Copper does not react with hydrochloric acid. Image credit fphoto.com
ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: Experiment: The reaction of metals with dilute Hydrochloric acid
Aim: To examine the reactivity of metals with dilute hydrochloric acid
Materials: 5 test tubes, dilute hydrochloric acid, magnesium, zinc, iron, lead, copper
Method
- Place about 5cm depth of the acid in each of the five test tubes
- Place a small piece of each of the three metals above. About 3 mm long in each test tube
- Note the evolution of hydrogen bubbles and compare the different rates at which the bubbles are formed
- Make a table of results noting whether the evolution of hydrogen bubbles was rapid, slow, very slow or none apparent
Results and Observations
| Metal | Rate of reaction |
|---|---|
| Magnesium | Rapid evolution of bubbles |
| Zinc | Fast evolution of bubbles |
| Lead | Slow evolution of bubbles |
| Copper | None apparent |
Conclusion
- The most reactive metals like magnesium and zinc reacted much more quickly with dilute acid
- Copper hardily reacts with dilute acids
To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page.
