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Activity Series

 

            
             In order to determine the activity series of six metals: Calcium, Copper Iron, Magnesium, Tin, and .
             Zinc; experiment and observation were used. Reactions were sought by combining the metals with.
             metal ions and an acid. The series was found to be, from most to least reactive, Calcium, followed by .
             Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, and finally Copper.
             Introduction .
             The activity series is a syestem of measuring how reactive each metal is. This information is .
             useful in such are of industry as machinery, minting, dentistry, and so on. Engineers in these .
             industries must know how reactive a metal is to weather, other metals, and everyday liquids one may .
             come into contact with. For example, it would be in the interest of a machinist to use a least reactive .
             metal in creating parts for vehicles and heavy machinery that would not be easily affected by the .
             weather or chemicals found along their way. Dentists fill cavities with metals which least react to .
             certain chemicals in foods and acerbic saliva of the human body. Through the study of metals and .
             the activity series they are able to avoid the decomposition of dental work and infliction of pain on .
             the patient. .
             The activity of a metal is an indication of how easily it gives up electrons- a process known as .
             oxidization. Because Zinc can be oxidized by a solution of Copper (11), and silver metal cannot, it is .
             more active and placed higher in the series. The most active metals, or those highest in the series, are .
             the alkali and alkaline earth metals. The elements towards the end of the activity series are more .
             stable, do not form compounds as readily, and are more durable metals. .
             From studying the activity series predictions can be made concerning the possible reactions that would occur when combining two or more given metals. He products of reactions can also be predicted by studying patterns in the activity of metals.


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