Topic 9.

7: Acids, bases and salts

Hazard Code A

Reactions of acid with metal, metal oxides and metal carbonates

You are going to investigate the action of nitric acid on three different metals (magnesium, zinc and copper) as well as their oxides and carbonates. Requirements 1 x 250 cm beaker 3 3 3 x 100 cm beakers 100 cm dilute nitric acid 4 test tubes and a test tube rack Test tube holder Bunsen burner and heatproof mat Tripod and gauze Disposable pipette Small pieces of: Magnesium ribbon, Zinc sheet, Copper turnings One spatula measure of: Magnesium oxide, Zinc oxide, Copper(II) oxide Magnesium carbonate, Zinc carbonate, Copper(II) carbonate Lime water Safety Dilute nitric acid is corrosive take care to avoid spillages and clear up immediately by applying plenty of water before mopping up. Take care handling hot solutions and apparatus
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Procedure a) Pour about 100 cm of dilute nitric acid into your large beaker b) Use a pipette to fill three test tubes with about 2cm depth of dilute nitric acid c) Add a small sample of magnesium to one of the test tubes. Note any observations and test any gas given off with a lighted splint d) Repeat for the other two metals e) Rinse the test tubes and refill to about half full with dilute nitric acid f) Add a spatula measure of magnesium carbonate. If any gas is given off, collect a sample in a disposable pipette and bubble through 1cm depth of lime water in a test tube. Note any observations g) Repeat for the other two metal carbonates h) Heat the nitric acid remaining in your large beaker gently over a Bunsen burner do not allow to boil i) Carefully divide the hot nitric acid equally between the three small beakers j) To each beaker, add the tip of a small end of a spatula of one of the metal oxides and stir for a few minutes. Note any observations
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Results record your observations in the following table Substance Observation on adding to nitric acid Reaction products

Magnesium

Zinc

Copper

Magnesium carbonate

Zinc carbonate

Copper(II) carbonate

Magnesium oxide

Zinc oxide

Copper(II) oxide
Turn over for Analysis 11/05/2010

Analysis Answer the following questions in your exercise book using full sentences. Use your Data Sheet to help you answer these questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Which metals react with nitric acid and which do not? Given the additional information that lead does react with nitric acid and silver does not, write a general statement about the reaction of metals with acids. Write (a) a word equation and (b) a balanced chemical equation for the reaction of magnesium with nitric acid. Write a general statement about the reaction of metal carbonates with acids. Write (a) a word equation and (b) a balanced chemical equation with state symbols for the reaction of copper(II) carbonate with nitric acid. Write a general statement about the reaction of metal oxides with acids. Write (a) a word equation and (b) a balanced chemical equation with state symbols for the reaction of zinc oxide with nitric acid.