Metals Flashcards
Properties of metals
PHYSICAL
1. Good conductors of heat and electricity
2. High densities, melting points and boiling points
3. Malleable and ductile
CHEMICAL
1. Lose electrons to form positive ions in chemical reactions
2. Form ionic compounds with non-metals
3. React with oxygen to form basic or amphoteric oxides
4. React with dilute acids to form a salt and hydrogen
Why are pure metals not widely used in industry?
- Pure metals are soft. In a pure metal, the atoms are packed regularly in layers. The layers of atoms can slide over one another easily when a force is applied
- Pure metals may react with air and water and wear away or corrode easily
Why are metals often used as alloys?
- To make metals harder and stronger
- To improve the appearance of metals
- To lower the melting points of metals
- To make metals more resistant to corrosion
How to determine the order of reactivity series? Arrangement?
- Reaction of metals with cold water or steam
- Reaction of metals with dilute hydrochloric acid
In the reactivity series, metals are arranged from the most reactive to the least reactive
Reactivity series
Potassium Sodium Calcium Magnesium Zinc Iron Lead Hydrogen Copper Silver
What are alloys?
A mixture of metals with one or a few other elements
STEEL Iron, carbon Harder and stronger than pure iron higher carbon: construction lower carbon: making car bodies as they are more malleable STAINLESS STEEL Iron, carbon, chromium, nickel Hard and resistant to corrosion Cutlery SOLDER Lead (70%), tin (30%) low melting point Joining metals PEWTER Lead (30%), tin (70%) Does not corrode easily Decorative ornaments Brass Copper, zinc Hard and does not corrode easily Musical instruments Bronze Copper, tin Hard and does not corrode easily Medals
Reaction
metal + cold water —> metal hydroxide + hydrogen
metal + steam —> metal oxide + hydrogen
metal + dilute hydrochloric acid —> metal chloride + hydrogen
Observations of reactivity series for cold water
POTASSIUM Reacts very violently Enough heat is produced to cause hydrogen gas to ignite and explode Lilac flame observed SODIUM Reacts vigorously Hydrogen gas may ignite and catch fire Yellow flame observed CALCIUM Reacts readily/quickly MAGNESIUM Reacts very slowly
Observations of reactivity series of steam
POTASSIUM SODIUM CALCIUM Reacts violently and explosively MAGNESIUM Reacts vigorously A bright white glow is produced A white solid is formed ZINC Reacts readily Forms yellow solid which turns white when cooled IRON Reacts slowly A black solid is formed (iron(ii/iii) oxide)
Observations of reactivity series of dilute hydrochloric acid
POTASSIUM SODIUM Reacts violently and explosively Effervescence of colourless gas observed CALCIUM Reacts vigorously Effervescence of colourless gas observed MAGNESIUM Reacts rapidly Effervescence of colourless gas observed ZINC Reacts moderately fast Effervescence of colourless gas observed IRON Reacts slowly Slight effervescence of colourless gas observed LEAD Reacts very slowly No apparent reaction No bubbles in colourless gas observed
How to obtain metals from their ores? Methods? And which methods for what?
- Concentrating the metal ore
- Extracting crude metal from the ore
- Refining crude metal
- Reduction with carbon or carbon monoxide
- Electrolysis (Using electricity to decompose the molten ore to the metal)
- Occurs naturally uncombined
ELECTROLYSIS Potassium Sodium Calcium Magnesium Aluminium REDUCTION WITH CARBON OR CARBON MONOXIDE Zinc Iron Lead Copper OCCURS NATURALLY UNCOMBINED Silver Gold
Blast furnace and haematite stuff
BLAST FURNACE
1. Carbon in coke reacts with oxygen from hot air to form carbon dioxide
2. Carbon dioxide that rises up the furnace reacts with coke to form carbon monoxide
3. Carbon monoxide reduces the iron(iii) oxide from haematite to form molten iron and carbon dioxide
Molten iron sinks to the bottom of the furnace
Carbon dioxide escapes as hot waste gases from the top of the furnace with nitrogen and carbon monoxide
4. Limestone that was added at the top of the furnace decomposes under heat to form calcium oxide and carbon dioxide
5. Calcium oxide reacts with sand to form molten slag
Slag is less dense than iron and floats on top of molten iron
High: slag
Low: iron
HAEMATITE
Coke
Iron(iii) oxide + impurities (sand +clay)
haematite + carbon monoxide —> iron + carbon dioxide
Rusting and Corrosion
RUSTING
The corrosion of iron
Presence of air (oxygen) and water
iron + water + oxygen —> hydrated iron(iii) oxide (rust)
CORROSION
The gradual destruction of any metal due to the reaction of water, air or other chemicals
Electroplating
Involves coating iron with a layer of another metal such as chromium, silver or copper, using electricity
Rust Preventions
- Painting
- Oiling or greasing
- Plastic coating
- Tin-plating
- Chrome-plating