reactivity series

• What happens when metals react in terms of electrons?

  They lose electrons to form positive ions
• What is produced when potassium reacts with water?

  Potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas
• How does sodium's reaction with water compare to potassium's?

  Sodium reacts less rapidly than potassium
• What alkali is produced when lithium reacts with water?

  Lithium hydroxide
• How does calcium's reaction with water compare to potassium, sodium, and lithium?

  Calcium reacts fairly rapidly but less than potassium
• What is produced when calcium reacts with water?

  Calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas
• What trend is observed in the reactivity of metals with water?

  Reactivity decreases as you move down the list
• Which metals do not react with water at room temperature?

  Magnesium, zinc, iron, and copper
• Why can't potassium, sodium, or lithium be reacted with acid?

  They would react too vigorously and dangerously
• How does calcium react with dilute acid?

  Extremely vigorously
• How does magnesium's reaction with dilute acid compare to zinc's?

  Magnesium reacts more rapidly than zinc
• What is the reactivity of iron with dilute acid?

  Iron reacts slowly
• What is the reactivity of copper with dilute acid?

  Copper does not react
• What is the reactivity series for metals based on their reactions with water and acids?

  • Potassium: very rapid with water
  • Sodium: rapid with water
  • Lithium: slower with water
  • Calcium: fairly rapid with water
  • Magnesium: reacts with acids
  • Zinc: reacts with acids, less than magnesium
  • Iron: slow reaction with acids
  • Copper: no reaction with acids
• Which non-metals are usually included in the reactivity series?

  Carbon and hydrogen
• What determines how rapidly a metal reacts?

  Its ability to lose electrons and form ions
• How does the position of metals in the reactivity series relate to their ability to form positive ions?

  Higher metals readily form positive ions
• What is the significance of the reactivity series in chemistry?

  It helps predict reactions between metals
• How can the reactivity series be constructed?

  By testing metals with water and acids