reactivity series Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is the reactivity series?
A list of metals (and carbon & hydrogen) in order of how easily they lose electrons (how reactive they are).
Which two non-metals are used as reference points in the reactivity series?
Carbon and hydrogen.
Give an example of a metal that must be extracted using electrolysis.
Aluminium.
Which method is used to extract metals more reactive than carbon?
Electrolysis
Why is hydrogen a reference point?
It helps predict whether a metal will react with acids — metals above hydrogen react with acids.
Which gas is released when a metal reacts with acid?
Hydrogen gas (H₂).
Why is carbon a reference point?
It helps decide how metals are extracted — metals below carbon can be extracted using carbon.
Which method is used to extract metals less reactive than carbon?
Reduction using carbon.
What happens in a displacement reaction?
A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from a compound.
Magnesium + Copper sulfate → Magnesium sulfate + Copper
Magnesium is more reactive than copper.
So magnesium kicks out the copper from the copper sulfate
Is magnesium more reactive than copper?
Yes — magnesium is above copper in the reactivity series.
Give an example of a metal that can be extracted using carbon.
Iron.
Write the word equation for magnesium displacing copper from copper sulfate.
Magnesium + Copper sulfate → Magnesium sulfate + Copper
What is a displacement reaction?
It’s when a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its compound.
How do carbon and hydrogen help us in the reactivity series?
Carbon is used to extract metals from their ores, and hydrogen is used to compare which metals will react with acids.
🔨 Extract meaning in Chemistry:
Extract means to remove or obtain something (like a metal) from its natural source or compound.
ore meaning
An ore is a rock or mineral that contains a metal or metal compound that is economically worth extracting.
