Oxidation-Reduction Activity Series

Name: Hamad Naji

Date: 8th April, 2019
 Oxidation-Reduction Activity Series
Introduction:
Oxidation is loss of one or more electrons by any atom or molecules, and reduction is define as
gain of one or more electrons by any atom or molecules. The oxidation-reduction reaction also
called redox reaction, any reaction in which involvement of transfer of electrons from one atom to
other atom or one molecule to another molecule. The oxidation-reduction reaction has oxidation
number or state of each atoms to track the electrons on each atom oxidation number is necessary.
Elemental state of atoms has zero oxidation is 0, where is monoatomic has zero oxidation number.
It will help to balance the chemical equation, for that oxidation state is required. When the simple
displacement reaction occurs it replace the one compound to the other. The spectator ion is that
kin of ion which is present on reactant side and as well as on the product side but don’t bother in
each side.

Exercise 1: Describing an Oxidation-Reduction

Reaction
Exercise 1:
For the activity 1 we need to gather the required materials listed in the materials heading in the
experimental file. We need to wear protective gear before the activity and separate the test tube,
AgNo3 and Cu foil with plastic forceps. After the gathering we have to observe the outer
appearance of the items we gathers. Holding the test tube and adding 2 piece of Cu in the test tube.
Adding the entire liquid AgNO3 In the test tube and dispose the empty bottle. Record the
observation in the table 1 after 1 minute. Again record the observation in the table 1 after 30
minutes. After that identification of oxidizing agent and reducing agent and spectator ion and write
the to the table 1.
Exercise 2:
For the activity 2 bring the 24 well plate and make columns on and paper with number. Place the
well plate on that paper with numbering so that we could identify the each well with its number.
Putting small piece of copper in the A1 and A2 well and adding 15 drops of Pb(NO3)2 in the A1
and see the reaction and write the observation after 1 minutes first and after 30 minutes. After that
add 15 drops of Zn(NO3)2 in the A2 well and see the reaction after 1 minutes and after 30 minutes
record both observation in the table. After that took their piece of copper and scrape with knife.
Placing the piece in the B1 and B2 and adding 15 drops of CuSO4 and record the observation in 1
minute and then after 30 minutes. Keeping adding 15 drops of Zn(NO3)2 and see observation.

Data Table 1. Redox Reaction of Copper and Silver Nitrate.

Initial observations before
Copper look like solid and shiny and AgNO3 is colorless liquid.
beginning

At the start there was nothing change but after sometime the
Observations
copper color turn black color.

Observations after 30
Copper disappear
minutes

Chemical equation 𝐶𝑢 (𝑠) + 2𝐴𝑔𝑁𝑂3 (𝑎𝑞) − − 𝐶𝑢(𝑁𝑂3)2 (𝑎𝑞) + 2𝐴𝑔 (𝑠)

Element that is oxidized Copper(Cu)

Element that is reduced Silver(Ag)

Spectator ion None

Oxidizing agent Copper(Cu)

Reducing agent Silver(Ag)

Questions
A. Define oxidation, reduction, and oxidation number. Describe how oxidation and reduction
affect the oxidation number of an element.
When loss of electrons occurred in the any substance, atom in any chemical reaction is called
oxidation. When there is gain of electron in any chemical reaction it is called reduction.
Oxidation number each atoms has its own charge number which is called oxidation number.
B. Define oxidizing agent, reducing agent, and spectator ion.
Oxidizing agent donate the electrons and reduce the other and reducing agent loss electron
and oxidize the other atom or ion. Spectator ion is such ion that is present on products and
won’t change the properties.
C. In the reaction of copper and silver nitrate, a new substance appeared in the test tube. Describe
the physical appearance of the substance and identify its chemical formula.
Cu (NO3)2 and greyish in color.
D. Given an activity series in which the most active metals are at the top of the list and the least
active metals are at the bottom of the list, would copper be listed above silver or would silver
be listed above copper? Support your answer with data from Data Table 1.
Copper is active and lose ,more electrons
E. Solid copper sulfide and silver nitrate react to form copper (II) nitrate and solid silver sulfide.
Write a balanced chemical equation that describes the reaction. Identify the oxidation number
of each element in the reaction. (You do not need to include the total contribution of charge.)
Is this reaction a redox reaction or a non-redox reaction? Explain your answer.
𝑅𝑒𝑑𝑜𝑥 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝐶𝑢0 (𝑠) + 2𝐴𝑔 + 1𝑁𝑂3(−1) (𝑎𝑞) − − 𝐶𝑢2 + (𝑁𝑂3(−1))2 (𝑎𝑞) + 2𝐴𝑔0 (𝑠)
Exercise 2: Creating an Activity Series
Data Table 2. Redox Reactions of Copper, Lead, and Zinc.

Solid Well
Solution Immediate observations 30 Minute Observations
metal ID

Pb(NO3)
A1 - -
2
Cu
Zn(NO3)
A2 - -
2

B1 CuSO4 Color dark red -

Pb
Zn(NO3)
B2 - Rusting
2

C1 CuSO4 Black color Scatter pieces of zn

Zn
Pb(NO3)
C2 Scatter pieces Crystallization occur
2

Data Table 3. Potential Redox Reactions and Chemical Equations.

Metal and Reaction

Chemical Equation
Metallic Solution Occurred?

Cu + Pb(NO3)2 No -
Cu + Zn(NO3)2 No -

Pb + CuSO4 Yes Pb (s) + CuSO4 (aq) - PbSO4 (aq) + Cu (s)

Pb + Zn(NO3)2 No -

Zn + CuSO4 Yes Zn (s) + CuSO4 (aq) - Cu (s) + ZnSO4 (aq)

Zn (s) + Pb(NO3)2 (aq) - Zn(NO3)2 (aq) +

Zn + Pb(NO3)2 Yes
Pb(s)
Questions
A. List each of the metals tested in Exercise 2. Indicate the oxidation number when each element
is pure and the oxidation number when each element is in a compound.
𝐶𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 = 0, +2
𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑑 = +4, +2
𝑍𝑖𝑛𝑐 = +2, +4
B. Which of the metals in Exercise 2 was the strongest oxidizing agent? Was there an instance
when this metal also acted as a reducing agent? Explain your answer using data from Data
Table 3.
Copper
C. Which of the metals in Exercise 2 was the strongest reducing agent? Was there an instance
when this metal also acted as an oxidizing agent? Explain your answer using data from Data
Table 3.
Zinc
D. How does ease of oxidation correlate with activity? Do highly active metals tend to donate
electrons or accept electrons from other metals?
More metal activity more oxidation.
E. Create an activity series for copper, lead, and zinc. Place the most active metal at the top of
the list.
𝑍𝑖𝑛𝑐, 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑑, 𝐶𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟