Chemistry reactivity series

• Which metals were known to ancient civilizations?

  Gold and silver
• What is the order of reactivity for metals in the reactivity series?

  Most reactive at the top and least reactive at the bottom
• What systems yield the same order of reactivity for metals?

  1. Metals reacting with air (oxygen)
  2. Metals reacting with cold water
  3. Metals reacting with steam
  4. Metals reacting with solutions of salts of other metals (displacement reactions)
• What is the general equation for metals reacting with oxygen?

  Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide
• What happens to soft metals when cut with a knife?

  They give a shiny surface which quickly tarnishes
• What color flame does sodium produce when burned?

  Bright yellow flame
• How does magnesium react when heated in air?

  Burns with a bright white flame leaving a white ash
• What is observed when iron burns in air?

  Orange sparks forming a black solid
• Why do more reactive metals burn completely when heated?

  Because they react more vigorously with oxygen
• What is the balanced equation for the reaction of aluminium with oxygen?

  4Al + 3O₂ → 2Al₂O₃
• What is the balanced equation for the reaction of sodium with oxygen?

  4Na + O₂ → 2Na₂O
• What is the balanced equation for the reaction of calcium with oxygen?

  2Ca + O₂ → 2CaO
• How does magnesium react with oxygen?

  Burns with bright white light and leaves white ash
• What is observed when iron reacts with oxygen?

  Produces orange sparks and forms a black solid
• What happens when copper reacts with oxygen?

  Reacts very slowly to form black copper oxide
• What is the general reaction of metals with water?

  • Metal + Water → Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen
  • More reactive metals react vigorously
  • Less reactive metals show little to no reaction
• What is the balanced equation for sodium reacting with water?

  2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂
• What is the balanced equation for calcium reacting with water?

  Ca + 2H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + H₂
• What is the balanced equation for potassium reacting with water?

  2K + 2H₂O → 2KOH + H₂
• What is observed when potassium reacts with water?

  Floats, moves rapidly, bursts into lilac flame, and releases gas
• How does magnesium react with steam?

  Produces a very bright white light and a white powder remains
• What is the balanced equation for magnesium reacting with steam?

  Mg + H₂O(g) → MgO + H₂
• What is the balanced equation for zinc reacting with steam?

  Zn + H₂O(g) → ZnO + H₂
• What happens when a metal reacts with steam?

  Metal oxide and hydrogen gas are formed
• Why does copper not react with cold water or steam?

  Because copper atoms do not lose electrons readily
• What is the relationship between reactivity and the tendency to form positive ions?

  More reactive metals lose electrons more easily to form positive ions
• What is the half equation for sodium losing electrons?

  Na → Na⁺ + e^-
• What is the half equation for potassium losing electrons?

  K → K⁺ + e^-
• Why is potassium more reactive than sodium?

  Potassium loses electrons more readily due to its outer electrons being further from the nucleus
• Compare the reactions of magnesium and copper with air.

  Magnesium burns completely producing a white solid, while copper only reacts on the surface producing a black layer

  
• What is the balanced equation for magnesium burning in oxygen?

  2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO
• What is the balanced equation for copper burning in oxygen?

  2Cu + O₂ → 2CuO
• What are displacement reactions used for in the context of metals?

  • To place metals like aluminium in a reactivity series
  • Observations help determine relative reactivity
  • Protective oxide layers can affect perceived reactivity
• What happens when magnesium is tested with aluminium sulfate solution?

  A reaction is observed, indicating magnesium is more reactive than aluminium

  
• What happens when copper is tested with aluminium sulfate solution?

  No reaction occurs

  
• What happens when zinc is tested with aluminium sulfate solution?

  No reaction occurs

  
• What conclusion can be drawn from the displacement reactions involving magnesium, copper, and zinc?

  Magnesium is more reactive than aluminium, while copper and zinc are less reactive

  
• What is the chemical reaction for magnesium burning in oxygen?

  2Mg + O2 → 2MgO
• What is the chemical reaction for copper burning in oxygen?

  2Cu + O2 → 2CuO
• What are displacement reactions used for in the context of metals?

  • To place metals like aluminium in a reactivity series
  • More reactive metals can displace less reactive metals from their compounds