3.2 The metal reactivity series Flashcards
(VR) very reactive metals
K, Na, Li, Ba, Ca
(R) reactive metals
Mg, Al, Zn, Cr, Fe
(SR) somewhat reactive metals
Co, Ni, Sn, Pb
(NR) non reactive metals
Cu*, Ag, Au, Pt
metal atoms
LOSE electrons to form CATIONS
nonmetal atoms
GAIN electrons to form ANIONS
VR metal + water
metal hydroxide + H2
R metal + steam
metal oxide + H2
metal (excluding Cu) + dilute acid
metal salt + H2
metal (including Cu) + oxygen
metal oxide
*R and SR require heat
displacement reaction
more reactive metal displaces less reactive metal
(reactivity trend) decreasing ionisation energy =
increases reactivity
(reactivity trend) increasing atomic radius =
increases reactivity
(reactivity trend) decreasing electronegativity =
increases reactivity
OIL RIG
oxidation is loss,
reduction is gain of electrons
oxidation number is:
atom charge, i.e. number of electrons an atom can donate/gain to form a bond
what are galvanic cells
a battery where chemical potential energy is converted to electricity through REDOX
features of anodes
(1) charge
(2) process
(3) reductant or oxidant
(4) mass of electrode
(5) concentration of ions in electrolyte
(1) anode is negatively charged
(2) oxidation occurs at anode (loss)
(3) contains the reductant
(4) mass of electrode decreases
(5) concentration of ions decreases
features of cathodes
(1) charge
(2) process
(3) reductant or oxidant
(4) mass of electrode
(5) concentration of ions in electrolyte
(1) positively charged
(2) reduction occurs at cathode (gain)
(3) contains oxidant
(4) mass of electrode increases
(5) concentration of ions increases
what is a half cell
a cell containing metal and a solution with its ions
electrode meaning
conductor of a cell connected to wire
electrolyte meaning
solution with constantly holds and releases ions
salt bridge definition and function
electrolyte or electrolyte gel that allows movement of ions to maintain balance of charges
(1) positive ions from anode and bridge flow to cathode
(2) negative ions from cathode and bridge flow to anode
direction of electron flow
anode to cathode
inert electrodes
(1) when to use
(2) process
(1) when a half cell doesn’t have a conducting solid/electrode
(2) allows reaction to occur on surface area
standard cell notation for copper and silver galvanic cells
Cu(s) | Cu2+ (aq) || Ag+(aq) | Ag(s)
explain standard cell notation
ANODE || CATHODE
trode | lyte || lyte | trode
*an inert electrode lies on the outside
trode | lyte || lyte, lyte | trode
cell potential is:
