Metals & Reactivity Series

Question 1

What is the reactivity series?

Answer 1

Potassium - Puffins
Sodium - Scare
Calcium - Cows
Magnesium - Many
Aluminium - Angry
Zinc - Zookeepers
Iron - In
Copper - Carlow

Question 2

Why is potassium more reactive than sodium?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

What is the reaction of metals with cold water?

Answer 3

Metal + Water —-> Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen

Question 4

Reaction of sodium with cold water - Observations

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

Reaction of potassium with cold water - Observations

Answer 5

• Spins across the surface
• Burns with a lilac flame
• Effervescence/fizzing
• Metal disappears
• Colourless alkaline solution forms
• Heat given out

Question 6

Reaction of calcium with cold water - Observations

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

What safety precautions are taken when reacting metals with cold water?

Answer 7

Safety screen, heat proof mats, large trough of water, goggles, small piece of metal, gloves and tweezers

Question 8

Are the solutions that result from the reaction of these metals with water acidic or alkaline?

Answer 8

Alkaline

Question 9

Devise and experiment to collect and identify the gas given off when calcium is reacted with water?

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Diagram of calcium reacting with cold water?

Answer 10

LOOK IN BOOK :D

Question 11

Diagram of magnesium reacting with steam?

Answer 11

LOOK IN BOOK :D

Question 11

What is the reaction of metals with steam?

Answer 11

Metal + Steam —–> Metal Oxide + Hydrogen

Question 12

Reaction of magnesium with steam- Observations

Answer 12

Magnesium reacts producing a bright white light and a white powder is formed.

Question 13

Reaction of aluminium with steam - Observations

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Reaction of zinc with steam - Observations

Answer 14

• Zinc glows
• Yellow powder forms which changes to white on cooling
• Heat given out

Question 15

Reaction of iron with steam - Observations

Answer 15

Iron reacts reversibly at red heat, forming tri-iron tetroxide, a black solid.

Question 16

Are all metal oxides acidic or Basic?

Answer 16

Basic

Question 17

What is a displacement reaction?

Answer 17

A more reactive metal will displace a less reactive metal from its salt solution

Question 18

What is the reaction of metals with oxygen?

Answer 18

Metal + Oxygen —-> Metal Oxide

Question 19

Reaction of calcium with oxygen - observations?

Answer 19

Is rapidly covered with an oxide layer and burns readily with a brick red flame, producing a white solid.

Question 20

Reaction of magnesium with oxygen - observations?

Answer 20

An oxide layer forms slowly when cold, but it burns easily with a bright white light to give a white ash when heated

Question 21

Reaction of aluminium with oxygen - observations?

Answer 21

Forms an oxide layer instantly when cold, protecting it from further reaction. Powered aluminium burns easily with white sparks, producing a white solid.

Question 22

Reaction of zinc with oxygen - observations?

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Reaction of iron with oxygen - observations?

Answer 23

Heated iron filings react with orange sparks producing a black solid.

Question 24

Reaction of Copper with oxygen - observations?

Answer 24

Does not burn but glows red. A blue-green flame is produced, and the metal becomes coated with a black layer of copper oxide.

Question 25

What is an example of a displacement reaction?
Iron + Copper Sulfate

Answer 25

Iron + Copper Sulfate —> Iron (ll) sulfate + Copper
Fe + CuSO4 —> FeSO4 + Cu
Fe(s) + Cu2+(aq) —> Fe2+(aq) + Cu(s)
blue solution —> Green + Brown

Question 26

How are displacement reaction experiments kept fair?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Why are polystyrene cups used in displacement reactions?

Answer 27

They are insulators which keep in heat and this can be further improved by adding a lid