The Reactivity Series and Metals

Question 1

What are some properties of metals?

Answer 1

• They can be found in the Periodic Table
• They conduct electricity and energy
• They are strong and tough
• They are sonorous
• They are malleable (easily shaped) and ductile (they can be drawn into wires)
• They have high melting and boiling points

Question 2

What are some properties of non-metals?

Answer 2

• They can be found in the Periodic Table
• They are poor conductors of electricity and energy
• They are not strong or hard- wearing
• They are dull and brittle
• They have low melting and boiling points
• They have low densities

Question 3

What is the Reactivity Series?

Answer 3

Potassium [K]
Sodium [Na]
Calcium [Ca]
Magnesium [Mg]
Aluminium [Al]
(Carbon) [non-metal]
Zinc [Zn]
Iron [Fe]
Tin [Sn]
Lead [Pb]
(Hydrogen) [non-metal]
Copper [Cu]
Silver [Ag]
Gold [Au]

Question 4

What are ores?

Answer 4

Ores are naturally occurring rocks that contain metals or metal compounds in sufficient amounts to make it worthwhile extracting them.

Question 5

When do you extract metals by electrolysis?

Answer 5

If the metal is above carbon in the reactivity series.

Question 6

When do you extract metals by carbon?

Answer 6

When the metals are less reactive than carbon. Displacement reactions are used.

Question 7

How do you extract silver and gold?

Answer 7

Silver and gold can occur pure in the ground and do not need to be extracted.

Question 8

What are displacement reactions?

Answer 8

A more reactive metal will displace a less reactive metal from its compound.

Question 9

What are examples of displacement reaction?

Answer 9

potassium + copper sulfate → potassium sulfate + copper

zinc + silver sulfate → zinc sulfate + silver

lead + magnesium sulfate → lead + magnesium sulfate

Question 10

What is electrolysis?

Answer 10

When electricity splits up the ore into the separate elements that make it up.

Question 11

When do metals react with acids?

Answer 11

If the metal is above hydrogen in the reactivity series.

Question 12

What is the equation for metal’s reaction with acid?

Answer 12

Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen

Question 13

Give two examples of metal acid reactions.

Answer 13

zinc + sulfuric acid → zinc sulfate and hydrogen

sodium + hydrochloric acid → sodium chloride + hydrogen

Question 14

How could you prove a metal has properly reacted with the acid?

Answer 14

Hold a lit splint near the test tube, and you should hear a squeaky pop.

Question 15

What is the equation for oxygen and a metal?

Answer 15

Metal + Oxygen → Metal Oxide

Question 16

What is one rule about metal oxides?

Answer 16

They are all alkaline (pH above 7).

Question 17

What is the equation for metal oxides and acids?

Answer 17

Acid + Metal Oxide → Salt + Water

Question 18

Give three examples of metal oxides reacting with acids.

Answer 18

Copper oxide + hydrochloric acid → copper chloride + water

Zinc oxide + sulfuric acid → zinc sulfate + water

Magnesium oxide + nitric acid → magnesium nitrate + water

Question 19

What is one rule about the oxides of non-metals?

Answer 19

They are all acidic (pH below 7)

Question 20

What is the equation for non-metals and alkalis reacting?

Answer 20

Alkali + Non-metal oxide → Salt + Water

Question 21

Give an example of a non-metal reacting with a metal.

Answer 21

Sodium hydroxide + silicon dioxide → sodium silicate + water