The reactivity series

Question 1

What are ores?

Answer 1

Ores are rocks from which it is economical to extract the metals that they contain.

Question 2

What does it mean when they say these metals have been oxidised?

Answer 2

Most metal ores are chemically bonded to other elements in compounds. Many of these metals have reacted with the oxygen in the air. That is why we say that these metals have been oxidised.

Question 3

What is the meaning of the reactivity series in chemistry?

Answer 3

The reactivity series is a list of metals in order of their reactivity. With the most reactive metals at the top and the least reactive metals at the bottom.

Question 4

How do we extract metals from metal oxides?

Answer 4

The metal oxides must be reduced.

Question 5

What determines a metals reactivity?

Answer 5

When metal atoms react with other substances such as water or acids, they form positive ions. It is the strength of the tendency to lose electrons that determines a metals reactivity.

Question 6

What is the order of reactivity of metals?

Answer 6

1. Potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum with water: fizz giving off hydrogen gas, leaving an alkaline solution of metal hydroxide. With acid: explodes.
2. Zinc and Iron with water: very slow reaction. With acid: fizz giving off hydrogen gas and forming a salt.
3. Tin and lead with water: slight reaction with steam. With acid: reacts slowly with warm acid.
4. Copper, silver and gold with water: no reaction even with steam. With acid: no reaction.