Topic 4: Reactivity series and extraction of metals

Question 1

how can metals be arranged in a reactivity series

Answer 1

based on their reactions with:
-water
-dilute hydrochloric acid
-dilute sulfuric acid

Question 2

how do you deduce the position of a metal within the reactivity series

Answer 2

by using displacement reactions between:
-metals and metal oxides
-metals and aqueous solutions of metal salts

Question 3

what is the order of reactivity of these metals: calcium, potassium, lithium, aluminium, copper, zinc, iron, silver, sodium, gold, magnesium

Answer 3

potassium
sodium
lithium
calcium
magnesium
aluminium
zinc
iron
copper
silver
gold

Question 4

under what conditions does iron rust?

Answer 4

iron rust when it comes into contact with oxygen( from the air) and water

Question 5

how can the rusting of iron be prevented?

Answer 5

barrier methods:
-painting/coating with plastic, can be ideal for large structures
- oiling/greasing, has to be used for moving parts.

galvanising:
-covering the iron in a non-reactive metal

sacrificial protection:
-zinc is often used as a sacrificial metal because it is more reactive than iron.
- big blocks of zinc can be bolted to the iron so the zinc oxidises instead of the iron.

Question 6

what is oxidization?

Answer 6

the addition of oxygen

Question 7

what is reduction

Answer 7

the removal of oxygen

Question 8

what is redox

Answer 8

oxidization and reduction considered together as complementary processes

Question 9

what is an oxidizing agent?

Answer 9

an oxidizing agent is a substance in a redox reaction that gains or accepts an electron from a reducing agents

Question 10

what is a reducing agent?

Answer 10

a substance that tends to bring about reduction by being oxidized and losing electrons.