Reactivity Series

• A metal that can be easily oxidised will have a low position on the reactivity series, while one that cannot be oxidised at all will be at the top of the reactivity series
• Displacement reactions


  When a more reactive metal reacts with a less reactive metal compound, that metal will displace the other one in the compound, forming to create a new metal compound and leaving behind the less reactive metal.
• Metals reacting with oxygen


  Metal + oxygen -> metal oxide
• Metals reacting with acids


  Metal + acid -> salt* + hydrogen

  *the salt is named after the metal and the acid used in the reaction
• 2 methods to extract metals from ores


  • electrolysis
  • heating with carbon
• When do we heat metals with carbon to extract ores?

  When the metal is less reactive than carbon
• potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, carbon*, zinc, iron, lead, copper, silver gold
• When do we use electrolysis to extract ores?

  When the metal is more reactive than carbon
• The least reactive metals are found at the bottom of the reactivity series.
• Reactivity series - A table that shows how easily metals can be extracted from their compounds by chemical reactions.
• The most reactive metals are found at the top of the reactivity series.
• Most of the highly reactive metals are group 1/2 elements
• In a metal displacement reaction, the more reactive metal (the one higher up the reactivity series) will replace the less reactive metal (the one lower down).
• What are the signs that a reaction is taking place?

  • physical changes in the solution (colour, transparency)
  • gas being produced (bubbles, gas, fizzing)
  • solids being formed (precipitates)
  • changes in smell
  • temperature change
• Electrolysis is used to extract metals from molten salts or fused oxides.
• Some metals, such as silver and gold, are so pure, they don't need to be extracted from ores
• Metal extraction using electrolysis involves passing an electric current through a liquid containing dissolved metal ions.
• Aluminium is extracted by electrolysing alumina (aluminium oxide)