Use of Enthalpy Changes of Metal Reactions

Use of Enthalpy Changes of Metal Reactions

The problem: The problem that I will investigate is how to use

enthalpy changes of metal reactions to experimentally test the

reactivity series of common metals. Therefore the area that I am

looking at is reactions involving metals and the heat energy that is

evolved when these take place. In brief the reactivity series of

metals is a list in which metals are ranked according to their

reactivity, from the most reactive metals (such as Pottassium) at the

top to Gold the least reactive metal at the bottom. Therefore my

research question is “Can enthalpy changes of reaction be used to

predict the place of a metal in the metals reactivity series?”

Hypothesis:

“In reactions between various metals and the same other single

reactant, the more reactive the reacting metal the stronger will be

the bonds in the metal product formed . This will be observable

through more exothermic enthalpy changes of reaction for more reactive

metals.”

The hypothesis is the prediction which should help me to answer the

research question. If the hypothesis is proved correct through

experimentation then I can apply it to predict the place of the metals

I have investigated in the reactivity series. This will be as simple

as arranging the metals investigated in order of decreasing enthalpy

change of reaction and then comparing this list with published and

accepted data. If they match then the hypothesis will be proved

correct. If this is true then the answer to the research question will

be yes as I will then be able to use enthalpy change of reaction to

work out the place of a metal in the reactivity series without the

need to refer to a book.

The hypothesis is based on the following explanation. The enthalpy

change of a reaction is the heat evolved when a reaction takes place.

All chemical bonds hold heat energy within them. Enthalpy change of

reaction is the difference between the heat held in the bonds of