Science Worksheet Solutions
1. Practical Observations
(a) How do you know a reaction is happening in the containers?
You know a reaction is happening if you observe signs like bubbling, temperature change, color
change, or formation of a solid (precipitate).
(b) What do the bubbles in the container mean is being produced in the reaction?
The bubbles indicate that a gas is being produced, most likely hydrogen gas if it's a reaction
involving acids and metals.
(c) Which is the most reactive metal? How do you know?
The most reactive metal is the one that produces the most bubbles (gas) the quickest.
(d) Rank the containers in order of reactivity - highest first.
Rank the metals based on how quickly or vigorously they produce bubbles. For example, if metal A
produces bubbles the fastest, it is the most reactive.
(e) Describe one way to ensure the experiment is fair.
Ensure all conditions are kept the same, such as using the same concentration of acid, the same
temperature, and equal amounts of metals.
(f) Write a word equation for each reaction.
- Magnesium + hydrochloric acid -> magnesium chloride + hydrogen
- Zinc + sulfuric acid -> zinc sulfate + hydrogen
- Iron + nitric acid -> iron nitrate + hydrogen
(g) Describe a test to prove hydrogen is being produced.
You can test for hydrogen gas by using a lit splint near the mouth of the container. If hydrogen is
present, you will hear a "pop" sound.
2. Complete the word equations
(a) Lithium + nitric acid -> lithium nitrate + hydrogen
(b) Sodium + sulfuric acid -> sodium sulfate + hydrogen
(c) Lead + hydrochloric acid -> hydrogen + lead chloride
3. Blast Furnace
(i) What enters the blast furnace at X?
Iron ore, coke (carbon), and limestone.
(ii) What leaves the blast furnace at Y?
Molten iron and slag.
(b) Why does carbon displace iron from iron oxide?
Carbon displaces iron because it is more reactive, so it reduces iron oxide to form iron and carbon
dioxide.
(c) Which metals can be displaced from their ore using carbon?
Metals below carbon in the reactivity series, such as zinc, lead, and iron.
(d) Which metals cannot be displaced from their ore using carbon?
Metals above carbon in the reactivity series, such as aluminum and potassium.
4. Reactivity Series Experiment
Complete the table based on observations of metal reactivity with acids or water.
5. Preparing Crystals of Copper Sulfate
(a) List the equipment needed:
- Beaker
- Copper oxide
- Sulfuric acid
- Filter funnel
- Filter paper
- Evaporating dish
- Bunsen burner
(b) Why was the mixture filtered?
To remove any excess solid copper oxide that has not reacted with the acid.
(c) Steps to make copper chloride:
1. Add copper oxide to hydrochloric acid.
2. Heat the mixture gently to ensure the reaction occurs.
3. Filter out any unreacted copper oxide and evaporate the solution to obtain copper chloride
crystals.
(d) Word equation for the reaction to make copper chloride from copper oxide:
Copper oxide + hydrochloric acid -> copper chloride + water
(e) Why isn't copper used to make copper chloride directly with dilute hydrochloric acid?
Copper is unreactive with dilute acids, so it does not easily react with hydrochloric acid.
(f) Word equation for copper oxide and nitric acid reaction:
Copper oxide + nitric acid -> copper nitrate + water
6. Displacement and Welding Rails
(a) Discuss the utility of displacing iron from iron oxide to weld rails.
This reaction (thermite reaction) is used in welding because it produces molten iron, which can be
used to join railway tracks quickly and effectively due to the high temperature involved.
(b) Word equation for this reaction:
Iron oxide + aluminum -> iron + aluminum oxide
(c) What provides energy for the thermite reaction?
A magnesium ribbon or similar material is used to ignite the thermite reaction, providing the
necessary activation energy.