KA 1: Metals

• What is the order of metals based on their reactivity called?

  Electrochemical Series
• What is metallic bonding?

  Bonding between positive ions and delocalised electrons
• Why do metals conduct electricity?

  Delocalised electrons are free to move
• What is a common exam question about metallic bonding?

  How can metals conduct electricity?
• What reactions can metals undergo?

  With oxygen, acids, and water
• What is the reaction of a metal with oxygen?

  Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide
• What is the reaction of a metal with dilute acids?

  Metal + Dilute Acids → Salt + Hydrogen
• What is the reaction of a metal with water?

  Metal + Water → Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen
• Which metals react with water to create metal hydroxide and hydrogen?

  Only the most reactive metals
• What do most metals in the electrochemical series react with?

  Oxygen to create metal oxide
• How are more reactive metals extracted from ores?

  Using electrolysis
• What is electrolysis?

  Breaking down ionic substances using electric current
• What happens during electrolysis?

  Chemical reactions occur at the electrodes
• How are metals in the middle of the electrochemical series extracted?

  By heating with carbon or carbon monoxide
• How can gold be extracted from its ore?

  Using heat alone
• How does electrical energy travel in electrochemical cells?

  From metals high to lower in the series
• What is a simple cell made of?

  Two different metals in an electrolyte solution
• What are half-cells in electrochemical cells?

  Metals in solutions containing their ions
• How are two half-cells connected?

  Using an ion bridge to complete the circuit
• What do redox reactions describe?

  The transfer of electrons between atoms
• What does OIL RIG stand for?

  Oxidation is Loss, Reduction is Gain
• What happens during oxidation?

  An atom loses electrons and is oxidised
• What happens during reduction?

  An atom gains electrons and is reduced
• What are reducing agents?

  Compounds that give electrons to another molecule
• What are displacement reactions?

  When a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one
• What occurs in a displacement reaction?

  A compound with a more reactive metal displaces another
• What are the key points of metallic bonding?

  • Positive ions bind together
  • Surrounded by delocalised electrons
  • Delocalised electrons are free to move
  • Metals conduct electricity
• What are the key reactions involving metals?

  1. Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide
  2. Metal + Dilute Acids → Salt + Hydrogen
  3. Metal + Water → Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen
• What are the methods of extracting metals?

  • More reactive metals: electrolysis
  • Middle reactivity: heating with carbon
  • Less reactive metals: heat alone (e.g., gold)
• What are the components of electrochemical cells?

  • Two different metals
  • Electrolyte solution
  • Half-cells connected by an ion bridge
• What are the characteristics of redox reactions?

  • Transfer of electrons
  • Oxidation: loss of electrons
  • Reduction: gain of electrons
  • Involves reducing agents
• What are the characteristics of displacement reactions?

  • Occur between metals in the electrochemical series
  • More reactive metal displaces less reactive metal
  • Involves compounds containing different metals