The Reactivity series & Metal extraction Flashcards
Name some metals of each part of the Reactivity series and how they react with water, acids and oxygen
Highly reactive
Potassium, Sodium, Calcium
Reacts violently with cold water, reacts with dilute acids and with Oxygen
Medium reactivity
Magnesium, Aluminium, Iron
Reacts quickly with Steam but not with cold water, reacts with dilute acids and Oxygen
Low reactivity
Gold, Platinum, Silver
Doesn’t react with water, dilute acids or Oxygen
State the reaction of a Metal with Water
Metal + Water ~> Metal hydroxide + Hydrogen
E.g:
Sodium + Water ~> Sodium hydroxide + Hydrogen
State the reaction of a Metal with Steam
Metal + Steam ~> Metal oxide + Hydrogen
E.g:
Magnesium + Steam ~> Magnesium oxide + Hydrogen
Name some metal Ores, their main compound and the main metal found
Bauxite
Compound: Aluminium oxide
Main metal: Aluminium
Cinnabar
Compound: Mercury sulfide
Main metal: Mercury
Haematic
Compound: Iron oxide
Main metal: Iron
Galena
Compound: Lead sulfide
Main metal: Lead
Malachite
Compound: Copper carbonate
Main metal: Copper
Limestone
Compound: Calcium carbonate
Main metal: Calcium
What’s Thermal decomposition?
Used for the least reactive metals. This method heats the metal ores to produce the main metal and Oxygen
E.g:
Silver oxide ~> Silver + Oxygen
What is Heating with Carbon?
Is used for metals of moderate reactivity. Carbon acts as a reducing agent, combining with Oxygen to produce Carbon dioxide, leaving the metal free
E.g:
Iron oxide + Carbon ~> Iron + Carbon dioxide
What is Electrolysis?
Used for the highly reactive metals. Electricity flows through molten ore to split up the compounds, leaving the metal free. The negative electrode (cathode) is where the metal is formed. The positive electrode (anode) is where Oxygen is produced. Is too expensive to use commonly.
E.g:
Aluminium oxide ~> Aluminium + Oxygen
