Reactivity Series Flashcards
Write down the reactivity series in decreasing order of reactivity
Potassium Sodium Lithium Calcium Magnesium Aluminum (Carbon) Zinc Iron Tin Lead (Hydrogen) Copper Silver Gold Platinum
Copper (II) oxide is ________ in colour
Copper metal is ________ in colour
Black
Reddish-brown
The reaction between a metal and a metal oxide is called ________
Example:
Competition reaction
Mg + CuO
Why is carbon included in the reactivity series?
Carbon is a good reducing agent and therefore used to extract metals below it in the reactivity series from their metal oxides
Metals above carbon can be extracted by electrolysis
Why is hydrogen included in the reactivity series?
Metals above hydrogen can react with acids and displace the hydrogen
Metals below hydrogen have no reaction with acids and water
Ferrous sulphate is ________ in colour
Zinc sulphate is ________ in colour
Silver nitrate is ________ in colour
Light green
Colorless
Colorless
Write the general equation for the reaction between a metal and cold water
Metal + cold water ➡ Metal hydroxide (aq) + hydrogen gas
Write the general equation for the reaction between a metal and steam
Metal + steam ➡ Metal oxide(s) + hydrogen gas
Why can MgO not react with cold water?
Because Mg(OH)₂ is insoluble and coats the Mg metal preventing water from reacting with it
What compound is formed when iron reacts with steam?
Fe₃O₄ - darker grey
What precaution should be taken when using a delivery tube to collect hydrogen?
If you stop heating while the delivery tube is under water, the water will be sucked back into the hot tube which results in it cracking
What variables should be kept constant when a metal reacts with a dilute acid?
Volume and concentration of the acid
The no of moles of the metal
The surface area of the metal (affects the speed at which heat is given out)
What is the formula for rust?
Fe₂O₃.xH₂O
What are the methods used to prevent rusting?
- Barrier method
- Galvanising
- Sacrificial protection
