Reactivity- Learning outcomes
To explain the differences between physical
changes and chemical reactions
To use particle theory to explain gas pressure
and how it can be changed
To describe the reactions of metals with water,
dilute acids and air
To explain how metals are placed in the
reactivity series
To describe the test for oxygen
To explain how combustion reactions can be
speeded up
To classify changes as exothermic and
endothermic
To explain why some reactions need a supply of
energy
To explain what happens in a displacement
reaction
To describe how metals are extracted from their
ores by heating with carbon or by electrolysis
To explain what happens in redox reactions
Student comment
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Which objective was the most challenging?
How would you further improve your
knowledge and understanding of this topic?
Reactivity- Learning outcomes
To explain the differences between physical
changes and chemical reactions
To use particle theory to explain gas pressure
and how it can be changed
To describe the reactions of metals with water,
dilute acids and air
To explain how metals are placed in the
reactivity series
To describe the test for oxygen
To explain how combustion reactions can be
speeded up
To classify changes as exothermic and
endothermic
To explain why some reactions need a supply of
energy
To explain what happens in a displacement
reaction
To describe how metals are extracted from their
ores by heating with carbon or by electrolysis
To explain what happens in redox reactions
Student comment
How well did you understand the topic?
Which objective was the most challenging?
How would you further improve your
knowledge and understanding of this topic?
IGCSE notes
Metals Reacting with Water & Acids
 The chemistry of the metals is studied by analysing their reactions with water
and acids
 Based on these reactions a reactivity series of metals can be produced
 The series can be used to place a group of metals in order of
reactivity based on the observations of their reactions with water and acids

Reaction with water

 The reactions of potassium and sodium have already been seen previously in
the alkali metals, but the reaction with calcium and water is given here for
reference:

Ca (s) + 2H2O (l) ⟶ Ca(OH)2 (aq) + H2(g)

calcium + water ⟶ calcium hydroxide + hydrogen

 The reactions with magnesium, iron and zinc and cold water are very slow
Reaction with dilute sulfuric or hydrochloric acids

 Only metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series will react with dilute
acids
 The more reactive the metal then the more vigorous the reaction will be
 Metals that are placed high on the reactivity series such as potassium and
sodium are very dangerous and react explosively with acids
 When acids react with metals they form a salt and hydrogen gas:
 The general equation is:

metal + acid ⟶ salt + hydrogen

 Some examples of metal-acid reactions and their equations are given below:

Acid-Metal Reactions Table

Metal Displacement Reactions

 The reactivity of metals decreases going down the reactivity series.
 This means that a more reactive metal will displace a less reactive metal
from its compounds
 Two examples are:
o Reacting a metal with a metal oxide (by heating)
o Reacting a metal with an aqueous solution of a metal compound
 For example it is possible to reduce copper(II) oxide by heating it with zinc.
 The reducing agent in the reaction is zinc:

Zn + CuO → ZnO + Cu

zinc + copper(II) oxide → zinc oxide + copper

 Metal Oxide Displacement Table

Displacement reactions between metals & aqueous solutions of metal salts

 The reactivity between two metals can be compared using displacement

reactions in salt solutions of one of the metals
 This is easily seen as the more reactive metal slowly disappears from the
solution, displacing the less reactive metal
 For example, magnesium is a reactive metal and can displace copper from
copper(II)sulfate solution:

Mg + CuSO4→ MgSO4 + Cu

 The blue colour of the CuSO4 solution fades as colourless magnesium sulfate
solution is formed
 Copper coats the surface of the magnesium and also forms solid metal which
falls to the bottom of the beaker
Diagram showing the colour change when magnesium displaces copper from
copper(II) sulfate

Other displacement reactions

Metal Solutions Displacement Table

Exam Tip
Displacement reactions occur when the solid metal is more reactive than the metal
that is in the compound.

Order of Reactivity
Carbon and the reactivity series mnemonic

 Carbon is an important element and has its own place on the reactivity series
 Its use in the extraction of metals from their oxides and a more complete
reactivity series with an accompanying mnemonic to help you memorise it is
below

The reactivity series mnemonic

 “Please send lions, cats, monkeys and cute zebras into hot countries signed
Gordon”

Reactivity Series Mnemonic Table

 Oxidation & Reduction
Oxidation & reduction in terms of oxygen

 The reactions of metals with oxygen, such as in iron rusting can be classified
as oxidation
 Oxidation is any reaction in which a substance gains oxygen
 The opposite of oxidation is reduction
 Reduction is a reaction in which a substance loses oxygen
 For example, the displacement reaction between zinc and copper(II)oxide can
be classified as a redox reaction

Zn + CuO → ZnO + Cu
 zinc + copper(II) oxide → zinc oxide + copper

 Oxidation cannot occur without reduction happening simultaneously, hence

these are called redox reactions
 The copper(II)oxide supplies the oxygen, so it is the oxidising agent
 The zinc is the reducing agent because it removes the oxygen

Oxidation & Reduction in terms of electrons

 Displacement reactions can be analysed in terms redox reactions by studying

the transfer of electrons
 For the example of magnesium and copper sulfate, a balanced equation can
be written in terms of the ions involved:

Mg (s) + Cu2+ (aq) + SO42- (aq) → Mg2+ (aq) + SO42- (aq) + Cu (s)

 The sulfate ions, SO42-, appear on both sides of the equation unchanged
hence they are spectator ions and do not participate in the chemistry of the
reaction so can be omitted:

Mg (s) + Cu2+ (aq) → Mg2+ (aq) + Cu (s)

 This equation is an example of a balanced ionic equation which can be

further split into two half equations illustrating oxidation and reduction
individually:

Mg → Mg2+ + 2e–

Cu2+ + 2e–→ Cu

 The magnesium atoms are thus oxidised as they lose electrons

 The copper ions are thus reduced as they gain electrons
 These equations illustrate the broader definition of oxidation and reduction in
terms of electron transfer:
o Oxidation is the loss of electrons
o Reduction is the gain of electrons

'OIL RIG' is a useful mnemonic to help remember the definitions of oxidation

and reduction
 Practical: Investigate Metals Reacting with Acids
Aim:

To investigate the reactions between dilute hydrochloric and sulfuric acids with the
metals magnesium, iron and zinc

Diagram:

Investigating the reactions of dilute acids with metals

Method:

 Wear some safety glasses before handling acids

 Using a small measuring cylinder, add 5 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid to each
of three test tubes
 Add about 1 cm length of magnesium ribbon to the first tube, observe and
note down what you see
 Use a lighted splint to test for any gases given off
 To the second test tube add a few pieces of iron filings and to the third some
zinc turnings
 Observe what happens, test for any gases and note down your observations
 Repeat the experiment with dilute sulfuric acid

Results:
 Metals with Acids Observations Table

Equations for the Reactions

Conclusions:

 The metals can be ranked in reactivity order Mg > Zn > Fe

 The three metals react in the same with both acids
 Hydrogen and a metal salt solution is produced