Metals and Reactivity Series Flashcards
Reactions of potassium and sodium when heated in air?
K - burns with a lilac flame
Na - burns with a bright yellow flame
Reaction of Ca, Mg, Al and Zn when burned in air?
Ca - burns with a brick red flame
Mg - burns with a bright white flame leaving white ash
Al - powdered aluminium burns with white sparks leaving a white solid
Zn - burns leaving a yellow solid which changes to white when cooled
Reaction of Fe and Cu when heated in air?
Fe - iron fillings burn with yellow/orange sparks forming a black solid
Cu - sheets of red brown copper glows red and forms black layer of copper oxide
Reaction of K and Na with cold water
K - floats, moves rapidly around surface, bursts into lilac flame, colourless solution formed
Na - floats , moves rapidly around surface, Na melts and forms sphere of molten metal, colourless solution formed
Reaction of Ca and Mg with cold water
Ca - Ca granules will sink initially then rises, effervescence, beaker feels warm, Ca disappears
Mg - very few bubbles are observed even after leaving for several days
Al, Zn, Fe and Cu have no reaction
Reaction of Mg and Al with steam
Mg - produces a very bright white light, white powder remains
Al - form a white powder
Reaction of Zn and Fe with steam
Zn - glows as steam is passed over producing a yellow powder, changes to white powder
Fe - form a black solid
How do metals react easily?
Related to tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions. More reactive metals have a greater tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions. The further the outer electron is from the nucleus then the more easily it is lost and the more reactive the metal is.
Reactivity series from most to least reactive
Potassium
Sodium
Calcium
Magnesium
Aluminium
Zinc
Iron
Copper
What is a displacement reaction?
Which a more reactive metals have takes the place of a less reactive metal in a compound
What is an ore?
A rock that contains a metal compound from which the metal can be extracted
What are the two ways to obtain a metal from its ore?
Electrolysis or reduction using carbon
What is phytomining?
The use of plants to absorb metal compounds from soil as part of metal extraction
Summary of phytomining steps
- Metal removed from ore and enters the plant
- Plants are harvested, dried and then burned to produce an ash, which is rich in metal compounds from soil
- Acid such as sulfuric acid is added to the ash and insoluble metal compounds react to form a solution containing soluble copper compounds
- Metal can then be obtained by adding scrap iron to the solution and a displacement reaction will occur
What is a redox reaction?
One substance in a reaction loses electrons (oxidation) while another gains them (reduction)
