Reactivity series

Question 1

what is the order of the reactivity series

Answer 1

potassium

sodium

calcium

magnesium

aluminium

(carbon)

zinc

iron

(hydrogen)

copper

silver

gold

Question 2

describe the reaction between potassium and cold water

Answer 2

the most violent and vigorous reaction cuz its at the tip of the reactivity series

potassium melts and floats - moving rapidly on the surface of water

a lilac flame will also ignite

potassium + water MAKES potassium hydroxide + hydrogen

Question 2

descirbe the reaction between sodium and cold water

Answer 2

less vigorous reaction

sodium melts to form a ball that moves around pn the suface and fizzes rapidly before disapearing

sodium + water MAKES sodium hydroxide + hydrogen

Question 3

describe the reaction between the 3 most reactive metals and dilute HCL

Answer 3

potassium, sodium and calcium are very reactive so this reaction can ignite

causing an explosion so its to dangerous to be done in a school lab

Question 4

which metals int he reactivity series will react with dilute acids

Answer 4

only metals above hydrogen

magnesium - fast reaction

zinc and iron - slightly fast

copper, silver and gold - no reaction as its below hydrogen

Question 5

how could the order of the reactivity be deduced from experimental results?

Answer 5

in a displacement reaction, the more reactive metal will replace the less reactive metal in a compound

a less vigorous and slow reaction will usually mean a lower reactivity

whereas lots of effervescence and quicker reactions are usually higher in the reactivity series

only metals above hydrogen will react with dilute acids