In this experiment, we are using Calcium, Aluminum, and Magnesium to test our theory about periodic trends. We put these 3 metals through different tests to show why elements in similar group and period react differently. The purpose for this lab is to test the idea of patterns in the periodic trend, and if elements in similar group or similar period react differently due to the trend that they follow. If two elements in the same group or family are to be tested, one of the element reactivity will be slightly different from the other. This is the work of the periodic trends, the characteristics of an element atom change because of the element locations on the periodic table. The differences in characteristics of an element’s atom will make
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The 3 elements that were picked for the experiment share similar group and periods. The elements Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca) have similar group, but their reactivity are different. The reason for this is that the atomic radius trend decreases as you go across the group but increases as you go down the group. Calcium is further down than magnesium, which mean it will have a bigger atomic radius. The definition of the atomic radius is the distance from the nucleus to the outside edge of the electron cloud, this means that the bigger the atomic radius is, the harder for the positive nucleus to pull the negative electrons in because of electron shielding, meaning that the electron in the lower energy level is in the way of the radius and the electrons in the higher energy level. This is the reason why Calcium is more reactive than Magnesium, since it can …show more content…
The equipments that was set up to be used with the experiment was test tubes, test tube rack, a 3x3 optical bottom plate, two 2-mL transfer dropper, three wood splint, sandpaper, and a lighter.
Caution: Hydrochloric acid are highly toxic/corrosive. Handle with care and remember to wash carefully with soap if any chemical ever come in contact with your skin. Make sure to wear goggles also while you’re in the lab. First, we filled beakers with distilled water and then brought it to our station, together with calcium metal pellets, magnesium ribbon, and aluminum foil. My partner Dax sandpapered the Magnesium ribbon and rip it to 3 different pieces about half an inch long. Then I wrap the Aluminum into 3 separate small pieces, also about half an inch long. Afterward, I placed the 3 calcium metal pellets and the other two element pieces into a 3x3 optical bottom plate (We only used 2x3 of it), they were categorize like in the image
The 3 elements that were picked for the experiment share similar group and periods. The elements Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca) have similar group, but their reactivity are different. The reason for this is that the atomic radius trend decreases as you go across the group but increases as you go down the group. Calcium is further down than magnesium, which mean it will have a bigger atomic radius. The definition of the atomic radius is the distance from the nucleus to the outside edge of the electron cloud, this means that the bigger the atomic radius is, the harder for the positive nucleus to pull the negative electrons in because of electron shielding, meaning that the electron in the lower energy level is in the way of the radius and the electrons in the higher energy level. This is the reason why Calcium is more reactive than Magnesium, since it can …show more content…
The equipments that was set up to be used with the experiment was test tubes, test tube rack, a 3x3 optical bottom plate, two 2-mL transfer dropper, three wood splint, sandpaper, and a lighter.
Caution: Hydrochloric acid are highly toxic/corrosive. Handle with care and remember to wash carefully with soap if any chemical ever come in contact with your skin. Make sure to wear goggles also while you’re in the lab. First, we filled beakers with distilled water and then brought it to our station, together with calcium metal pellets, magnesium ribbon, and aluminum foil. My partner Dax sandpapered the Magnesium ribbon and rip it to 3 different pieces about half an inch long. Then I wrap the Aluminum into 3 separate small pieces, also about half an inch long. Afterward, I placed the 3 calcium metal pellets and the other two element pieces into a 3x3 optical bottom plate (We only used 2x3 of it), they were categorize like in the image