[11] Reactivity Series

How can metals be arranged in a reactivity series based on reactions with water and acids?

More reactive metals, like potassium and sodium, react violently with water, while less reactive metals, like iron and zinc, react slowly with acids. Unreactive metals, like gold and silver, do not react.

How can metals be arranged in a reactivity series based on displacement reactions?

A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its oxide or from an aqueous solution of its salt

What is the reactivity order of common metals? from most to least

Potassium, Sodium, Lithium, Calcium, Magnesium, Aluminium, Zinc, Iron, Copper, Silver, Gold

Under what conditions does iron rust?

Iron rusts in the presence of both oxygen and water

How can the rusting of iron be prevented by barrier method

Barrier methods (painting), prevent oxygen and water from reaching the iron.

How can the rusting of iron be prevented by galvinisation

Galvanising involves coating iron with zinc, which forms a protective layer.

how can rusting of iron be prevented by the sacrificial method

Sacrificial protection involves attaching a more reactive metal (e.g., zinc or magnesium), which corrodes instead of iron.

What is oxidation in terms of oxygen and electrons?

Oxidation is the gain of oxygen or the loss of electrons.

What is reduction in terms of oxygen and electrons?

Reduction is the loss of oxygen or the gain of electrons.

What is a redox reaction?

A redox reaction is one where oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously.

What is an oxidizing agent?

An oxidizing agent is a substance that gains electrons and causes oxidation by accepting electrons from another substance.

What is a reducing agent?

A reducing agent is a substance that loses electrons and causes reduction by donating electrons to another substance.

What is the expected result when magnesium reacts with dilute acids?

Magnesium reacts vigorously with hydrochloric and sulfuric acid, producing bubbles of hydrogen gas and dissolving quickly. The reaction releases heat.

What is the expected result when zinc reacts with dilute acids?

Zinc reacts moderately with dilute acids, producing hydrogen gas more slowly than magnesium. The metal gradually dissolves, forming zinc salts.

What is the expected result when iron reacts with dilute acids?

Iron reacts slowly with dilute acids, producing some hydrogen gas and forming iron salts. The reaction is less vigorous compared to magnesium and zinc.

How do you test for hydrogen gas in these reactions?

lit splint squeaky pop