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SIM 5

Subject:

Chemistry

Type of Lesson:

Laboratory Activity

Grade:

10

CSEC OBJ:

Students should be able to determine


the order of reactivity of metals

Term:

UNIT:

Reactivity of Metals

Duration:

80 minutes

Lesson:

Week:

Objectives
As a result of this lesson, you will be able to:
1)
2)
3)
4)

discuss the reactivity of metals.


describe the chemical properties of metals.
investigate the effect of heat on the carbonates of metals.
investigate the effect of heat on the nitrates of the metals.

Prerequisite Student Knowledge


You should be familiar with:
1) carbonates
2) nitrates
3) metals
Important Points
Important points in this lesson:
1) When carbonates are heated, some of them decompose into other
products while others are stable to heat. This is dependent on the
metals position in the reactivity series.
2) When nitrates are heated they decompose to form different
products depending on the position of the metal in the reactivity
series
Key Terms
Decompose

Carbonate

Student Instructional Material

Nitrate

Challenge Areas
Copper (II) carbonate, calcium carbonate and zinc carbonate
decompose when heated. The more reactive the metal, the higher the
temperature needed for the decomposition. What is the correct order
for their decomposition (from highest temperature to lowest)?

Equipment/Material Needed
Copper (II) carbonate, calcium carbonate, zinc carbonate, sodium
carbonate, lead carbonate, magnesium nitrate, silver nitrate, sodium
nitrate, lead nitrate and zinc nitrate, test tubes, test tube holder, Bunsen
burner, splint, lime water, blue litmus paper, teat dropper

Note to Student
Great care must be given to mastering the techniques of collecting
gases and testing for them before this investigation is carried out.
You may use your textbook to revisit these techniques.

Introduction
1) Introductory Activity
a. Look at the reactivity series to identify the reactive metals,
the moderately reactive ones and the unreactive metals.
Notes
The unreactive
metals are found
at the bottom of
the series while
the reactive ones
are at the top.

i. Which gas is likely to be released on decomposition


of a carbonate? Your teacher will show you how to
collect and test this gas. Your teacher will discuss
the possible gases that are likely to be released on
the decomposition of a nitrate. You will be shown
how to collect and test for these gases.

Student Instructional Material

Body of Lesson
1) Experimental Investigation- Decomposition of carbonates on
heating.
a. You will be placed in pairs. The carbonates to be investigated
are: calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lead carbonate,
copper (II) carbonate, zinc carbonate.
b. Heat a small amount of each carbonate in a test tube. Observe
each reaction closely for any changes and how quickly these
changes occur. Test for any gases liberated.
2) Experimental Investigation- Decomposition of nitrates on
heating.
a. The procedure above will be repeated using nitrates instead of
carbonates. The nitrates to be investigated are: sodium nitrate,
magnesium nitrate, zinc nitrate, lead nitrate and silver nitrate.
i.

Heat a small amount of each nitrate is heated in a


test tube. Observe each reaction closely for any
changes and how quickly these changes occur. Test
for any gases liberated.

Closure
In-Class Assignments
1) Tabulate your results. Write balanced equations for each reaction.

2) Based on the observations, arrange the metals in decreasing order


of reactivity.
Out-of-Class Assignment
1) Which carbonate decomposes on heating to give a black solid and
a colourless gas?

2) The carbonate of metal X is a white solid. It decomposes when


heated. Carbon dioxide and a yellow solid are formed. What is
metal X?

Student Instructional Material

Supplemental
Glossary of Terms
decompose

Splitting a compound into simpler substances by


heating

carbonate

A salt derived from carbonic acid (carbon


dioxide dissolved in water)

nitrate

A salt derived from nitric acid

CSEC Questions
1) When lead nitrate is heated, it decomposes to give lead (II) oxide,
nitrogen dioxide and oxygen.
a.
Write a balanced equation for the action of heat on
lead nitrate.
b.
How would you know that nitrogen dioxide is given
off in the reaction?
c.
How do the products obtained upon heating lead
nitrate differ from those obtained upon heating
sodium nitrate?
(2001)
2. Write balanced equations for the action of heat on (a) copper (II)
nitrate and b) copper (II) carbonate.
(2002)

Recommended Materials
http://www.crescent.edu.sg/crezlab/webpages/ThermalDecomposition
2.htm
http://www.docbrown.info/page03/Reactivity.htm

Bibliography
Tindale Anne (1998), Chemistry: A concise revision course for CXC,
Stanley Thornes Ltd.
Holderness & Lambert (1992), A New Certificate Chemistry 8th
edition, Heinemann Educational Books

Student Instructional Material

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