of ZnSO4. The Mg ribbon will begin to dissolve and Zn solid will precipitate out. If you do the reverse, i.e. place Zn granules in a solution of MgSO4, nothing will happen. This shows that Mg will displace Zn and Zn will not displace Mg, telling us that Mg is more reactive than Zn.

Mg(s) + ZnSO4(aq) ==> MgSO4(aq) + Zn(s)

Zn(s) + MgSO4(aq) ==> no reaction