CAMBRIDGE SECONDARY ONE SCIENCE
CHAPTER 6: REACTIVITY
6.1 METALS AND THEIR REACTIONS WITH OXYGEN
When a metal reacts with oxygen, a metal oxide is formed. Metals have different levels of reactivity towards oxygen. Magnesium is more reactive than iron because it reacts much faster than iron.
6.1 METALS AND THEIR REACTIONS WITH OXYGEN
The metals of Group 1 are more reactive than other metals. Group 1 metals must be stored under oil because they react vigorously with oxygen and moisture in the air and can explode.
6.1 METALS AND THEIR REACTIONS WITH OXYGEN
When pieces of lithium, sodium or potassium are taken out from their containers, they become dull. The surface is covered with metal oxide. The general word equation for the reaction of a metal with oxygen: Metal + Oxygen Metal oxide
6.1 METALS AND THEIR REACTIONS WITH OXYGEN
Group 1 metals are stored under oil
6.2 REACTIONS OF METALS IN WATER
Group 1 metals react vigorously with water. The general word equation for the reaction of a metal with water: Metal + Water Metal + Hydrogen hydroxide
6.2 REACTIONS OF METALS IN WATER
The reactivity of group 1 metals with water increases when going down the group. Potassium is the most reactive when compared to lithium and sodium.
6.2 REACTIONS OF METALS IN WATER
Video on the reactions of group 1 metals with water:
6.2 REACTIONS OF METALS IN WATER
Some metals react less vigorously with water magnesium and calcium. Some metals that do not react with water may react with steam. Magnesium reacts more vigorously with steam than water. The word equation for the reaction between magnesium and steam Magnesium + Steam Magnesium+Hydrogen oxide
6.2 REACTIONS OF METALS IN WATER
hydrogen gas
magnesium ribbon
ceramic wool
delivery tube
Bunsen burner
Reaction of magnesium with steam
6.3 REACTIONS OF METALS WITH DILUTE ACID
When a metal reacts with dilute acid, the products are a salt and hydrogen. Different metals have different levels of reactivity in dilute acid.
6.4 THE REACTIVITY SERIES
The reactivity of metals with oxygen, water (or steam) and dilute acid differ. Therefore, we can place the metals in order their reactivity. This list is called the reactivity series. The reactivity series has the most reactive metals at the top and the least reactive at the bottom.
6.4 THE REACTIVITY SERIES
Most reactive
Potassium, K Sodium, Na Calcium, Ca Magnesium, Mg Aluminium, Al Carbon, C Zinc, Zn Iron, Fe Tin, Sn Lead, Pb Copper, Cu Silver, Ag Gold, Au Least reactive
6.4 THE REACTIVITY SERIES
Metal Potassium Sodium Reaction with oxygen Burns brightly when heated to form a metal oxide Reaction with water Very vigorous reaction in cold water to form a metal hydroxide Reaction with dilute acid Violent reaction and very dangerous
Calcium
Burns brightly in air Magnesium when heated to form a metal oxide
Aluminium Zinc Iron Lead Copper Silver Gold No reaction Slow reaction when heated to form a metal oxide
Slow reaction in cold water to form a Reaction which metal hydroxide becomes less vigorous Reacts with steam as you go down the list but not water to form a metal oxide
No reaction with steam or water
No reaction
6.5 DISPLACEMENT REACTIONS
More reactive metals can displace less reactive metals from their salt solutions. This is called displacement reaction. If a clean iron nail is placed into a beaker of copper sulfate solution, the iron nail will be coated with copper. Iron has displaced copper from copper sulfate solution.
6.5 DISPLACEMENT REACTIONS
Iron can displace copper from copper sulfate solution
6.6 USING DISPLACEMENT REACTIONS
Aluminium is more reactive than iron. Aluminium will displace iron from solid iron oxide if it is heated. Aluminium + Iron oxide Aluminium + Iron oxide
6.6 USING DISPLACEMENT REACTIONS
Using displacement reaction for welding (thermite reaction)
Rails are needed to be welded where the railway lines are.
The iron oxide and aluminium powder react in a container placed on the rails.
The molten iron produced in the reaction is shaped and used to join the rails together.
6.6 USING DISPLACEMENT REACTIONS
Carbon can be used to displace some metals from their ores. An ore is a rock that contains a metal compound. Carbon will displace zinc, iron, tin and lead from their ores. The iron ore is mainly iron oxide. This reacts with carbon to form iron and carbon dioxide. Iron oxide + Carbon Iron + Carbon dioxide
6.6 USING DISPLACEMENT REACTIONS
Using displacement reaction for extraction of metal
Iron ore and coke (a form of carbon) are added into the blast furnace.
Iron being displaced from its ore by carbon.
A blast of hot air is blown into the furnace to burn the coke and create high temperatures needed for the reaction.
Molten iron collects at the bottom.
6.6 USING DISPLACEMENT REACTIONS
Blast furnace