Chemistry In Society #1: Metals Flashcards
What does each atom in a metal do?
Loses its outer electrons to form positive ions
What do these positive metal ions do?
They form a regular, 3 dimensional lattice of positively charged ions
The outer electrons of metal ions can be described as… why?
Delocalised
They are not attached to a particular atom and are free to move around
What does the electrostatic attraction do positive metal ions for the delocalised electrons do?
They BIND the positive ions together
What is electric current?
A flow of charged particles (ions, electrons)
Why can metals conduct electricity?
Because electrons can flow through them without chemical changes taking place
Why is electrolysis the opposite case of metals conducting electricity?
Electrons cannot flow through without chemical changes taking place
What is the reactivity series?
A list of metals in order of reactivity, eg with oxygen, water, and dilute acids
What metals do not react?
Gold, silver
What metals will combine with oxygen when heated?
All ABOVE silver
What is the equation for metals combining with oxygen when heated?
Metal + oxygen -> metal oxide
The higher the metal is in the series,
The more violent the reaction
Metals high in the table are good at…
Losing electrons, therefore are more reactive
What metals react with water?
All above ALUMINIUM
What is the equation for metal reacting with water?
Metal + water -> metal hydroxide + hydrogen
What metals react with a DILUTE ACID?
All above copper
What is the word equation for metals reacting with a dilute acid?
Metal + acid -> salt + hydrogen
Oxidation reaction
One in which electrons are lost or oxygen is gained
Reduction reaction
One in which electrons are gained
What are redox reactions
Ones which involve both reduction and oxidation taking place at the same time
What do you do if the ion-electron equations do not contain equal numbers of electrons?
Balance them. Multiply one or both of the ion-electron equations
What is a displacement reaction?
It involves the formation of a metal from a solution containing its ions by reaction with a metal higher in the ECS
How do you know where to place hydrogen in the ECS?
According to its reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid
Metals can displace hydrogen ions to
Produce hydrogen gas