The reactivity series, separating metals and redox reactions

• What does the reactivity series list?

  Metals in order of their reactivity
• How is a metal's reactivity determined?

  By how easily it loses electrons
• Which metal is at the top of the reactivity series?

  Potassium
• What is the order of metals in the reactivity series?

  • Potassium (K)
  • Sodium (Na)
  • Lithium (Li)
  • Calcium (Ca)
  • Magnesium (Mg)
  • Carbon (C)
  • Zinc (Zn)
  • Iron (Fe)
  • Hydrogen (H)
  • Copper (Cu)
• What happens when metals react with water or acid?

  They lose electrons and form positive ions
• What does comparing metals' reactivity with acid or water reveal?

  The order of metals in the reactivity series
• What do metals produce when they react with acids?

  A salt and hydrogen gas
• What indicates the speed of a reaction with acids?

  The rate of hydrogen bubbles produced
• How do very reactive metals behave with acids?

  They react explosively
• How can you investigate metal reactivity with acids or water?

  By measuring temperature change over time
• Which metals react with water?

  Potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium
• Which metals do not react with cold, dilute acids?

  Copper
• What is the reaction of metals with water?

  Metal + Water → Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen
• What is oxidation in terms of metals?

  Gain of oxygen
• What is a reduction reaction?

  A reaction that separates a metal from its oxide
• What is the equation for magnesium oxidation?

  2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO
• What does reduction mean in terms of metals?

  Loss of oxygen
• What is the equation for copper reduction?

  2CuO + C → 2Cu + CO₂
• How does the reactivity series affect metal extraction?

  It determines extraction method used
• Which metals require electrolysis for extraction?

  Metals higher than carbon in reactivity
• Why can carbon only reduce metals below it in the reactivity series?

  Carbon cannot remove oxygen from more reactive metals
• What is the mnemonic for remembering oxidation and reduction?

  OIL RIG
• What happens during a redox reaction?

  Oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously
• What is a displacement reaction?

  A more reactive metal replaces a less reactive one
• What happens when iron is placed in copper sulfate solution?

  Iron replaces copper in the compound
• What is the ionic equation for the reaction of zinc and iron sulfate?

  Zn + FeSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Fe
• What do ionic equations show?

  Only the reacting particles and products
• What are spectator ions?

  Particles that do not change in a reaction
• What is the purpose of electrolysis?

  To break down a compound into its elements
• Where do positive ions move during electrolysis?

  To the cathode
• Where do negative ions move during electrolysis?

  To the anode
• What is required for an ionic compound to conduct electricity?

  It must be molten or in solution
• What might be required to extract a metal from its ore?

  A chemical reaction
• What are the key concepts of redox reactions?

  • Oxidation: Loss of electrons
  • Reduction: Gain of electrons
  • OIL RIG: Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain
  • Occur simultaneously in reactions
• What are the steps of electrolysis?

  1. Compound is broken down into elements
  2. Positive ions move to cathode
  3. Negative ions move to anode
  4. Creates a chemical reaction
• How do metals differ in extraction methods?

  • Higher than carbon: Extracted by electrolysis
  • Lower than carbon: Extracted by reduction with carbon
  • Unreactive metals: Found as elemental form