Reactivity of Metals

• What is the reactivity series used for?

  To rank metals by their reactivity
• What characterizes very reactive metals?

  They easily form positive ions
• Which metal is represented by the symbol K?

  Potassium
• Which metal is represented by the symbol Na?

  Sodium
• What happens to reactivity as you move down the reactivity series?

  Reactivity decreases
• Which metal is represented by the symbol Ca?

  Calcium
• How are metals like magnesium extracted?

  Using electrolysis from molten compounds
• What is the symbol for magnesium?

  Mg
• What is the symbol for carbon?

  C
• What is the symbol for zinc?

  Zn
• What is the symbol for iron?

  Fe
• What is the symbol for hydrogen?

  H
• How do some metals like gold exist in nature?

  As the metal itself due to low reactivity
• What is produced when a metal reacts with oxygen?

  Metal oxide
• What is produced when a metal reacts with an acid?

  Salt and hydrogen
• What is produced when a metal reacts with water?

  Metal hydroxide and hydrogen
• What happens to hydrogen production with more reactive metals?

  Bubbles of hydrogen are produced faster
• What type of reaction occurs when a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal?

  Displacement reaction
• What is the general reaction formula for a metal reacting with an acid?

  Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen
• What are the reactions of metals with oxygen, acids, and water?

  • Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide
  • Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen
  • Metal + Water → Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen
• What is the relationship between metal reactivity and hydrogen production?

  • More reactive metals produce hydrogen faster
  • Less reactive metals produce hydrogen slower or not at all
• What are the extraction methods for metals based on their reactivity?

  • Very reactive metals: extracted by electrolysis
  • Less reactive metals: extracted by reduction using carbon
  • Unreactive metals: found in nature as pure metals
• What is a displacement reaction in terms of metal reactivity?

  • A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its compound