2.1 reactivity series

What is the reactivity series?

What is the reactivity series?

An order of how reactive a group of metals are with water, steam, oxygen and each other.

What is the order of the reactivity series?

potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, copper

What determines how reactive a metal is?

The tendency of the metal to lose electrons and form a positive ion.

How do you react metals with oxygen?

In a crucible on a pipeclay triangle and tripod, heat with Bunsen burner, crucible lid lifted occasionally to allow more oxygen into the crucible.

Equation for metals reacting with oxygen:

Metal + oxygen → metal oxide

Observations for potassium reacting with oxygen:

Lilac flame, forms white solid

Observations for sodium reacting with oxygen:

Yellow flame, forms white solid

Observations for calcium reacting with oxygen:

Red flame, forms white solid

Observations for magnesium reacting with oxygen:

Bright white light, forms white solid

Observations for aluminium reacting with oxygen:

Burns only when powder, forms white solid

Observations for zinc reacting with oxygen:

Burns forming yellow solid that turns white when cool

Observations for iron reacting with oxygen:

Orange sparks, forms white solid

Observations for copper reacting with oxygen:

Glows red, blue-green flame, forms black solid

How do you react metals with cold water?

In a beaker with inverted funnel placed on top, boiling tube filled with water placed over funnel to collect gas

Equation for metals reacting with water:

Metal + water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen

Equation for metals reacting with water:

Metal + water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen

Observations for potassium reacting with water:

Moves on surface, lilac flame, fizzes, heat released, crackling noise, metal disappears, forms colourless solution

Observations for calcium reacting with water:

Fizzes, sinks then floats, heat released, metal disappears, forms colourless solution with a white precipitate

Observations for magnesium reacting with water:

A few bubbles over a long time

Observations for magnesium reacting with water:

A few bubbles over a long time

How do you react metals with steam

Metal and damp mineral wool heated in boiling tube, gas produced travels through delivery tube and beehive shelf, trapped in gas jar

Equation for reacting metals with steam

Metal + water(g) → metal oxide + hydrogen

Observations for magnesium reacting with steam:

Bright white light, forms white solid, heat released, gas produced

Observations for aluminium reacting with steam:

Powder burns to form white solid, heat released, gas produced

Observations for zinc reacting with steam:

Powder burns to form yellow solid that turns white when cool, heat released, gas produced

Observations for iron reacting with steam:

Powder burns red hot to form black solid, heat released, gas produced

What is a displacement reaction?

When a more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from a compound

Displacement reaction of a metal with a solution of a metal compound?

E.g. magnesium displaces copper from copper sulfate solution

Mg(s) + CuSO4(aq) → Cu(s) + MgSO4(aq)

Blue solution turns colourless, heat produced, grey metal disappears, red-brown metal produced

Displacement reaction of a metal with a solid metal oxide?

E.g. thermite reaction

Fe2O3(s) + 2Al(s) → Al2O3(s) + 2Fe(l)

Reaction produces sparks, very esoteric, molten iron produced

Which metals are extracted from their ore by electrolysis?

Potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and aluminium

Which metals are extracted from their ore by reaction with C or CO?

Zinc and iron

Which metal is found unreacted in nature?

Copper