3.1 Metals

Question 1

What are common properties of metals?

Answer 1

Shiny, grey (usually).
Malleable. (can be worked into a shape).
Strong.
Conduct electricity and heat.
Wide range of melting and boiling points.

Question 2

What is a metallic bond?

Answer 2

Metallic bonds are the electrostatic force of attraction between positively charged ions and delocalised ions.

Question 3

What are the most reactive metals on the periodic table?

Answer 3

The alkali metals are the most reactive metals on the periodic table.

Question 4

What happens when magnesium is placed under a blue flame?

Answer 4

It gives off a massive bright light.

Question 5

What is the product when a metal and oxygen react?

Answer 5

Metal + Oxygen = Metal Oxide

eg: Sodium + Oxygen = Sodium Oxide.

Question 6

What is the electrochemical series?

Answer 6

The Electrochemical Series shows the order of reactivity with the most reactive at the top and the least reactive at the bottom of the list.

Question 7

What is the product when a metal reacts with water?

Answer 7

Metal + Water = Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen

eg: Sodium + Water = Sodium Hydroxide + Hydrogen

Question 8

What happens when an alkali metal reacts with water?

Answer 8

Alkali metals react with water to produce heat, hydrogen gas, and the corresponding metal hydroxide. The heat produced by this reaction may ignite the hydrogen or the metal itself, resulting in a fire or an explosion.

Question 9

How do you test for hydrogen once metal hydroxide is produced?

Answer 9

Using a burning splint. The test tube will make a pop sound.

Question 10

What happens when a metal reacts with an acid?

Answer 10

A salt and hydrogen gas is made.
Metal + Acid = Salt + Hydrogen
eg: Sodium + Hydrochloric Acid = Sodium Chloride + Hydrogen

Question 11

How are ores formed?

Answer 11

Metals naturally react with oxygen/water/acid forming metal ores.

Question 12

Which metals can be extracted from heat alone?

Answer 12

Between gold - silver on the electrochemical series.

These would be, gold , mercury and silver.

Question 13

Which metals can be extracted by heat with carbon?

Answer 13

Between copper - zinc on the electrochemical series.

This would be Copper, Iron, Nickel, Tin, Lead, Hydrogen and Zinc.

Question 14

Which metals can be extracted through electrolysis?

Answer 14

Between aluminium - lithium on the electrochemical series.

This would be Aluminium, Magnesium, Sodium, Calcium, Potassium and Lithium.

Question 15

What is electrolysis?

Answer 15

A breakdown of a compound into its elements using electricity.

Question 16

Why is a D.C. power supply used?

Answer 16

A D.C. power supply is used to make sure that only one product is produced at each electrode.

Question 17

What is it meant when during electrolysis ‘opposites attract’?

Answer 17

Non-metals are attracted to the positive electrode. Metals are attracted to the negative electrode.

Non-metals turn into negative ions and metals turn into positive ions.

Question 18

What is oxidation?

Answer 18

Oxidation is the loss of electrons.

eg: Ca (s) —– > Ca2+(aq) + 2e-

Question 19

What is reduction?

Answer 19

Reduction is the gain of electrons.

eg: Cu2+(aq) + 2e- ——> Cu(s)

Question 20

What are redox reactions?

Answer 20

Both oxidation and reduction are taking place.

Question 21

How can an electrochemical cell be made?

Answer 21

A simple cell can be made by placing two metals in an electrolyte.

Question 22

What is an electrolyte?

Answer 22

Electrically conducting solutions containing ions are known as electrolytes.

Question 23

How do electrochemical cells obtain a high voltage?

Answer 23

The further apart the elements in the electrochemical series, the greater the voltage produced when they are used to make an electrochemical cell.

Question 24

What are half-cells?

Answer 24

Electricty can be produced in cells where atleast one of the half-cells does not involve metal ions/atoms.

A graphite rod can be used as an electrode in such half cells.

Question 25

How do electrons flow in a metal?

Answer 25

Electrons flow from metals higher in the E.S. to metals lower in the E.S.