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GALVANIC SERIES

Galvanic Series
Introduction
Oxidation-reduction reactions involve the transfer of one or more electrons between two
substances. In a simple example, Zn metal can react with an acid to generate Zn2+ and H2 gas.
Zn (s) + 2 HCl (aq) ! ZnCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)
In this case, Zn is oxidized to Zn2+ and H+ (in HCl) is reduced to H2. Two electrons are
transferred from 2 equivalents of HCl to 1 equivalent of Zn.
Oxidation-reduction reactions are found in many applications from everyday life including
combustion, corrosion or rusting, and batteries. For example, the nickel cadmium battery uses
the following redox reaction:
Cd(s) + NiO2 (s) + H2O (l) ! Cd(OH)2 (s) + Ni(OH)2 (s)
Cd (s) is oxidized to Cd2+ and Ni4+ is reduced to Ni2+.
Both of the above reactions occur spontaneously, that is, by themselves without any external
energy source being applied to the system. Thus, both reactions generate energy in the direction
written. In the case of the nickel cadmium battery, this energy is harnessed to do electrical
work. The reverse reactions are not spontaneous and require energy to proceed. Hence, bubbling
H2 (g) into a solution of ZnCl2 will result in no reaction. The reason for this observation is due to
the relative ease of oxidation of various metals and nonmetals. Some metals are easy to oxidize:
Li easily loses an electron to form Li+. However, other metals are difficult to oxidize: Au does
not easily lose electrons; it is very stable as Au0. The metals and nonmetals can be ranked based
on their ease of reduction (or oxidation). This ranking is called an Activity Series or Galvanic
Series.
Lab Instructions
Materials
Possible Metals (s)
Cu
Ca
Fe
Ni
Mg
Zn

Possible Metal salts (aq)


CuSO4 or CuCl2
CaCl2
FeCl2
NiCl2
MgCl2
ZnCl2

REACTION OF ZINC AND IODINE

Safety Precautions
Metal salts have varying toxicities. Handle with care and avoid contact with skin.
Metals are combustible avoid exposure to flame.
Some metal reactions may be vigorous perform all reactions in the hood and be prepared for
the generation of heat.
Prelab Assignment
Complete the following questions prior to coming to lab. An incomplete prelab assignment
may lead to a dismissal from lab.
1. Note the safety precautions for this lab.
2. Predict the products of the following reactions. If no reaction occurs, write no reaction.
K (s) + Fe3+ (aq) !
NiCl2 (aq) + Cu (s) !
Cr2(SO4)3 + Al (s) !
Procedure
You will be provided a series of solid metals and their cationic salts. Construct a Galvanic Series
for the metals provided in lab.
Note: If Ca (s) is provided as one of your metals, run all Ca metal salt reactions in a 250 mL
or larger beaker. Use only one small piece of Ca per reaction. Dispose of the resulting solution
in a separate waste container, as instructed.
Analysis
Complete a Typed, 1 page summary documenting your approach, results, and final Galvanic
Series. The components of the summary should include:
Goal statement: 1 2 sentences describing the goal of the lab.
Process/Approach: Briefly describe how you performed the lab. What was your strategy?
(4 5 sentences)
Results: Summarize your results. What was very reactive? What was not very reactive?
(4 5 sentences)
Proposed Galvanic Series: List your metals in order of reactivity. Be sure to designate
which is most reactive and which is least reactive.
Analysis: Compare your series to the actual series distributed in class or in the book.
Does yours agree? If not, provide a brief error analysis. (4 5 sentences)
Please label each of the above, required sections.
Due: Monday, October 3, 2016

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