The reactivity series of metals

• What does the reactivity series allow us to predict?

  How metals will react
• What is the method used to extract metals based on?

  • The reactivity of the metal
  • The stability of the metal compound
• What are ores?

  Minerals containing metal compounds
• What is a compound?

  A substance formed by chemical union
• How does the stability of a compound relate to metal extraction?

  It determines the extraction method used
• What is reactivity?

  A measure of how vigorously a substance reacts
• What happens to very reactive metals like aluminium?

  They form stable oxides and compounds
• What is electrolysis?

  Decomposition of a compound using electric current
• Why is electrolysis used for extracting reactive metals?

  It requires a lot of electric current
• What is reduction in chemistry?

  Loss of oxygen or gain of electrons
• How are less reactive metals like iron extracted?

  By reduction with carbon
• What determines the method of extraction for metals?

  • The metal's position in the reactivity series
  • The stability of the metal's compound
• What is the extraction method for metals in the reactivity series?

  • Metals more reactive than carbon: Electrolysis
  • Metals less reactive than carbon: Reduction with carbon
• What is the extraction method for potassium?

  Electrolysis
• What is the extraction method for zinc?

  Reduction by carbon or carbon monoxide
• Why is gold found as a native metal?

  It is very unreactive
• What may be needed to remove contaminants from gold?

  Chemical reactions
• What are the extraction methods for metals in the reactivity series?

  • Potassium: Electrolysis
  • Sodium: Electrolysis
  • Calcium: Electrolysis
  • Magnesium: Electrolysis
  • Aluminium: Electrolysis
  • Zinc: Reduction by carbon
  • Iron: Reduction by carbon
  • Tin: Reduction by carbon
  • Lead: Reduction by carbon
  • Copper: Various chemical reactions
  • Silver: Various chemical reactions
  • Gold: Various chemical reactions
  • Platinum: Various chemical reactions
• What does the reactivity series of metals predict?

  How metals will react
• What is the arrangement of elements in a reactivity series?

  Most reactive at the top, least reactive at the bottom
• What do more reactive metals tend to do?

  Lose electrons and form positive ions
• How can one remember the order of the reactivity series?

  Using a silly sentence with first letters
• What observations help place elements in the reactivity series?

  • Reactions with water
  • Reactions with acids
  • Observations of hydrogen bubble production
• How does potassium react with water?

  Violently
• How does sodium react with water?

  Very quickly
• How does lithium react with water?

  Quickly
• How does calcium react with water?

  More slowly
• How does calcium react with dilute acids?

  Very quickly
• How does magnesium react with dilute acids?

  Quickly
• How does zinc react with dilute acids?

  More slowly
• How does iron react with dilute acids?

  More slowly than zinc
• How does copper react with dilute acids?

  Very slowly
• How does silver react with dilute acids?

  Barely reacts
• How does gold react with dilute acids?

  Does not react
• What does the speed of hydrogen bubble production indicate?

  • Quicker fizzing means more reactivity
  • Slower fizzing indicates less reactivity
• Why can aluminum be difficult to place in the reactivity series?

  Its protective oxide layer makes it appear less reactive
• What happens when the aluminum oxide layer is removed?

  Observations become more reliable
• Why are carbon and hydrogen included in the reactivity series?

  • They can be used to extract metals
  • Their reactivity helps in metal extraction processes
• Can zinc and iron be displaced from their oxides using carbon?

  Yes, but not using hydrogen
• Can copper be extracted using carbon or hydrogen?

  Yes