Reactivity of Metals

Question 1

Describe an experiment you can carry out to determine the reactivity of a metal using dilute hydrochloric acid.

Answer 1

• Place a piece of the metal you want to investigate the reactivity of into the acid - the more reactive the metal is, the faster the reaction with the acid will occur
• Very reactive metals will fizz vigorously, less reactive metals will bubble a little, and unreactive metals will not react with the acid at all

Question 2

Why would powdered metals react with an acid much faster than lumps of metal?

Answer 2

They have larger surface areas

Question 3

Reactions of metals with water can show the reactivity of metals.

Give some examples of metals that would react vigorously with water.

Answer 3

Potassium, sodium, lithium and calcium

Question 4

Reactions of metals with water can show the reactivity of metals.

Give some examples of metals that would not react much with cold water but would react with steam.

Answer 4

Magnesium, zinc, iron

Question 5

Give an example of a metal that would not react with either water or steam.

Answer 5

Copper