8W learn how to extract metals in Science
Always keen to deliver practical lessons to our boys, 8W this week were learning the principles behind how we extract metals from the earth's surface, which is dependent on how reactive the metals are in relation to each other.
The boys dropped different pieces of metal (magnesium, aluminium, tin, iron, zinc) into a solution of copper sulphate (a clear blue solution) and were amazed to see the characteristic rose gold colour of copper appear, and the blue colour disappear (or change).
With their November exams coming up, you could help with their revision by asking them what type of reaction is taking place when this happens?! (These are examples of displacement reactions, and depend on the reactivity series of metals, as I am sure you all know!).
Ms Bryony Carpenter
Science Teacher
