Reactivity series - SC11 Flashcards
Reactivity series from most reactive to least - with symbols
Potassium (K)
Sodium (Na)
Calcium (Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)
Aluminium (Al)
Carbon (C)
Zinc (Zn)
Iron (Fe)
Copper (Cu)
Silver (Ag)
Gold (Au)
What is the method of extraction for K, Na, Ca, Mg and Al
Using electrolysis of molten compounds
What is the method of extraction for Zn, Fe and Cu
Heat ore with carbon
what is an ore?
a rock that contains metal oxide
What is the method of extraction for Ag and Au
Uncombined elements.
What is the tendency of metal atoms to form cations in more reactive elements
They more easily lose electrons to form metal cations compared to less reactive elements — all elements experience oxidation
What is the reaction of water with K, Na and Ca?
All react with cold water to form HYDROGEN GAS and METAL HYDROXIDE
What is the reaction of water with Mg, Zn, Fe and Al?
Reacts slowly with cold water but readily with steam to form hydrogen and metal oxide
What is the reaction of water with Cu, Ag and Au?
They do not react with water
What is the reaction of dilute acid with K and Na?
React violently to form salt and hydrogen
What is the reaction of dilute acid with Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe and Al?
Reacts slowly to form salt + hydrogen
What is the reaction of dilute acid with Cu, Ag and Au?
Do not react
Reactivity series from least to most reactive with symbols?
Gold (Au)
Silver (Ag)
Copper (Cu)
– Hydrogen (H)—
Iron (Fe)
Zinc (Zn)
— carbon (C)—-
Aluminium (Al)
Magnesium (Mg)
Calcium (Ca)
Sodium (Na)
Potassium (K)
why are redox reactions displacement reactions?
redox is oxidation and reduction, whereby there is loss of electrons (oxidation) and gain (reduction) - this hence means one element will be displaced
Explain the reactivity series in terms of the tendency of different metal atoms to form cations?
the more reactive the element the more likely they are to form metal cations
Which elements are found uncombined in the earth’s crust
gold, silver, copper, platinum
How and why are ores extracted via electrolysis?
- cheaper to electrolyse than melt (due to energy costs from heating elements with high melting points)
- more reactive than carbon
What are 2 biological methods of metal extraction
bioleaching and photoextraction
what are the disadvantages of phytoextraction + bioleaching
very slow
what are the advantages of phytoextraction + bioleaching
conserves supplies of higher grade ores and no harmful gases are produced
what are the advantages of bioleaching
doesn’t require high temperatures
what are the disadvantages of bioleaching
toxic substances
what are the advantages of phytoextraction
can extract metals from contaminated soils
what are the disadvantages of phytoextraction
more expensive than mining ores and growing plants is dependant on weather conditions
