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Metals in acid: who bubbles most?

Compare magnesium, zinc and copper. The more reactive the metal, the faster the hydrogen bubbles.

Topic: First chemistry (grades 7–8)Grade: 8Free

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What you do

  1. Add magnesium to tube 1.
  2. Add zinc to tube 2.
  3. Add copper to tube 3. Nothing happens: copper is not reactive enough.
  4. Hold a burning splint at tube 1: the “pop” proves the gas is hydrogen.

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