Question 59
It can be difficult to see how some metals react with water. This is because they may be covered in a surface layer of metal oxide if they have already reacted with the oxygen in the air. In the investigations, you may need to use sandpaper to clean the surface of the metals so that the metal can come in direct contact with the water.
You will need:
- test tubes
- test-tube rack
- sandpaper
- forceps
- small pieces of metals such as magnesium, zinc, iron and copper
Method
1 Take a small piece of one of the metals you have been given. Use sandpaper to clean the surface of the metal.
2 Place the metal into a test tube of water.
3 Record your observations in a table and explain what happened. You may need to leave the metal to react for some time. If nothing happens, you could try testing the metal again, this time using hot water.
4 Repeat steps 1–3 for each of the other metals you have been given.
You will need:
- test tubes
- test-tube rack
- sandpaper
- forceps
- small pieces of metals such as magnesium, zinc, iron and copper
Method
1 Take a small piece of one of the metals you have been given. Use sandpaper to clean the surface of the metal.
2 Place the metal into a test tube of water.
3 Record your observations in a table and explain what happened. You may need to leave the metal to react for some time. If nothing happens, you could try testing the metal again, this time using hot water.
4 Repeat steps 1–3 for each of the other metals you have been given.
