Reactivity Series

Question 1

Order of reactivity series

Answer 1

potassium/ sodium/ lithium/ calcium/ magnesium/ aluminium/ zinc/ iron/ tin/ lead/ copper/ silver/ gold

Question 2

where is carbon placed in the reactivity series?

Answer 2

between aluminium and zinc

Question 3

where is hydrogen placed in the reactivity series?

Answer 3

between lead and copper

Question 4

Which metals react VIGOROUSLY to form metal salt and hydrogen?

Answer 4

potassium, sodium, lithium (alkali metals)

Question 5

What is the trend with the reaction with dilute acids from calcium to lead?

Answer 5

• react with decreasing vigour as you go down series

- form metal salt and hydrogen

Question 6

which metals do not react with dilute acids?

Answer 6

copper, silver, gold

Question 7

Which metals react VIGOROUSLY with cold water? what do they form?

Answer 7

potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium

- form solution of metal hydroxide and hydrogen

Question 8

Which metal reacts slowly with cold water? How does it react with steam?

Answer 8

magnesium

- burns in steam to form magnesium oxide and hydrogen

Question 9

Which metals do not react with cold water but react with steam?

Answer 9

aluminium, zinc, iron

- in steam they form metal oxide and hydrogen

Question 10

Which metals do not react with either cold water or steam?

Answer 10

tin, lead, copper, silver, gold

Question 11

What is rust?

Answer 11

corrosion of iron

Question 12

How is rust formed?

Answer 12

iron + water + oxygen ➡ hydrated iron oxide

Question 13

What are three types of protection against rust?

Answer 13

• barrier methods
• galvanising
• sacrificial protection

Question 14

Name four types of barrier methods

Answer 14

• paint
• oil
• grease
• plastic

Question 15

What is sacrificial protection?

Answer 15

a block of a more reactive metal placed on iron

Question 16

What is galvanising?

Answer 16

coat iron in zinc prevents water and oxygen reaching metal

Question 17

What is redox?

Answer 17

a reaction in which both reduction and oxidation takes place

Question 18

What is reduction?

Answer 18

• removal of oxygen

- gain of electrons

Question 19

What is a reducing agent?

Answer 19

a substance which is capable of reducing another substance

Question 20

How can a metal oxide be reduced?

Answer 20

by heating it with a metal that is higher in the reactivity series

Question 21

How are reduction reactions best carried out?

Answer 21

• in a crucible made of heat-resistant porcelain

- metal and oxide should be in powdered form

Question 22

What is oxidation?

Answer 22

• addition of oxygen

- loss of electrons

Question 23

What is an oxidising agent?

Answer 23

a substance which is capable of oxidising another substance