The reactivity series

• What's the order of the reactivity series

  Potassium SodiumLithiumCalciumMagnesium AluminiumCarbon ZincIronHydrogen CopperSilver Gold
• How do metal displacement reactions work?

  The more reactive metal will displace the less reactive metal from its compound
• What are the conditions in which iron rusts?

  Oxygen and water must be present for rusting to occur
• What's the barrier method?

  Coating iron with barriers that prevent iron from coming into contact with water and oxygen
• What's galvanisation?

  Putting a layer of zinc over the iron so no oxygen and water can pass through
• What's sacrificial corrosion?


  Putting a more reactive metal on the iron so it corrodes and provide protection and prevents the iron from being oxidised
• What's oxidation?


  Any reaction where a substance gains oxygen
• What's reduction?


  A reaction where a substance loses oxygen
• What's the oxidising agent?

  The substance that supplied oxygen
• What's the reducing agent?

  The substance that takes away the oxygen
• What's oxidation and reduction in terms of transfer of electrons

  Oxidation is the loss and reduction is the gain of electrons
• What's a redox reaction?

  When oxidation can't happen without reduction happening simultaneously
• Practical: Investigation metals reacting with acids

  Add 5cm3 of dilute hcl to three test tubes Add a 1cm length of magnesium ribbon to the first tube Use a lighted splint to test for any gases given offAdd a few pieces of iron filings to the seton test tube and zinc turnings to the third tube Repeat the experiment with dilute sulfuric acid