3.3.2 - Laboratory Activity: Position of Carbon in the Reactivity Series

Laboratory Activity 3.3.2: Position of Carbon in the Reactivity Series

Aim: To determine the position of carbon in the reactivity series.
Problem statement: How to determine the position of carbon in the reactivity series?
Hypothesis: If carbon is more reactive than the metal, it can remove oxygen from its metal oxides.
Variable:

	»	Fixed variable : Carbon powder
	»	Manipulated variable : Metal oxides
	»	Responding variable : Ability to reduce

Material: » Carbon powder » Copper (II) oxide » Zinc oxide » Lead (II) oxide » Magnesium oxide » Aluminium oxide

Apparatus: » Crucible » Tripod stand » Spatula » Bunsen burner » Fireclay triangle

Procedure:

	►	The animation below shows the arrangement of the apparatus and the observation of the experiment.
	►	1. One spatula of lead (II) oxide is mixed with one spatula of carbon powder in a crucible and heated strongly on a fireclay triangle placed on a tripod stand. 2. The changes are noted and recorded. 3. The experiment is repeated by replacing lead (II) oxide with other metal oxide.

Observation:

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Mixture Observation Carbon + lead (II) oxide A reddish glow and shinning grey metallic solid is formed. Carbon + aluminium oxide No reaction Carbon + zinc oxide The mixture glow and grey deposits is formed.

Analysis:

	►	Carbon reduces lead (II) oxide, copper (II) oxide and zinc oxide. Therefore carbon must have occupied a higher position than lead and zinc in the reactivity series. ○ C(s) + 2ZnO(s) → 2Zn(s) + CO2(g) ○ C(s) + 2PbO(s) → 2Pb(s) + CO2(g)
	►	Carbon does not reduce aluminium oxide. This show that carbon having the lower position than aluminium in the reactivity series.
	►	Therefore, the position of carbon in the reactivity series is between aluminium and zinc.

Conclusion:

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Carbon is places between aluminium and zinc in the reactivity series.

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