Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1. 1 Notes
2. 1.2 Properties
3. 1.3 Alloys
8. 1.8 Iron
9. 1.9 Steel
2. 2 MCQ Questions
1. 2.1 Answers
2. 2.2 Structured Questions and Worked Solutions
Notes
Metals in the Periodic Table
Mainly in Group I, Group II, and the Transition Block
those near the staircase line
Properties
1. High density, melting point and boiling point
due to close packing of the atoms in metals
strong forces between these atoms
high density except sodium
high melting and boiling points except mercury and sodium
when a force is applied to a metal, the atoms can slide over one another
malleable: can be bent and beaten into different shapes
ductile: can be stretched to form wires
3. Thermal conductivity
heat energy can be transferred from one atom to another by vibration as the atoms are very close
together
the outermost electrons also help to conduct heat
4. Electrical conductivity
when a metal is connected to a circuit, the free outermost electrons move towards the positive
terminal
to replace them, more electrons are fed into the metal from the negative terminal
Extremes in Metals
Lightest: Lithium
Heaviest: Osmium
Most brittle: Manganese and chromium
Lowest melting point: Mercury
Highest melting point: Tungsten
Most expensive: Platinum
Rarest: Rhodium
Most abundant: Aluminium
Metallic properties
Metals have high:
Alloys
a mixture of metallic elements or metallic with non-metallic.
Pure metals are weak as the layers of atoms slide over each other easily. in alloy of 2 metals,
they have different sizes of atoms so this distrupts the orderly layer of atoms making it difficult for
atoms to slide over.
Eg of alloys
Steel: iron and carbon
bronze: copper and tin
brass: copper and zinc
duralumin: aluminium, copper, magnesium
Uses of duralumin: it is light but strong and durable so used for aircraft parts,
greenhouse frames, overhead cables, curtain walling in high-rise buildings etc.
pewter: tin and lead
Uses of solder: mixture of tin and lead, has a much lower melting point than either of its
components so more easily fusible --- suitable for welding electrical wire together
Uses of stainless steel: is an alloy of iron containing chromium or nickel. Is the most expensive
way
applications for:
cutleries
medical instruments
kitchen sinks
steel objects in chemical factories and oil refineries
magnesium react with steam react with dilute acids with decreasing ease
aluminium M(s) + 2H2O(g) --> MO(s) + H2(g) M(s) + 2HCl(aq) --> MCl2(aq) + H2(g)
zinc Metal + Water --> Metal Oxide + Metal + Acid --> Metal Chloride + Hydrogen
iron Hydrogen
lead do not react with water or steam react with dilute acids with decreasing ease
hydrogen
copper do not react with water or steam react only with concentrated acids
mercury
silver
platinum
In the reactivity series, metals at the top, like potassium and sodium, react violently with cold
water. Hence, they are stored under the surface of oil to prevent water vapour in the atmosphere
from reacting with them
eg. 2Na + 2H2O ---> 2NaOH + H2
Down the series, the reactivity of the metal decreases.
Magnesium will react only with steam, and for metals below iron there is no reaction with either
cold water or steam.
eg. Mg + H2O ---> MgO + H2
With dilute hydrochloric acid, the metals at the top of the series react very violently. As we go
down, the metals react less vigorously.
Aluminium, although above iron and zinc, reacts more slowly because of a protective oxide coat
on its surface.
eg. Fe + 2HCl ---> FeCl2 + H2
Below lead, there is no reaction with steam or with dilute acids and so hydrogen is never
displaced. Hence its position in the series.
The metals below hydrogen will react only with concentrated acids which are capable of oxidising
the metal first to its oxide. Such acids are concentrated nitric or sulphuric acids
eg. Cu + 4HNO3 ---> Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO2 +2H2O
The oxides below can be reduced with reducing agents like carbon or hydrogen, except zinc
oxide which cannot be reduced by action of hydrogen
ZnO + C --> Zn + CO
CuO + H2 --> Cu + H2O
Down the series, reduction becomes easier because the metals prefer to exist as atoms, as
opposed to ions
For metal oxides like mercury(II) oxide, no reducing agent is needed - just heating alone
2HgO --> 2Hg + O2
Hydroxides of the metals calcium and below decompose to their corresponding oxide and give off
steam, on heating. This can be confirmed by using anhydrous copper(II) sulphate which turns
white to blue with steam
Ca(OH)2 ---> CaO + H2O
Similarly, most carbonates, except sodium and potassium carbonates, undergo thermal
decomposition again to a metal oxide, but this time giving off carbon dioxide gas. This can be
confirmed by bubbling the gas through limewater, which turns milky with carbon dioxide
PbCO3 ---> PbO + CO2
Nitrates also decompose on heating, but the stable ones at the top of the series only decompose
as far as the nitrite (nitrite(III)), giving off oxygen gas. This can be identified by the gas relighting a
glowing splinter
2KNO3 ---> 2KNO2 + O2
The majority of nitrates decompose to the metal oxide, giving off brown fumes of nitrogen dioxide
as well as oxygen gas.
2Mg(NO3)2 ---> 2MgO + 4NO2 + O2
The unstable nitrates at the bottom of the reactivity series decompose all the way to the metal
itself
2AgNO3 ---> 2Ag + 2NO2 + O2
For observation, we’ll see silver magnesium metal coated with brown copper metal
Displacement is due to Mg atoms transfer electrons to Cu2+ ions forming Cu atoms.
2+ -
Mg(s) → Mg (aq) + 2e
2+ -
Cu (aq) + 2e → Cu(s)
Loss of electrons is due to it’s less reactive as less reactive metal has higher chance of losing
electrons.
That’s why when Mg is placed in KCl, no reaction occurs.
Displacement of oxides
The Thermit Reaction is an example of displacement of oxides.
Iron(III) oxide and aluminium powder are heated in a crucible, with a magnesium fuse to start the
reaction.
The aluminium is more reactive, and takes the oxygen from the iron oxide, leaving molten iron at
the bottom of the crucible.
Fe2O3 + 2Al ---> Al2O3 + 2Fe
This reaction is called the Thermit Reaction as it produces large quantities of heat.
It has been used to weld railway lines in remote areas where normal welding techniques are not
possible.
Extraction of Metals
Metals from Rocks
Occurrence of Metals
Uses of Metals
The choice of metals over another depends on 3 factors:
Recycling Metals
There are many iron on the surface but copper and tin are seriously reducing.
High temperatures and pressures and greater depth increases hazards that prevent mining up to
the lower part of crust, although there are more metals further down
Ways to conserve metals
Use alternative materials to replace the use of iron (e.g. use of plastic pipes instead of
iron, use of glass bottles for soft drinks instead of aluminium)
Recycle unused metals by melting them to produce new blocks of clean metal
Recyling helps conserving metals, especially valuables such as gold and platinum.
E.g. used computer parts processed to extract gold used for electrical contacts of
processors and memory chips
Recycling saves the cost of extracting new metals
Recycling benefits environment, e.g. if there is a car wasteland, it causes eyesore
Recycling metals can damage the environment by smelting process which sends a lot of fumes
into the air
Cost to separate metals from waste is high. E.g. separat metals in alloys is hard
Transport costs for collecting scrap metal is high, e.g. trucks should be used
People are not interested in depositing their used materials in recycling bins
Iron
Iron is extracted from the iron ore haematite, Fe2O3
Iron is extracted from the oxide in a blast furnace
Steel
Iron made from blast furnace is not good as:
it contains impurities which makes it brittle (can break easily)
it cannot be bent or stretched
Most iron is converted into steel which is an alloy of iron and carbon with small amounts of other
elements. Advantages of steel:
it is strong and tough
it can be bent and stretched without shattering
Making Steel:
Impurities of iron is removed by blowing oxygen into molten iron to change the impurities into
oxides. They are then combined with CaO and removed as slag.
Carbon and other metals are added in certain amount to make steel.
Rusting
Rusting – corrosion of iron and steel
Rust – brown solid product formed during rusting
Rust is hydrated iron(III) oxide Fe2O3.xH2O where water molecules varies.
Tubes A B C
Preventing Rusting
Surface protection: covers metal with a layer of substance
Paint
Grease or oil (also help to lubricate)
Plastic
Metal Plating – covering metal with thin layer of another metal (e.g. tin,
chromium, silver)
Advantage – These methods are cheap (except metal plating)
Disadvantage – If the layer is broken, air and water an reach metal to rust
Sacrificial protection
to sacrifice more reactive metal to corrode with water and air by layering it over less
reactive metal (e.g. iron covered by magnesium).
If layer is broken, water & air reach underneath layer, overlying metal still protect it.
Applications:
Galvanised Iron – is steel coated with zinc, usually used on roofs.
Protecting ships – blocks of zinc are attached to hulls to corrode instead of steel
which is the ship metal.
Underground steel pipes – these are attached to magnesium block using
insulated copper cables. Magnesium corrodes first than steel.
Use of stainless steel
MCQ Questions
1. Caesium is a metal that is more reactive than aluminium. Which reaction would produce
caesium?
a. electrolysing aqueous caesium chloride
b. electrolysing molten caesium chloride
c. heating caesium carbonate
d. heating caesium oxide with carbon
2. Which of the following processes does not result in the formation of both carbon dioxide and
water?
a. addition of a dilute acid to a carbonate
b. burning ethanol
c. burning methane
d. heating crystals of hydrated sodium carbonate
9. Why does the color of aqueous potassium bromide change when chlorine gas is bubbled into
it?
a. a compound is formed between chlorine and bromine
b. a solution of potassium chloride is formed
c. the chlorine oxidises bromide ions to bromine
d. the potassium bromide is reduced
10. Which carbonate decomposes on heating to give a black solid and a colourless gas?
a. calcium carbonate
b. copper(II) carbonate
c. sodium carbonate
d. zinc carbonate
11. Which substance is not an essential raw material in the extraction of iron in a blast furnace?
a. air
b. coke
c. limestone
d. sand
12. Which element reacts with oxygen to form a compound that is a gas at room temperature?
a. magnesium
b. hydrogen
c. copper
d. carbon
13. Caesium is a metal that is more reactive than aluminium. Which reaction would produce
caesium?
a. electrolysing aqueous caesium chloride
b. electrolysing molten caesium chloride
c. heating caesium carbonate
d. heating caesium oxide with carbon
19. Which substance removes impurities from iron ore in the blast furnace?
a. carbon
b. limestone
c. sand
d. slag
21. Which carbonate decomposes on heating to give a black solid and a colorless gas?
a. calcium carbonate
b. copper(II) carbonate
c. sodium carbonate
d. zinc carbonate
22. Which substance is not an essential raw material in the extraction of iron in a blast furnace?
a. air
b. coke
c. limestone
d. sand
23. Which element reacts with oxygen to form a compound that is a gas at room temperature?
a. magnesium
b. hydrogen
c. copper
d. carbon
24. A sample of air is slowly passed through aqueous sodium hydroxide and then over heated
copper. Which gases are removed by this process?
a. carbon dioxide and water vapour
b. carbon dioxide and oxygen
c. nitrogen and oxygen
d. nitrogen and water vapour
25. When heated, solid X gives off a gas which turns limewater milky. The residue reacts with
dilute acid and also with aqueous alkali. What is X?
a. copper(II) carbonate
b. magnesium carbonate
c. sodium carbonate
d. zinc carbonate
26. An element is burned in an excess of oxygen. Which statement about the oxide formed is
always correct?
a. it is a crystalline solid
b. it is greater in mass than the element
c. it is soluble in water
d. it is white in color
30. Which substance does not need air as a raw material for its manufacture?
a. ammonia
b. iron
c. sodium
d. sulphuric acid
32. Compound X reacts with some metals to liberate hydrogen and is used to make fertilisers. It
gives a white precipitate when added to aqueous barium nitrate. What is X?
a. ammonium sulphate
b. hydrochloric acid
c. potassium nitrate
d. sulphuric acid
35. How does the mass of a sample of copper(II) oxide change when it is heated in hydrogen and
in oxygen?
36. Sodium is a metal. Using only this information, what can be deduced about sodium?
a. it has a low melting point
b. it is a conductor of electricity
c. it is less dense than water
d. it is very reactive
37. Which substance reacts with water to form a soluble compound and an insoluble gas?
a. ammonium sulfate
b. caesium
c. calcium carbonate
copper
38. Which compound does not give off a gas when heated?
a. hydrated copper(II) sulfate
b. hydrate sodium carbonate
c. magnesium carbonate
d. sodium carbonate
39. Which metal should be used in the sacrificial protection of the hull of a boat made from iron?
a. calcium
b. copper
c. lead
d. zinc
40. A coil of clean copper wire is suspended in a beaker of aqueous silver nitrate. Crystals of
silver are deposited on the copper wire. Which statement is not correct?
a. the copper is oxidised
b. the solution turns blue
c. the total mass of the crystals of silver increases gradually
d. the total number of positive ions in the solution is unchanged
41. In the manufacture of iron by the blast furnace, which are the main gases that escape from the
top of the blast furnace?
a. carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen
b. nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide
c. nitrogen, oxygen, steam
d. oxygen, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide
42. When heated, solid X gives off a gas. When this gas is bubbled through limewater, a white
precipitate is formed. The residue after heating solid X reacts with dilute acid and also with
aqueous alkali. What is X?
a. copper(II) carbonate
b. magnesium carbonate
c. sodium carbonate
d. zinc carbonate
Answers
1. b
2. d
3. b
4. b
5. d
6. b
7. c
8. b
9. c
10. b
11. d
12. d
13. b
14. a
15. d
16. b
17. b
18. d
19. b
20. b
21. b
22. d
23. d
24. b
25. d
26. b
27. c
28. a
29. b
30. c (sodium is obtained through electrolysis)
31. d
32. d
33. a
34. b
35. b
36. b
37. b
38. c
39. d
40. b
41. b
42. d
43. a
b. Water supplies are obtained from rivers, boreholes and reservoirs. The water must be treated
before use. Describe and explain the two main processes in the purification of water supplies.
2+
c. Water supplies that have passed through iron pipes contain iron(II) ions, Fe and iron(III) ions,
3+
Fe .
In the presence of air, iron(II) ions are slowly changes to iron(III) ions.
+
Construct the equation for the reaction between iron(II) ions, hydrogen ions, H , and oxygen to
form iron(III) ions and water.
Solution
2. Calcium oxide is produced by heating a mixture of limestone and coke in a lime kiln.
Solution
2ai. It shows that the decomposition of calcium oxide in the lime kiln is a reversible reaction.
2aii. The decrease in carbon dioxide concentration causes the equilibrium to shift to the right to produce
more carbon dioxide to replace those that escaped. Therefore, more calcium carbonate decomposes to
give calcium oxide.
2bii. It is used to treat acidic soils. It reacts with acid to produce salt and water.
Each metal can be used once, more than once, or not at all.
Solution
3a. aluminim
3b. copper/iron
3c. zinc
3d. copper
3e. copper
4. In separate experiments, powdered samples of metal X and metal Y reacted with solutions of
nickel(II) sulphate and of iron(II) sulphate. The following table shows how the colours of the
solutions changed.
c. Write the ionic equation, with state symbols, for the reaction between iron and aqueous
nickel(II) sulphate.
Solution