Fizz or No Fizz?
Some metals fizz and bubble when they meet water or acid, because they make hydrogen gas. Others just sit there and nothing happens at all. Can you predict which is which?
For each pair, first tick Fizz or No fizz to show your prediction. Then mix the pair in the ChemistFella lab and write down what really happened. Were you right? At the end, count how many predictions you got correct.
Name: Date:
Predict, then test
| Mix | Fizz | No fizz | What really happened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potassium + Water | |||
| Gold + Water | |||
| Magnesium + Hydrochloric Acid | |||
| Copper + Hydrochloric Acid | |||
| Calcium + Water | |||
| Helium + Oxygen | |||
| Zinc + Hydrochloric Acid | |||
| Silver + Water | |||
| Iron + Hydrochloric Acid | |||
| Silver + Hydrochloric Acid |
My score: ______ out of 10 predictions right.
Notes for parents and teachers
This sheet introduces the idea that metals have different reactivity. The very reactive metals (potassium, calcium) react with water, magnesium, zinc and iron react with hydrochloric acid, and the least reactive metals (copper, silver, gold) do not react with either. Helium is included as a reminder that noble gases do not react.
Encourage children to give a reason for each prediction, even a guess such as "gold never goes rusty". After testing, ask them to sort the metals from most to least reactive. This is a simple version of the reactivity series taught in secondary school. All the reactions are virtual, so children must never try them with real chemicals.