Metal Oxides and the reactivity series

• Oxidation


  Gain of oxygen
• Reduction


  Loss of oxygen
• Metals reacting


  1. Lose electrons

  2. Form positive ions (cations)
• Reactive metal


  Easily loses electrons
• Metals reacting with water

  1. Form metal hydroxide

  2. Produce hydrogen gas
• Metals reacting with water

  • Calcium + water = calcium hydroxide + hydrogen gas
• Metals reacting with dilute acids

  1. Produce metal salts

  2. Produce hydrogen gas
• Metals reacting with dilute acids

  • Magnesium + hydrochloric acid = magnesium chloride + hydrogen
• More reactive metals


  Displace less reactive metals from solutions of metal salts
• More reactive metals displacing less reactive metals

  • Magnesium + iron sulfate = magnesium sulfate + iron
• The Reactivity Series of Metals

  Potassium, Sodium, Lithium and Calcium react with cold water to give hydrogen & a metal hydroxide.

  
  

  Potassium, Sodium, Lithium, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron and Lead react with dilute acids to give a metal salt and hydrogen.

  
  

  Silver and Gold are so unreactive, they are found uncombined