Reactivity Series Flashcards
Define a metal
Metals are elements which lose electrons to form positive ions
Define a metallic bond
A metallic bond is the electrostatic forces of attraction formed between positive metal ions and a ‘sea’ of free-moving valence electrons
Why are alloys used over pure metals
- Alloys are harder and stronger
- Alloys do not corrode when reacting with oxygen and water
Define an alloy
An alloy is a mixture of a metal and one or more other elements
Name the reactivity series
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What are the properties of a metal ‘high up’ in the reactivity series
- Reacts quickly and vigorously
- Corrodes easily
- Loses electrons readily to form positive ions
Why are alloys harder and stronger than pure metals
- Atoms of added element have different size than atoms of pure metal
- This disrupts the orderly arrangement of atoms in pure metal
- Much harder for atoms to slide over one another without orderly arrangement of atoms
What are the properties of a metal ‘low down’ in the reactivity series
- React slowly
- Do not corrode easily
- Do not lose electrons readily to form positive ions
What is formed when a metal reacts with cold water
- Hydrogen gas
- Metal hydroxide
What is formed when a metal reacts with steam
- Hydrogen gas
- Metal oxide
Why does aluminium not react with water or steam
Aluminium is covered in a layer of non-porous aluminium oxide, which adheres strongly to the metal and prevents it from reacting
Which metals do not react with cold water or steam
- Aluminium
- Lead
- Copper
- Silver
- Gold
What forms when iron reacts with steam
- Hydrogen gas
- Iron (II,III) oxide (Fe3O4)
Why does aluminium not react at first with HCl, and what happens after
- Aluminium is covered in a layer of non-porous aluminium oxides, which adheres strongly to the metal and prevents it from reacting
- HCl will react with aluminium oxide to form water and soluble aluminium chloride
- Aluminium metal is exposed once oxide layer is washed away
- Reaction between acid and aluminium metal is rapid
Why does reaction between lead and HCl stop before completion
- Insoluble lead(II)chloride will form
- It will coat onto surface of lead metal and prevent further reaction between acid and metal
Give an example of a thermit reaction
A more reactive metal will displace a less reactive metal from its metal oxide