UNIT 3 - Metals Flashcards
what binds the ions together in metals?
The electrostatic attraction of positive metal ions for the delocalised electrons
what is electrolysis?
It is the decomposition of an ionic compound into its elements using electricity
What is required if the products are to be identified in electrolysis?
A direct current (dc) supply
what does each atom in a metal lose, and why?
its outer electrons, to form positive ions
what do the ions form after the metal has lost its outer electrons to become an ion?
a regular three dimensional lattice of positively charged ions
describe the outer electrons of a metal atom.
they are not attached to a particular atom and are free to move around, therefore they are delocalised
what is an electrical current?
a flow of charged particles (e-, ions)
why do metals conduct electricity?
because electrons can flow through them without chemical changes taking place
what is the reactivity series in order?
- pottasium
- sodium
- lithium
- calcium
- magnesium
- aluminium
- zinc
- iron
- tin
- lead
- copper
- mercury
- silver
- gold
what is the least reactive element?
gold (does not react at all)
what do all metals above silver in the reactivity series combine with?
they combine with oxygen when heated to form a metal oxide
metal + oxygen –> metal oxide
what happens the higher up the reactivity series the element is?
the higher the metal is in the reactivity series, the more violent the reaction
what do all of the metals above aluminium react with in the reactivity series?
they react with water to form a metal hydroxide and hydrogen.
metal + water –> metal hydroxide + hydrogen
what do all of the metals above copper in the reactivity series react with?
they react with a dilute acid to create salt and hydrogen.
metal + acid –> salt + hydrogen
how can metals be placed in order of reactivity?
by comparing the rates at which they react
what is an oxidation reaction?
one in which electrons are lost or oxygen is gained
what is a reduction reaction?
one in which electrons are gained or oxygen is lost
what is a Redox reaction?
a reaction which involves both reduction and oxidation reactions taking place at the same time
what must be removed at the end of a redox reaction?
the electrons
how do you balance redox equations?
by multiplying one or both of the ion-electron eqautions
what does a displacement reaction involve?
it involves the formation of a metal from a solution containing its ions by reaction with a metal higher in the electrochemical series
what non metal appears in the ECS?
hydrogen