Reactivity series

Question 1

The order of reactivity can be determined by

Answer 1

Adding acid to different metals and observing the rate of reaction
Water can be used to test the relative reactivity of metals. However, many metals are too low in the reactivity series to react with water

Question 2

A metal will displace another metal from its oxide that is

Answer 2

lower in the reactivity series

Question 3

A metal will also displace another metal from its salt that is

Answer 3

lower in the reactivity series

Question 4

Order of reactivity series

Answer 4

Potassium
Sodium
Lithium
Calcium
Magnesium
Aluminium
Zinc
Iron
Copper
Silver
Gold

Question 5

Iron rusts when

Answer 5

water and oxygen are present

Question 6

Barrier methods

Answer 6

Rusting may be prevented by stopping the water and oxygen getting to the iron with a barrier of grease, oil, paint or plastic.

Question 7

Galvanising

Answer 7

(coating in zinc) also prevents water and oxygen getting to the iron, but with galvanising even if the barrier is broken the more reactive zinc corrodes before the less reactive iron. During the process, the zinc loses electrons to form zinc ions.

Question 8

Sacrificial protection

Answer 8

Zinc blocks are attached to iron boat hulls and underground pipelines. Zinc is more reactive than iron, so oxygen in the air reacts with the zinc to form a layer of zinc oxide instead of the iron.

Question 9

Oxidiation

Answer 9

Oxidation is the loss of electrons.
Another definition of oxidation is the gain of oxygen. For example if carbon combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, the carbon is being oxidised.

Question 10

Reduction

Answer 10

Reduction is the gain of electrons
Another definition of reduction is the loss of oxygen. For example when aluminium oxide is broken down to produce aluminium and oxygen, the aluminium is being reduced.

Question 11

Redox

Answer 11

A reaction involving oxidation and reduction

Question 12

Oxidising agent

Answer 12

A substance that gives oxygen or removes electrons (it is itself reduced).

Question 13

Reducing agent

Answer 13

A substance that takes oxygen or gives electrons (it is itself oxidised).

Question 14

Metals which are above hydrogen in the reactivity series will react with dilute hydrochloric or sulfuric acid to produce

Answer 14

A salt and hydrogen - displacement reaction

Question 15

Metals which are above hydrogen in the reactivity series will react with dilute hydrochloric or sulfuric acid- observations

Answer 15

there is a rapid fizzing
the gas pops with a lighted splint, showing the gas is hydrogen.
the reaction mixture becomes warm as heat is produced (exothermic).
the magnesium disappears to leave a colourless solution of magnesium chloride.