Single Displacement Reaction Lab

Purpose
To observe the reactions, and appearance of the magnesium strip when it come in contact with two different compounds.

Introduction
This lab experiment focuses on single displacement reactions which occurs between an ionic compound and a single element. The general chemical equation is:
AB + C → CB + A
(A = metal, B = non-metal, C = element)
As you can see, in this reaction the element C replaces the metal A, and forms a compound with non-metal B.

Hypothesis
I predict that the zinc chloride will corrode the magnesium metal strip because this substance is known to be ‘mildly corrosive’. Since the zinc chloride is only mildly corrosive, I don’t expect the metal to look brittle, or have many visible marking. Also, ZnCl2 is often

I predict that the copper(II) chloride will corrode the magnesium metal strip, and there will be visible markings. Copper(II) chloride is known to corrode aluminum metal, and aluminum is known to be more resistant to corrosion than magnesium. magnesium + copper(II) chloride → magnesium chloride + copper
(Mg + CuCl2 → MgCl2 + Cu)
I also expect the magnesium to combine with the non-metal, chlorine to form an ionic compound (MgCl2) while copper is left isolated.

Materials spotting tray
2 magnesium pieces/ ribbons (Mg) zinc chloride solution

When the chemicals came in contact with each other, almost all them had an immediate and visible chemical change. The exception is the combination of sodium chloride and potassium nitrate. I saw a similarity in appearance of the reactions between sodium chloride with silver nitrate and sodium carbonate with calcium chloride. They both appeared translucent and cloudy white after their reaction.

Discussion
A chemical reaction did occur in every combination, however no signs were shown for combination d) between sodium chloride and potassium nitrate. Indications of a chemical reactions occurring between these two compounds were not present, as in the colour did not change, and gas, heat, light nor sound was produced. In addition, when sodium chloride and potassium nitrate combine they form sodium nitrate and potassium chloride. The products sodium nitrate and potassium chloride are both aqueous, therefore no precipitate was formed either.

Word equations and balanced chemical equations: sodium chloride + silver nitrate → sodium nitrate + silver chloride
(NaCl + AgNO3 → NaNO3 + AgCl) silver nitrate + potassium iodide → silver nitrate + potassium