Chemical Reactions of the Period 3 Elements

These flashcards cover the chemical reactions of Period 3 elements with oxygen, water, and chlorine.

Sodium reaction with water

Sodium reacts very exothermically with cold water producing hydrogen and a colorless solution of sodium hydroxide.

Magnesium reaction with water

Magnesium has a slight reaction with cold water and burns in steam to produce magnesium oxide and hydrogen.

Aluminium reaction with steam

Aluminium powder heated in steam produces hydrogen and aluminium oxide, although the reaction is slow due to the oxide layer.

Silicon reaction with water

Silicon may react with steam at red heat to produce silicon dioxide and hydrogen, but the reactivity depends on its form.

Chlorine reaction with water

Chlorine dissolves in water to form a green solution, undergoing a reversible reaction to create hydrochloric acid and chloric(I) acid.

Reactions of phosphorus with water

Phosphorus and sulfur have no reaction with water.

Sodium reaction with oxygen

Sodium burns in oxygen with an orange flame, producing a mixture of sodium oxide and sodium peroxide.

Magnesium reaction with oxygen

Magnesium burns in oxygen with an intense white flame to produce white solid magnesium oxide.

Aluminium reaction with oxygen

Aluminium burns in oxygen if powdered; otherwise, the oxide layer prevents the reaction.

Phosphorus burning in air

White phosphorus catches fire spontaneously in air, producing clouds of phosphorus(III) oxide and phosphorus(V) oxide.

Sulphur burning in oxygen

Sulphur burns in air or oxygen producing colorless sulfur dioxide gas.

Sodium reaction with chlorine

Sodium burns in chlorine with a bright orange flame to produce white solid sodium chloride.

Silicon reaction with chlorine

Silicon reacts with chlorine to produce silicon tetrachloride, a colorless liquid.

Phosphorus reaction with chlorine

White phosphorus burns spontaneously in chlorine producing phosphorus(III) chloride and phosphorus(V) chloride.

Sulphur reaction with chlorine

Heated sulphur reacts with chlorine to form an orange liquid, disulphur dichloride.