Reactivity Series of Metals | We can arrange metals into a ‘league table’ according to how reactive they are. This is called a ‘reactivity series! (or sometimes , an ‘electrochemical series’) The reactions studied are often those of metals with = water. = acids = oxygen, '= aqueous solutions of salts of other metals = other metals in electric cells. The table below shows a summary of the reactions of some metals with water and dilute acid Reactant: Metal ‘Observation calcium Bubbles vigorously, hydrogen gas and a cloudy alkaline solution formed. copper No visible reaction. cold water iron No visible reaction. Reacts slowly with steam. lead No visible reaction. magnesium —__Slovily gives off bubbles of gas (hydrogen). White solid formed. sodium Violent reaction, hydrogen and clear alkaline solution formed. calcium Violent reaction, hydrogen gas given of. copper No visible reaction. dilute acid. iron Moderate reaction. lead Slowly gives off bubbles af gas (hydrogen). magnesium Vigorous reaction, hydrogen gas given off. sodium Explosive, ‘The more reactive the metal, the more vigorous is the reaction. TEI What isthe gas given off when a metal does react with the acid used in these reactions? HE Arrange these metals in a reactivity series, going from the least reactive to the most reactive. IEE Which reaction would not be likely to be demonstrated in a school laboratory? Give a reason. When sodium (Na) reacts with water (H,0), it forms hydrogen (H,) gas and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. Write @ balanced equation for this reaction. TEBE | sodium hydroxide solution acidic, alkaline or neutral? camer cs spoon Metals also differ in their behaviour when heated in oxygen: oc ccs rence as jar —] Metal ‘Observation calcium Burns strongly copper Doesnt bur, forms a black coating ey iron Glows brightly, gives off sparks, forms black coating ee lead Metts, dull coating when cool magnesium Burns with a brillant white flame Oxygen sodium Burns fiercely, with a bright yellow flame HEGRE Arrange these metals in a reactivity series, going from the least reactive to the most reactive, 1s there complete agreement between your answers to questions 2 and 67 Give details. When magnesium (Mg) burns it forms solid magnesium oxide (MgO). TEI Wite a balanced equation for this reactionReactivity Series of Metals Il ‘We can use displacement reactions to work out the relative reactivities of metals. [metre any metal hot owe thon the ect sers fom soto of sa ‘This can be shown if copper (Cu) metal is placed in a solution of silver nitrate (AgNO,). r ‘The copper wite will become coated in sver (Ag) and the solution will change from sean wo i, TW te ne eect than aver ened vel pce cen thes SRP siver nitrate solution to form iver metal and copper I ritate (CUNO, ).) TEI Wiite a balanced equation for this reaction. nitate ‘elution A student carried out a series of experiments to investigate displacement reactions. Part of the instructions and results are shown below. Place a few mL of metal salt solution in a test tube. Add a very small amount of a different metal to it. Don't add a metal to a solution of a salt of itself. Record whether or not a reaction occurs in table form below. Put a ‘tick’ () if a reaction occurs and a ‘cross’ (5) if there is no visible reaction. Magnesium sulfate Lead sulfate Iron sulfate Copper sulfate __Zinc sulfate Magnesium = v v v v Lead * x v * tron * v —_ v * Copper * * * nS * Zine * v v v a [Arrange the metals in order of increasing reactivity using the results in the table above. TEBE Where would silver come in the series mentioned in question 2? Give a reason for your answer. Displacement reactions can also occur between metals and metal oxides. The principle is the same as for reactions between metals and metal salt solutions. A more reactive metal will displace a less reactive metal from its oxide, Usually the mixture has to be heated Chromium is sometimes made by the following reaction: aluminium + chromium oxide —> aluminium oxide + chromium, 2A) + C0, > ALO,6) + 2Cre) Which metal is the more reactive of the two? Give a reason for your answer. BEBE The Thermite reaction uses aluminium (Al) to extract iron (Fe) from its oxide (Fe,0) (iron (ll) oxide) in 2 similar reaction to the process above. Write a word equation and then a balanced equation for this reaction. (int: AO, is a product of the reaction.) TEBE what would happen if copper metal was heated with zinc oxide? Give a reason for your answer TEI Metal x reduces the oxides of metals Y and Z. Metal Z displaces metal ¥ from an aqueous solution of fone of ts sats. From this it may be concluded that the order of reactivity, most reactive fst, is: @ XYZ @ xzy (OYzXx ()ZXY © Emerald City Books 1999. This sheet may be photocopied for non-commercial classroom use