In this lab we will determine how a reaction between an unknown metal and an acid can be used to identify the metal. The experiment will be conducted by reacting and unknown metal with and acid, which will release H2 gas that will be captured in a closed container with a known volume and temperature. The ideal gas law can then be used to calculate the number of moles of hydrogen:

With the number of moles of hydrogen that are released and applied with each of the three stoichiometric ratios, the three atomic weights can be calculated. With the three calculations and the physical properties of the unknown metal, we can determine which metal it matches up with using the periodic table.

I expect that by determining the metals properties we will be able to establish its identity. By determining the identity of the unknown metal we will place into practice the gas law along with stoichiometry. We also learn that metals that have a more negative reduction potential than H+ ions can reduce those ions to H2. The hydrogen gas can be collected and we will then be able to determine its pressure, volume, and temperature. From the hydrogen mass of the metal sample we can approximate the atomic weight of the metal.