Properties of Period 3 Elements and their Oxides Flashcards
Appearance and physical properties of sodium?
Metallic, shiny, conducts electricity (worst conductor out of the metals)
Reaction of sodium with acid?
Na + acid → H2 + salt
Reaction of sodium with cold water - equation and observations?
Vigorous reaction, floats on water, fizzes, melts due to -ΔH of the reaction.
NaOH is pH 13-14.
2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH +H2
Reaction of sodium with oxygen (equation and
observations)?
Bright yellow flame, forms white powder of Na2O
2Na + ½ O2 → Na2O
Appearance and physical properties of magnesium?
Metallic, shiny, conducts electricity (between Na and Al in terms of how well it does).
Reaction of Mg with cold water (observations and equation)?
Very slow reaction. pH = 10 as Mg(OH)2 is sparingly soluble
Mg + 2H2O → H2 + Mg(OH)2
Reaction of Mg with steam (observations and equation)?
Much faster.
Mg + H2O → MgO + H2
Reaction of Mg with oxygen (observations and equation)?
Bright white flame, forms white powder of MgO
2Mg + O2 → 2MgO
Appearance and physical properties of aluminium?
Metallic, shiny, best conductor of electricity in period 3
Reaction of Al with cold water?
No reaction
Reaction of Al with oxygen (equation and observations)?
Heat and lower into jar of O2 → bright flame, forms white powder.
4Al + 3O2 → 2Al2O3
Why is aluminium considered unreactive even though the metal itself is reactive?
Covered by Al2O3 from where oxygen has oxidised the surface of the Al.
Al2O3 is unreactive. Makes it useful for saucepans, window frames etc.
If Al2O3 is scratched off, Al reacts rapidly with air to form a new coat.
Appearance and physical properties of silicon?
Semimetal (metalloid), semiconductor (conducts electricity to an extent and in certain conditions)
Reaction of silicon with oxygen (observations and
equation)?
Heat strongly
Si + O2 → SiO2 (white powder)
Appearance and physical properties of phosphorus?
Non-metal, low m.p. And b.p., does not conduct electricity.
Red Phosphorus as a crystal structure
White Phosphorus as P4
Reaction of phosphorous in excess oxygen (observations and equation)?
Red P needs to be heated significantly first, white P ignites spontaneously in air
Phosphorus pentoxide (white crystalline solid)
formed
4P + 5O2 → P4O10
Reaction of phosphorous in limited oxygen (observations and equation)?
Incomplete combustion: colourless liquid phosphorus trioxide forms.
4P + 3O2 → P4O6
Appearance and physical properties of sulfur?
Non-metal, low mp and bp, does not conduct electricity
Reaction of sulfur with oxygen (observations and equation)?
Need to heat and lower into a jar of oxygen.
Colourless gas sulfur dioxide formed. Some SO3 also formed.
S + O2 → SO2