Reactivity series chapter #1
what is reactivity series ?
reactivity series is an organised grouping of the elements on the basis of their chemical
reactions with
a) air (oxygen) hot and cold conditions
b) reaction with water cold and hot
c) what are hot and cold conditions
d) dilute acids hot and cold conditions
e) displacement reactions of metals
f) and the methods of extraction .
How can we arrange the elements simply from the periodic table to make a desired
reactivity series .
1. we will keep at the top of the reactivity series Group One elements.
2. next will be the elements from group 2 the highly reactive elements are at the
bottom And the low reactive elements are at the top of each group .
3. will pick elements from Group 3 mainly aluminium is the part .
4. carbon as a nonmetal is added due to it's important in the extraction of metals we
keep carbon after aluminium .
Most reactive Na>Mg>Al>C>Zn>Fe>H>Cu>Ag>Au Least reactive
Chemical reactions with air .
1. Chemical reactions of Group One elements .
Group One elements are highly reactive when they react with oxygen ,when they are
left open to oxygen ,they corrode immediately ,an oxide layer is being formed on their
surface ,this shows that the reaction is very fast ,the shiny surfaces get dull
immediately .
Na + O2 → Na2O
K + O2 → K2O
Rb + O2 → Rb2O
2. If we consider group 2 elements reacting with oxygen we need to heat them up
then only the reaction is possible to be observed ,they are also reacting with
normal oxygen but the rate of reaction is very slow and one cannot make the
observation .
2Mg + O2 → 2MgO
Magnesium catches fire it goes with a blinding flame ,and produce a smoke of
magnesium oxide and dust of magnesium oxide .
3. Going down the reactivity series from aluminium 2 iron zinc copper the rate of
reaction is getting low ,copper silver and gold maintain their nature and they don't
react at all .
4Al + 3O2 → 2Al2O3
4Fe + 3O2 → 2Fe2O3
2Zn + O2 → 2ZnO
Chemical reactions with water
Group1 reaction with water.
Group One elements are highly vigorous while reacting with with cold water ,The
rate of reaction is increasing down the group and we can see some intensifying
chemical reactions .
2Na + 2H2O→ 2NaOH + H2
2K + 2H2O→ 2KOH + H2
2. Group 2 metals reacting with water .
Magnesium is a typical group two element ,it can react both with cold and hot water
(steam ).
1. while reacting with cold water it will produce magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen
.
Mg + H2O(l) → Mg (OH)2 + H2
2. while reacting with steam it will produce magnesium oxide and hydrogen
Mg + H2O(g) → MgO+ H2
[Link] copper react with dilute acids ?
Ans :no copper will not react with dilute acids it's highly stable and maintain it's
nature .
Fizzing Less Fizzing bubbles No reaction
Reactivity series
Al>Zn>Fe>Cu
Reactions with dilute acids .
we all know that Group One metals are highly reactive with air and water so there is no
need to test them with the dilute acids ,as the reactions are explosive so they can be
highly dangerous to deal with .
group 2 elements Group 3 elements ,and transition elements will be treated with dilute
acids ,to find out the respective reactivity of those elements.
1. Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2
2. 2Al + 6HCl → 2AlCl3 + 3H2
3. Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl2 + H2
4. 2Fe + 6HCl → 2FeCl3 + 3H2
Displacement reactions
these are the reactions in which a highly reactive element displaces a low reactive
element.
Two types of displacement.
1. single displacement (mostly this displacement happens when the substances
are in the solid state ,we heat them melt them down, and then the
displacement reactions take place .
There's a reaction called thermit reaction ,in this reaction a compound of iron is
taken ,mixed with aluminium powder ,ignited with the help of magnesium
ribbon ,the material get in molten state ,iron is displaced by aluminium during
this chemical reaction .the molten iron is used for welding purposes ,specially
joining railway tracks .
Al(s) + Fe2O3(s)→ Al2O3(s) + Fe(l)
In the above case aluminium is highly reactive than iron ,that's why iron is
displaced .
Single displacement can also be seen in the solutions ,for example if we take
copper two sulphate solution the colour is blue ,and we add solid zinc to it (the
colour is grey) ,the reaction is going to take place zinc is highly reactive it will
displace copper from the solution ,we will see a colour change from blue to
colourless ,and a Brown precipitate will be formed on the surface of the
solution .
Zn0 (s) + Cu2+SO4 (aq) → Zn2+SO4(aq) + Cu0 (s)→ redox
2. double displacement
Double displacement usually take place in solutions ,we take two substances
(solutions ),silver nitrate and sodium chloride .we mix them together ,and we
see that there is a precipitate being formed out ,the equation for the reaction is
given below .
AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq) → NaNO3(aq) + AgCl(s)(non redox)
Redox reactions
What is oxidation number ?
Ans: the apparent charge an Atom in a molecule is called the oxidation number
,mostly it's the valency of an Atom ,it can be positive or negative .
The reactions in which both oxidation and reduction is taking place are called
redox reactions .
[Link] is oxidation ?
Ans :
1. oxidation is the addition of oxygen .
C+O2 → CO2
Na+ O2→ Na2O
2. The loss of electrons.
Na-1e-→Na1+
Na→ Na1++ 1e-
Mg→ Mg2+ + 2e-
3. the increase in oxidation number
Na0→Na1+
Mg0→Mg2+
Reduction .
1. Reduction is the removal/ loss of oxygen.
CO2→ C+O2
Na2O→ Na+ O2
2. The gain of electrons.
Na1+→ Na - 1e-
Na1+ + 1e-→ Na
Mg2++2e-→ Mg
3. The decrease in oxidation number
Na1+→ Na0
Mg2+→ Mg0
Redox Reactions
Oxidation
Reducing agent
Zn0 Cu+2SO4 (aq) → Zn2+SO4(aq) + Cu0 (s)
(s) +Reductant
Reduction
Oxidizing agents
OIL→ loss of electrons
oxidant
RIG→ gain of electrons
Next Topic
Oxidising agent :
Oxidising agent is the one that oxidises others but itself get reduced.
Cu2+ → Cu0
Reduction
Oxidising agents
Reducing agents: oxidant
The element which reduces or the species which reduces others but get oxidised itself.
Oxidation
Reducing agent
Reductant
Zn0 (s) → Zn2+
(s)
Q Find the oxidation and reduction along with oxidising and reducing agent in the
following equation .
2Al0(s)+ 6H1+ Cl1-(aq) → 2Al3+ Cl31-(aq)+ 3H20(g)
Note:the greater the difference between the metals on the reactivity series ,high
amount of heat energy will be released out.
Fe2+(aq)=GREEN
Fe3+(aq)=BROWN
Cu2+(aq)=BLUE
CuO(s)=BLACK SLOID
Cu(s)=BROWN
Fe(s)=BLACK
Fe(BLACK/solid) + CuSO4(BLUE/aq)→ FeSO4(GREEN/aq) + Cu(BROWN/solid)