Investigating the temperature change in the reaction between powdered zinc and copper sulphate.

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Chemistry Coursework

Investigating the temperature change in the reaction between powdered zinc and copper sulphate

The Reactivity Series

Through doing experiments involving water, air and acid, scientists have been able to place metals in a Reactivity Series. The Series is shown below:

                        Potassium

                        Sodium

                        Calcium

                        Magnesium

                        Aluminium

                        (carbon)

                        Zinc

                        Iron

                        Lead

                        (hydrogen)

                        Copper

                        Silver

                        Gold

                        Platinum

The Displacement Reaction        

Metals can displace other metals from their salts. A metal, which is higher in the Reactivity Series, will displace a metal, which is lower in the Series from a salt. As zinc is higher in the Reactivity Series I predict that it will displace copper from it’s salt.

Transition Metals

Zinc and copper are both transition metals and so are found between groups 2 and 3 of the Periodic Table. Transition metals have high melting points, high densities and colourful compounds. Copper (II) sulphate forms a blue compound. Transition metals and their ions are often used as catalysts. Vanadium (v) oxide is used as a catalyst in the manufacture of sulphuric acid.

Redox Reactions

Oxidation is the gain of oxygen or the loss of hydrogen or the loss of electrons. Reduction is the loss of oxygen or the gain of hydrogen or the gain of electrons. Since oxidation never occurs without reduction, we call these reactions redox reactions.

The copper gains electrons – this is reduction.

The zinc loses electrons – this is oxidation.

Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions

An exothermic reaction is one which gives out energy to the surroundings, usually in the form of heat and usually shown by a rise in temperature. An endothermic reaction is one which takes in energy from the surroundings, usually in the form of heat and usually shown by a rise in temperature. I know that the reaction between zinc and copper sulphate is an exothermic reaction. This can be shown using an energy level diagram.

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The products are at a lower energy than the reactants.The difference in height represents the energy given out in the reaction. The initial rise in the line represents the energy needed to break the bonds within the copper sulphate compound. This is the activation energy.


       I am going to investigate the temperature change in the reaction between powdered zinc and copper sulphate, which is an exothermic reaction. I am ...

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