Reactivity Series

Question 1

What is the order of the reactivity series?

Answer 1

Polly sells little chloe many apple crumbles. Zoe is the little hairy cousin’s sister’s GP.
Potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, carbon, zinc, iron, tin, hydrogen, copper, silver, gold, platinum.

Question 2

Reactions of metals with water

Answer 2

Metals calcium and above in the reactivity series will react vigorously with water. But metals magnesium and below will only react with steam

Question 3

Reactions of metals with HCl or H2SO4

Answer 3

With the same vol and conc of acid and also the same mass and surface area of metal, more reactive metals will produce more bubbles of hydrogen gas, faster.

Question 4

Displacement reactions

Answer 4

More reactive metals will react more strongly than less reactive metals and will displace them from their oxide because it will bond more strongly to it. If you add a reactive metal into a less reactive salt, the less reactive metal will be displaced. You can use them to figure out where the metal belongs on the reactivity series

Question 5

How does iron rust?

Answer 5

Iron corrodes easily and rusting happens when iron is in contact with oxygen and water. Iron gains oxygen to form iron (III) oxide, water then also becomes loosely bonded to form hydrated iron (III) oxide

Question 6

How do barrier methods prevent rust?

Answer 6

• Painting, coats the iron to protect it from water and oxygen, but can need redoing often.
• Oiling/greasing used when moving parts are involved

Question 7

How does sacrificial protection/galvanising protect iron from rust?

Answer 7

A metal higher in the reactivity series coats the iron, so it will be oxidised instead of the iron. When the iron is coating in zinc, it is called galvanising.

Question 8

What is oxidation?

Answer 8

The gain of oxygen and the loss of electrons

Question 9

What is the oxidising agent?

Answer 9

A substance that oxidises the metal and is itself reduced.

Question 10

What is reduction?

Answer 10

The loss of oxygen and the gain of electrons

Question 11

What is the reducing agent?

Answer 11

The substance that reduces the metal and is itself oxidised

Question 12

What is redox?

Answer 12

When oxidation and reduction take place at the same time in a reaction.

Question 13

Investigate reactions between acids and metals

Answer 13

1. Fill 3 test tubes with equal vols and conc of HCl or HSO4
2. Add Mg, Zn and Fe to test tubes (makes sure mass and surface area is equal)
3. R of r is confirmed by the rate that bubbles are given off
4. Use squeaky pop test to confirm hydrogen