Metals are reducing agents.

If copper is supplying 2 electrons for the reduction of an element therefore you could say that copper is
the agent for the reduction of that element.

When a metal reacts, it forms positive ions by giving electrons to the substance with which it is reacting.

M – ne-------->Mn+
Metals react with air or oxygen.

They form basic oxides. The exceptions are aluminum, zinc and lead which form amphoteric oxides. If
the oxide is soluble in water, it forms an alkaline solution, K 2O, Na2O, CaO, MgO (MgO is very slightly
soluble).

Most metals react with dilute acids. With dilute hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acids, they form a salt
and hydrogen.

Most metals react with water and steam. Those reacting with water form the hydroxide and hydrogen.
Those reacting with steam form the oxide and hydrogen.

Metals generally react with non-metals and they form ionic compounds.

The reactivity series is from most to least reactive.

The reactivity series of metals is a list of metals arranged in order of their reactivity based on:

Displacement reactions, reactions with oxygen, dilute acids and water.

Reduction of their oxides by hydrogen or carbon.

Relative ease of decomposition of their compounds, that is nitrates, carbonates and hydroxides.

Metals at the top of the series are the most electropositive, that is, they lose electrons very easily and
therefore readily form ions. Their ions are very stable and are not easily discharged to form atoms;
because of this, they are the most reactive metals.

Metals at the bottom of the series are the least electropositive, that is, they lose electrons with great
difficulty and do not readily form ions. Their ions are very unstable and easily discharged to form atoms;
because of this, they are the least reactive metals.

Reduction reactions between metals and metal oxides.

A metal will reduce the oxide of any metal below it in the reactivity series. The