Metals And Reactivity Series Flashcards
What is the order of the GCSE reactivity series?
Potassium
Sodium
Calcium
Magnesium
Aluminium
(Carbon)
Zinc
Iron
Tin
Lead
(Hydrogen)
Copper
Silver
Gold
Platinum
What are the observations in a reaction between potassium and cold water (8)
- Lilac flame produced
- Potassium melts into a tiny ball
- Potassium floats and spins on the surface of the water (most vigorously)
- Effervescence/fizzing
- Heat released (seen through steam)
- Potassium disappears quickly
- Colourless solution produced
- Crackles at the end/ chance to produce a small explosion
What are the observations in a reaction between sodium and cold water (6/7)
- Sodium melts into a tiny ball
- Sodium floats and spins on water surface (slightly less vigorously than potassium)
- Effervescence/fizzing
- Heat released (seen through steam)
- Disappears at the end
- Colourless solution formed
+7. Chance to ignite with an orange flame (depends on volume of metal)
What are the observations in a reaction between calcium and cold water (5)
- Sinks then rises
- Bubbles
- Heat released
- Ca disappears
- Colourless solution with a white precipitate (calcium hydroxide - slightly soluble)
What are the observations for the reaction of magnesium with oxygen?
- Bright white flame
- White solid
What are the observations for the reaction of iron with oxygen?
- Burns with orange sparks
- Black solid (iron 2)
- or orange-brown solid (iron 3)
What are the observations for the reaction of calcium with oxygen?
- Brick-red flame
- White solid
What are the observations for the reaction of sodium with oxygen?
- Orange-yellow flame
- White solid
What is the observation in a reaction between magnesium and cold water
A few bubbles of gas over a long period of time
What are the observations for the reaction of potassium with oxygen? (2)
- Lilac flame
- White solid
What are the observations in a reaction between magnesium and steam (3)
- Bright white light
- Heat given out
- White solid formed
What are the observations in a reaction between aluminium and steam (2)
Oxide layer must be removed
- Powdered aluminium reacts to give white solid
- Heat released
What are the observations in a reaction between zinc and steam (2)
- Powdered zinc reacts to form yellow solid which cools to white
- Heat released
What are the observations for the reaction of aluminium with oxygen? (2)
- Burns only when finely powdered
- White solid
What are the observations for the reaction of zinc with oxygen?
- yellow solid -> white on cooling
What are the observations for the reaction of copper with oxygen? (3)
- Glows red
- Blue-green flame
- Becomes covered with a black layer (Black Solid)
What is a displacement reaction?
When a more reactive metal takes the place of a less reactive metal in a compound
What is the observation in a reaction between iron and steam
powdered iron reacts to form a black solid
What is observed in displacement reactions with copper(II) sulfate? (3)
- Heat is released
- Red-brown solid copper is deposited
- Blue-green colour of copper ions fades
What is an ore?
A rock that contains a metal compound from which the metal can be extracted
When is reduction with carbon used over electrolysis when extracting metals?
When a metal is less reactive than carbon, but more reactive than hydrogen
What are the observations for the reaction of potassium with oxygen?
- Lilac flame
- White solid
What are the observations for the reaction of aluminium with oxygen?
(Burns only when finely powdered)
- White solid
What are the observations for the reaction of zinc with oxygen?
- Yellow solid -> White on cooling
