Which two metals combined together give the higher voltage when reacting with acid

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Which two metals combined together give the higher voltage when reacting with acid

Introduction

In this investigation we will find out which two metals combined together give the higher voltage when reacting with acid. The metals used will be:

· Aluminium
· Zinc
· Iron
· Tin
· Lead
· Nickel
· Copper

To make a prediction on what metals will be the ones that give the highest voltage when combined together you need to find out if the position in which the metals are at in the reactivity series would make a difference, and if it does, how? You also need to find out how the metals react with acids.

We know that the higher the metal is in the reactivity series, the stronger it will react with an acid.

Theory

Batteries have chemicals inside to store energy. When two different metals that are connected by a wire are placed into an acid, a potential difference (voltage) is produced. This occurs because the metals react with the acid forming Hydrogen acid, a metal salt solution and an electric charge. The charge flows from the most reactive metal to the least reactive metal.

Equipment

The equipment used will be:

· Acids
· Metals
· Wires
· Voltmeters
· Beakers
· Measuring cylinders
· Stop watches
· Sandpaper

Method

Collect all the equipment and place it as it is shown on the diagram above. Choose around 10 pairs of metals and place one pair in the beaker, and connect them both with a wire. Put them in for a few seconds, and voltage will be produced when the two metals react with the acid forming hydrogen, a metal salt solution and an electric charge. This charge will flow from the least reactive metal to the most reactive metal. Measure the voltage with the voltmeter and write it down. Do this for every pair of metal you have chosen, and then find out which ones are the most reactive and which ones are the least. Prediction

I predict that the highest metal in the reactivity series and the lowest metal in the reactivity series from the metals we are using will produce the highest voltage. I think this because voltage is also called potential difference, so this shows that there is more power when the difference between the metals is larger. This means that the voltage in the metal which is lower in the reactivity series must have a higher voltage to the metal that is most reactive to make my prediction correct. I think that the highest the difference = the higher the voltage.

I also predict that changing the acid will change the ending result. I think that the stronger the acid, the higher the voltage.

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