Place the metal samples in the metal salt solutions on a spotting tile as shown in the diagram.
Use a clean teat pipette for each solution.
If the metal is more reactive than the metal in solution, it will displace the metal in solution.
Example: Copper nitrate is blue, magnesium nitrate is yellow. During the reaction, the copper nitrate solution will change from blue to yellow as the magnesium, which is more reactive than copper, displaces it from the solution.
\(Cu(NO_3)_2(aq) + Mg(s) \rightarrow Cu(s) + Mg(NO_3)_2(aq)\)
If a less reactive metal is added to a metal salt solution
there will be no reaction - nothing will happen!