reactivity series

• What happens when metals react in terms of electrons?

  They lose electrons to form positive ions
• What reaction was shown for potassium with water?

  Potassium reacts vigorously with water
• What products are formed when potassium reacts with water?

  Potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas
• How does sodium's reaction with water compare to potassium's?

  Sodium reacts less rapidly than potassium
• What does lithium produce when it reacts with water?

  Lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas
• How does calcium react with water?

  Calcium reacts fairly rapidly with water
• What is produced when calcium reacts with water?

  Calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas
• How does the reactivity of metals change down the list?

  Metals react less rapidly with water down the list
• Which metals do not react with water at room temperature?

  Magnesium, zinc, iron, and copper
• Why can't we use water to compare magnesium, zinc, iron, and copper's reactivity?

  They do not react with water
• What happens when calcium reacts with dilute acid?

  Calcium reacts extremely vigorously
• How does magnesium's reaction with dilute acid compare to zinc's?

  Magnesium reacts more rapidly than zinc
• What is the reactivity of iron with dilute acid?

  Iron reacts slowly with dilute acid
• What is the reactivity of copper with dilute acid?

  Copper does not react with dilute acid
• What is the reactivity series for metals based on their reactions with water and acids?

  • Potassium: very rapid with water
  • Sodium: rapid with water
  • Lithium: slower with water
  • Calcium: fairly rapid with water
  • Magnesium: no reaction with water, reacts rapidly with acid
  • Zinc: no reaction with water, reacts quite rapidly with acid
  • Iron: no reaction with water, reacts slowly with acid
  • Copper: no reaction with water or acid
• Which non-metals are included in the reactivity series?

  Carbon and hydrogen
• What determines how rapidly a metal reacts?

  The ability to lose electrons and form positive ions
• How does potassium's ability to form a positive ion compare to copper's?

  Potassium readily forms a positive ion, copper does not