The Relationship Between a Metals Rank in a Reactivity Series and Enthalpy Measurement

The Relationship Between a Metals Rank in a Reactivity Series and Enthalpy Measurement

By: Christine Dziedzic

Research Question:

Using a reaction of metals in hydrochloric acid is there a relationship between a metals place in a reactivity series and the change of enthalpy?

Background information: To move forward with this experiment it is necessary to understand the independent variable (a metals placement in a reactivity series) and the dependant variable (the measure of enthalpy). A reactivity series arranges metals in order of reactivity from highest to lowest. It is generally used to learn what the products of a single displacement reaction will be. A single displacement reaction is when AX + Y ---> YX + A. Y will replace metal A if it is higher in the reactivity series. The change in enthalpy is the amount of energy absorbed or released during a reaction. The change in enthalpy is calculated through the equation : ]

Q= MCΔT. The variables stand for the following:

Q= enthalpy change

M= Mass

C= specific heat capacity (Heat per gram required to raise the temperature by one degree Celsius)(

ΔT = Temperature change.

The specific heat capacity of each metal is:

Fe: 0.44 J/goC

Al: .090 J/goC

Ca: .65 J/goC

Zn: .39 J/goC

Mg: 1.02 J/goC

(Specific Heat Capacity Table)

The enthalpy change will be compared to the metals place in a reactivity series. Below is the metals ranked from most reactive to least reactive:

Calcium

Magnesium

Aluminum

Zinc

Iron

(The Reactivity Series of Metals)

In this experiment five different metals will be reacted with hydrochloric acid. The equations of