A student investigated the temperature change in displacement reactions between metals and copper sulfate solution. The table below shows the student’s results. The temperature change depends on the reactivity of the metal. The student’s results are used to place copper, iron, magnesium and zinc in order of their reactivity. Describe a method to find the position of an unknown metal in thisreactivity series. Your method should give valid results. – 6152

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1. I would add each metal (including the unknown one) to hydrochloric acid and watch how fast it reacts (bubbling or fizzing).

   Or I could measure the temperature change during the reaction.

   The faster the reaction or higher the temperature rise, the more reactive the metal is.

   I’d keep everything the same by using the same amount and concentration of acid, the same mass of metal, and make sure the acid starts at the same temperature each time.

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