The Reactivity Series & Displacement Reactions

What is the effect of using reactants with increased reactivity in a reaction?

The reaction will take place more quickly

How can you investigate the reactivity of a metal using an acid?

1. React the metal with an acid

2. When it reacts, bubbles of hydrogen will be released

3. The faster the bubbles are produced, the fast the reaction is, therefore the more reactive the metal

How can you investigate the reactivity of metals using temperature change?

1. React each of the metals with water or acid over a set period of time

2. Ensure that the surface area and the mass of the metal is the same each time

3. Measure the rise in temperature

4. The greater the temperature change, the more reactive the metal is

Why can it be dangerous to react metals with high reactivity with acids or water?

Very reactive metals can react explosively and produce many bubbles

Which metals don’t react with water?

Less reactive metals such as zinc and copper

In displacement reactions, which ions are reduced?

Metal ions, this means they gain electrons

Will acids react more vigorously with hot or cold water?

Hot water as the higher temperature results in a faster rate of reaction

Would powered metal, or a single chunk (both the same mass) react more vigorously?

Powered metal, as it would have a larger total surface area

What is a metal displacement reaction?

When a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal