Determining the position of unknown element X in the Reactivity Series

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Aim

To determine the position of Element X in the reactivity series

Hypothesis

The reactivity series is the arrangement of elements according to their reactivity. The most reactive element is placed at the top and the least reactive at the bottom. The elements at the top can displace elements below them from their compounds

In the experiment, element X will either have elements more reactive or less reactive or both. Based on this, the position of the unknown element can be found out.

Assuming that the element given is not potassium, then potassium will displace X from its compound; thus we can say that potassium is more reactive than X; and X is below potassium in the reactivity series. Assuming that copper is less reactive than X; X will displace copper from its compound. This means that X is higher than copper in the reactivity series than copper.

In the experiment, the enthalpy (temperature) change will also show how reactive element X is. For example if X is right above Zinc in the reactivity series i.e. element X is aluminium, then the temperature difference between reacting Al with CuSO4 will be more than reacting Al with ZnSO4 or FeSO4. This is because as the distance (number of elements in between between) the elements increases there is more difference in the reactivity level of the selected elements.

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When ∆H (∆Heat) is +ve, the reaction taking place is exothermic and when ∆H is –ve, the reaction will be endothermic. When the number of element between the elements reacting is more, then ∆H of the reaction will also be more. For example if we take Zinc as element X, then Zinc is more reactive than Lead; but Zinc is even more reactive than Copper. This is because Copper is further below Lead in the reactivity series. Thus a reaction between Zinc and a Copper compound will be more reactive (& will have a higher ∆H) than a reaction between ...

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