Oshwal Academy Nairobi Junior High

Department of Chemistry
Year 9 practical work sheet.
The following metals are provided for use in this experiment: Lithium, Sodium,
Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Copper, Zinc and Iron.
Exercise 1
Your teacher will use a knife to cut the metals: Lithium, Sodium and Potassium
a) Were the metals easy or hard to cut?

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b) What was the appearance of the metals when they were freshly cut?

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c) What happened to the metals after standing for some time (May be 5 minutes)?
Suggest a reason for this.
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Exercise 2
Your teacher will use a knife to cut small piece of each metal and place in a trough of
cold water: Lithium, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium
a) What observations did you make when small piece of each metal was placed on
water?

Lithium:
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Sodium:
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Potassium:
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Calcium:
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Magnesium:
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b) Arrange these metals from the most reactive to the least reactive:

Most reactive ________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________
 Least reactive ________________________
Exercise 3
In groups, measure a small volume of dilute hydrochloric acid (2cm3) and place in a
test, then use a spatula to add a small amount of magnesium and invert another test
tube over it. Collect the gas and after 1 minute test the gas collected with a lit splint.
Repeat these steps with Calcium, Copper, Zinc and Iron

a) What observations did you make?

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b) Can this help you to arrange these metals from the most reactive to the least
reactive?

Most reactive ________________________

________________________

________________________

Least reactive ________________________

c) Suggest a reason why the reaction of hydrochloric acid with Lithium, Sodium and
Potassium was not attempted?

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Can you now arrange all the metals in this experiment from the most reactive to
the least reactive?

Most reactive ________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

________________________

Least reactive ________________________

d) Suggest a name given to this arrangement of metals from the most reactive to
the least reactive.
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