Chemistry-Reactivity series

• What is the reactivity series?

  An order of how reactive a group of metals are with water, steam, oxygen, and each other
• Which metal is the most reactive in the reactivity series?

  Potassium
• What is the least reactive metal in the reactivity series?

  Copper
• How do we determine the order of the reactivity series?

  By conducting reactions with these metals and comparing their reactivity
• What is the first reaction used to compare the metals in the reactivity series?

  The reaction with oxygen
• What apparatus is used to conduct the reaction with oxygen?

  A crucible on a tripod with a lid and a Bunsen burner
• Why is a lid used during the reaction with oxygen?

  To trap heat and allow enough energy for the reaction
• What is the general observation for most metals when reacting with oxygen?

  They form white solids
• What observation is noted when potassium reacts with oxygen?

  It produces a lilac flame and forms a white solid
• How does sodium react with oxygen?

  It burns with a yellow flame to form a white solid
• What is unique about zinc's reaction with oxygen?

  It initially forms a yellow solid that turns white upon cooling
• What observation is made when iron reacts with oxygen?

  It produces orange sparks and forms a black solid
• What happens to copper when it reacts with oxygen?

  It does not burn but turns black and causes the flame to turn blue-green
• What is the basic equation for the reaction of a metal with oxygen?

  Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide
• How do you conduct the reaction of a metal with cold water?

  By dropping the metal into a container of water
• Which metals react with cold water?

  Only the top four metals: potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium
• What observation is made when potassium reacts with cold water?

  It fizzes, produces heat, and disappears, forming a colored solution
• What happens when sodium reacts with cold water?

  It fizzes, melts into a ball, and disappears, releasing heat
• What is the observation for calcium's reaction with cold water?

  It fizzes, sinks, floats, and forms a cloudy solution
• How does magnesium react with cold water?

  It produces a few bubbles over a long period of time
• What is the basic equation for the reaction of a metal with cold water?

  Metal + Cold Water → Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen Gas
• What is the reaction of metals with steam?

  It involves heating the metal and mineral wool to produce steam
• Which metals react with steam?

  Potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, and iron
• What observation is made when magnesium reacts with steam?

  It produces white light and a white solid
• What happens when aluminium reacts with steam?

  It burns to form a white solid and releases gas
• What is the observation for zinc's reaction with steam?

  It produces a yellow solid that turns white when cooled
• What happens when iron reacts with steam?

  It burns red hot to form a black solid and releases gas
• What is the difference in products when metals react with steam compared to cold water?

  Metals react with steam to form metal oxides instead of metal hydroxides
• What is a displacement reaction?

  When a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from a compound
• What happens in the reaction of magnesium with copper sulfate?

  Magnesium displaces copper from copper sulfate, forming magnesium sulfate and copper
• What is the observation when copper sulfate reacts with magnesium?

  The blue solution turns colorless as magnesium is used up
• What is the thermite reaction?

  It involves solid aluminium reacting with solid iron oxide to produce molten iron
• Why are some metals very reactive while others are not?

  It depends on how easily they lose electrons to form positive ions
• What is the consequence of metals being very reactive in terms of extraction?

  They are rarely found as pure metals in the ground
• How is copper extracted from its ore?

  It can be found as pure metal without any reaction
• What method is used to extract zinc and iron from their ores?

  Reduction using carbon or carbon monoxide
• What technique is used for extracting more reactive metals?

  Electrolysis