Reactivity Series

• What is the order of the reactivity series

  • Potassium
  • Sodium
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Aluminium
  • Zinc
  • Iron
  • Copper
• What color flame does potassium burn with?

  Lilac
• What is formed when potassium reacts with oxygen?

  A white solid
• What happens to potassium's surface when freshly cut?

  It tarnishes quickly
• Write the reaction equation for potassium burning in air.

  4K + O₂ -> 2K₂O
• What color flame does sodium burn with?

  Yellow/orange
• What is formed when sodium reacts with oxygen?

  A white solid
• What happens to sodium's surface when freshly cut?

  It tarnishes quickly
• Write the reaction equation for sodium burning in air.

  4Na + O₂ -> 2Na₂O
• What color flame does calcium burn with?

  Brick red
• What is formed when calcium reacts with oxygen?

  A white solid
• How does calcium react when freshly cut?

  It forms an oxide layer slowly
• Write the reaction equation for calcium burning in air.

  2Ca + O₂ -> 2CaO
• What color flame does magnesium burn with?

  Bright light
• What is formed when magnesium reacts with oxygen?

  A white solid
• How does magnesium react when freshly cut?

  It forms an oxide layer slowly
• Write the reaction equation for magnesium burning in air.

  2Mg + O₂ -> 2MgO
• How does aluminum burn?

  Only when finely powdered
• What is formed when aluminum reacts with oxygen?

  A white solid
• How does aluminum react when freshly cut?

  It forms an oxide layer slowly
• Write the reaction equation for aluminum burning in air.

  4Al + 3O₂ -> 2Al₂O₃
• What color solid does zinc form when burned?

  A yellow solid
• What happens to the zinc solid when cooled?

  It becomes white
• How does zinc react when freshly cut?

  It forms an oxide layer slowly
• Write the reaction equation for zinc burning in air.

  2Zn + O₂ -> 2ZnO
• What color solid does iron form when burned?

  A black solid
• What happens when iron is in the form of fillings?

  It burns with orange sparks
• How does iron react when freshly cut?

  It forms an oxide layer slowly
• Write the reaction equation for iron burning in air.

  3Fe + 2O₂ -> Fe₃O₄
• What happens to copper when it reacts with oxygen?

  It does not burn
• What is formed when copper reacts with oxygen?

  A black solid
• How does copper react when freshly cut?

  It forms an oxide layer slowly
• Write the reaction equation for copper burning in air.

  2Cu + O₂ -> 2CuO
• What happens when K reacts with water

  • Floats
  • Moves
  • Lilac flame
  • fizzes
  • heat
  • small explosion
  • colourless solution produced
  • eventually disappears
  • 2K+2H2O -> 2KOH+H2
• What happens when Na reacts with water

  • floats
  • moves
  • melts and forms a ball
  • fizzes
  • gas
  • heat
  • eventually disappears
  • produces a colourless solution
  • 2Na+ 2H2O -> 2NaOH +H2
• What happens when Ca reacts with water

  • Fizzes
  • gas
  • sinks then rises
  • heat
  • eventually disappears
  • colourless/milky solution produced
  • Ca+ 2H2O -> CaCOH2 + H2
• What happens when Mg reacts with water

  • very slow reaction
  • few bubbles
  • Mg+ 2H2O -> Mg(OH)2 + H2
• How does Mg react with steam

  • Burns with a bright white light
  • forms a white solid
  • heat
  • My+ H2O -> MgO +H2
• How does Al react with steam

  • No reaction in foil form, unless protective layer of aluminium oxide is removed
  • white solids formed
  • heat
  • 2Al+3H2O -> Al2O3 +3H2
• How does Zn react with steam

  • Forms a yellow solid which changes to white when cooled
  • heat
  • Zn+H2O-> ZnO+H2