Chemical Changes Flashcards
List the reactivity series.
Potassium
Sodium
Lithium
Calcium
Magnesium
Aluminium
Carbon
Zinc
Iron
Hydrogen
Copper
Silver
Gold
What happens when a metal reacts with water?
Metal + water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen
What happens when a metal reacts with a dilute acid?
A salt and hydrogen are formed.
E.g. Magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen
How would a metal below hydrogen react with a dilute acid?
It wouldn’t be able to react.
What is oxidation and reduction?
Oxidation
Is
Loss
Reduction
Is
Gain
of electrons
What is a displacement reaction?
When an more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its compound.
What kind of reaction is electrolysis?
Displacement
Evaluate the differences between reduction by carbon and electrolysis.
Reduction by carbon can only be done if the metal is less reactive than carbon. Electrolysis is used if the metal is more reactive however it is more expensive as it uses electrical energy.
Why is aluminium so expensive?
Electrolysis is used to extract it.
What state do the electrolytes in electrolysis need to be in?
Molten or dissolved in water
Why does aluminium have to be molten?
It is insoluble
Why is aluminium oxide dissolved in cryolite?
The melting point of aluminium oxide is high so a lot of energy must be transferred to break its strong ionic bonds, and this is expensive and cryolite melts at a lower temperature.
What happens at the cathode and anode during the electrolysis of aluminium?
- Cathode: aluminium ions are reduced to form aluminium atoms. Al3+ + 3e- → Al
- Anode: oxide ions are oxidised and form oxygen gas. 2O2- → O2 + 4e-
What do acids form in aqueous solutions?
Hydrogen ions - H+
What do alkalis form in aqueous solutions?
Hydroxide ions - OH-