4.4.1 Reactivity of metals

Question 1

What is oxidation/reduction?

Answer 1

Oxidation - When a substance gains oxygen
Reducation - When a substance loses oxygen

Question 2

What is the reactivity series of metals? What are the trends in
reactivities of metals in reactions with acids/water?

Answer 2

The series shows the metals in order of their reactivity.
Metals above H2 in reactivity series react with acid to produce H2. The more reactive the metal is, the quicker and more violent reaction with acid occurs.
Metals below H2 don’t react with acids.
Not all metals above H2 react with water - mostly Group I and II metals. Aluminium is the borderline case.

Question 3

What is a displacement reaction?

Answer 3

A reaction where a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from a compound

Question 4

How are unreactive metals found in Earth?

Answer 4

In their natural state (well, they are unreactive…)

Question 5

How can metals less reactive than carbon be
extracted?

Answer 5

Reduction with carbon. Carbon displaces the metal in a metal oxide - gets oxidised to carbon oxides. Metal from the metal oxide gets reduced to the pure metal.

Question 6

How are metals more reactive than carbon extracted?

Answer 6

By electrolysis

Question 7

How are oxidation and reduction defined in terms of
electron transfer ?

Answer 7

Oxidation – loss of electrons Reduction – gain of electrons