Reactivity Series

acid with dilute sulfuric or hydrochloric acids

metal + acid = salt + hydrogen

metal displacement reactions?

• reacting with a metal oxide by heating

• reacting with a metal with an aqueous solution of a metal compound

reactivity series?

• Potassium

• Sodium

• Lithium

• Calcium

• Magnesium

• Aluminum

• Carbon

• Zinc

• Iron

• Hydrogen

• Copper

• Silver

• Gold

factors for iron to rust?

oxygen and water

Barrier methods to prevent iron from rusting

• paint

• oil

• grease

• electroplating

Sacrificial Protection?

• more reactive metal can be attached to a less reactive metal

• more reactive metal will corrode first, protecting less reactive metal from corrosion

• Zinc is more reactive than iron. E.g. zinc bars on the side of ships

Galvanising

• process where the iron to be protected is coated with a layer of zinc

• can be done by electroplating or dipping into molten zinc

Oxidation?

• a substance gains oxygen

• a substance loses electrons

Reduction?

• a substance loses oxygen

• a substance gains electrons

method to investigate metals reacting with acids

. Wear some safety glasses before handling acids

. Using a small measuring cylinder, add 5 cm of dilute hydrochloric acid to each of the three test tubes

. Add about 1 cm length of magnesium ribbon to the first tube, observe and note down what you see

. Use a lighted splint to test any gases given off

. To the second test tube add a few pieces of iron filings and to the third some zinc turnings

. Observe what happens, test for any gases and note down your observations

. Repeat the experiment with dilute sulfuric acid

results for metals with acids