IGCSE Chemistry: Reactivity Series and Oxidation-Reduction

Flashcards covering key concepts of metals' reactivity, rusting, oxidation-reduction, and their practical investigations in IGCSE Chemistry.

What happens when reactive metals like potassium react with cold water?

They produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas, forming an alkaline solution.

What are the products when metals react with acids?

Salt and hydrogen gas.

Which metal is notably unreactive and does not react with water, acids, or oxygen?

Gold.

How can one determine the relative reactivity of metals?

By observing their reactions with water, acids, and oxygen.

What does a more reactive metal do in a displacement reaction?

It can displace a less reactive metal from its compound.

List the metals in order of reactivity starting from the most reactive.

Potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, copper, silver, gold.

What two elements are often included in the metal reactivity series due to their interactions?

Hydrogen and carbon.

What conditions are necessary for iron to rust?

Both air and water.

What are some methods to prevent rusting of iron?

Barrier methods, galvanising, and sacrificial protection.

Define oxidation in terms of oxygen and electrons.

Oxidation is the gain of oxygen or loss of electrons.

What occurs in a redox reaction?

Both oxidation and reduction occur.

What is a reducing agent?

It causes another reactant to be reduced and is oxidised itself.

What practical investigation can be done with metals and dilute acids?

Investigate reactions between metals like magnesium, zinc, and iron with dilute hydrochloric and sulfuric acids.

What observations can be made when metals react with acids?

More reactive metals will produce large amounts of H2 gas bubbles, while less reactive metals will not produce any.