Metals & Reactivity Series Flashcards
What is the reactivity series?
Potassium - Puffins
Sodium - Scare
Calcium - Cows
Magnesium - Many
Aluminium - Angry
Zinc - Zookeepers
Iron - In
Copper - Carlow
Why is potassium more reactive than sodium?
Potassium and sodium are both in group 1, so they both have one electron to lose to form a positive ion. Potassium is more reactive because it has a tendency to lose its outer electron easier compared to sodium, due to its bigger atomic radius.
What is the reaction of metals with cold water?
( Word Equation )
Metal + Water —-> Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen
Reaction of sodium with cold water - Observations
- Spins across the surface
- May ignite and burn with an orange flame
- Forms a molten ball
- Effervescence/fizzing (NOT GAS EVOLVED)
- Metal disappears
- Colourless alkaline solution forms
- Heat given out
Reaction of potassium with cold water - Observations
- Spins across the surface
- Burns with a lilac flame
- Effervescence/fizzing
- Metal disappears
- Colourless alkaline solution forms
- Heat given out
Reaction of calcium with cold water - Observations
- Calcium sinks and then rises
- Bubbles/fizzing
- Reaction gets faster as it proceeds
- Solution goes cloudy
- Calcium gets smaller/disappears
- Solution formed is alkaline
- Heat given out/ reaction vessel gets warmer
What safety precautions are taken when reacting metals with cold water?
Safety screen, heat proof mats, large trough of water, goggles, small piece of metal, gloves and tweezers
Are the solutions that result from the reaction of these metals with water acidic or alkaline?
Alkaline
Devise and experiment to collect and identify the gas given off when calcium is reacted with water?
A test tube could be placed over the funnel of the reacting calcium to collect the hydrogen and then a lighted splint could be placed inside the test tube to test. If positive you will hear a squeaky pop.
Diagram of calcium reacting with cold water?
LOOK IN BOOK :D
Diagram of magnesium reacting with steam?
LOOK IN BOOK :D
What is the reaction of metals with steam?
Metal + Steam —–> Metal Oxide + Hydrogen
Reaction of magnesium with steam- Observations
Magnesium reacts producing a bright white light and a white powder is formed.
Reaction of aluminium with steam - Observations
No reaction with aluminium foil unless the protective layer of aluminium oxide is removed.
The powdered form reacts, producing white aluminium oxide.
Heat is given out.
Reaction of zinc with steam - Observations
- Zinc glows
- Yellow powder forms which changes to white on cooling
- Heat given out
Reaction of iron with steam - Observations
Iron reacts reversibly at red heat, forming tri-iron tetroxide, a black solid.
Are all metal oxides acidic or Basic?
Basic
What is a displacement reaction?
A more reactive metal will displace a less reactive metal from its salt solution
What is the reaction of metals with oxygen?
Metal + Oxygen —-> Metal Oxide
Reaction of calcium with oxygen - observations?
Is rapidly covered with an oxide layer and burns readily with a brick red flame, producing a white solid.
Reaction of magnesium with oxygen - observations?
An oxide layer forms slowly when cold, but it burns easily with a bright white light to give a white ash when heated
Reaction of aluminium with oxygen - observations?
Forms an oxide layer instantly when cold, protecting it from further reaction. Powered aluminium burns easily with white sparks, producing a white solid.
Reaction of zinc with oxygen - observations?
Forms an oxide layer in the cold, protecting it from further reaction. Powdered zinc burns with a greenish flame producing a yellow solid that turns white when cooled.
Reaction of iron with oxygen - observations?
Heated iron filings react with orange sparks producing a black solid.
Reaction of Copper with oxygen - observations?
Does not burn but glows red. A blue-green flame is produced, and the metal becomes coated with a black layer of copper oxide.
What is an example of a displacement reaction?
Iron + Copper Sulfate
Iron + Copper Sulfate —> Iron (ll) sulfate + Copper
Fe + CuSO4 —> FeSO4 + Cu
Fe(s) + Cu2+(aq) —> Fe2+(aq) + Cu(s)
blue solution —> Green + Brown
How are displacement reaction experiments kept fair?
The amount of solution used should remain the same
The concentration of the acid in the solution should remain the same
The mass of each metal used should remain the same
Why are polystyrene cups used in displacement reactions?
They are insulators which keep in heat and this can be further improved by adding a lid
