Name

Class

Teacher

Year 8 Science

Chemistry Booklet 1

Periodic Table and Elements

Reactivity Series

1
2
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 SKILLS: LABORATORY SAFETY

1. In the cartoon what can you see that makes the laboratory:

a) Safe?

b) Unsafe?

2. From your observations, and your own ideas, make up a set of Laboratory rules.

THINGS TO DO

1. Each science lab usually has a set of rules (a sort of Highway Code). Find the
rules for your lab. Read them and then write down the reason for having each
rule
2. Draw a safety poster for your science lab. Concentrate on one of the rules,
and think how to get your message across clearly
3. Look around your home, searching for unsafe situations where accidents
might happen. Draw up a list. Talk to your family about anything that should
be made safe
4. Draw a safety poster for your home
5. Imagine you have a pen-pal in your last school. Write a letter telling her or him
how you feel about today’s science lesson
CODE OF CONDUCT

4
 Behave sensibly and Safely at ALL TIMES
 Pupils to enter the laboratory silently
 Concentrate - be alert!
 Listen and follow instructions carefully
 Everything has its place and everything in its place
 Report all accidents
 Keep lab books neat, make good records
 Work as a team by helping each other
 Don't take anything from the LAB
 Locate fire exit

LAB RULES

 Enter lab only with teacher present

 Keep bags out of the way
 Do not run in the lab
 Wear lab coats and goggles when requested
 Do not eat, drink or sniff chemicals
 Do not play with chemicals, apparatus or materials
 Wash hands after chemical use
 Be careful with flames, burners to have yellow when not in use
 Point test tubes away from people
 Do not mix used chemicals with new, avoid contamination
 Do not do experiments if you are not sure
 Immediately wipe spillage's
 Dispose of waste and breakage's
 Replace bottle tops
 Clean lab after use, keep it tidy
 Clean used apparatus and return to correct place
 Paper and large solid waste ONLY in the BIN

5
FLAMING BUNSENS INVESTIGATION

6
 Wear safety Thermometer
glasses

You might choose some or all of these things

• Bunsen burners
• Heat proof mat
• Tripod Bunsen burner with
• Gauze air-hole open
• 250cm3 or 400cm3 beakers
• 100cm3 or 250cm3 measuring cylinders
• 0 – 100 0C thermometer
• Stop clock

Conclusion
Was Ben or Gerry right?
Why did you think this?

Extension Exercise Time Hole Open Half Open

(sec) 0 0
Temp ( C) Temp ( C)

0
30
60
90
120
150
180

7
8
Glossary of terms

Accuracy A measurement result is considered accurate if it is judged to be close to the true value.

Calibration Marking a scale on a measuring instrument.

For example, placing a thermometer in melting ice to see whether it reads zero, in
order to check if it has been calibrated correctly.

Data Information, either qualitative or quantitative, that has been collected.

Errors See also Uncertainties

measurement The difference between a measured value and the true value.
error

anomalies These are values in a set of results which are judged not to be part of the variation
caused by random uncertainty.

random error These cause readings to be spread about the true value, due to results verying in an
unpredictable way from one measurement to the next.

systematic error These cause readings to differ from the true value by a consistant amout each time a
measurement is made.

Sources of systematic error can include the environment, methods of observations or

instruments used.

zero error Any indication that a measuring system gives a false reading when the true value of a
measured quantity is zero, eg the needle on an ammeter failing to return to zero when
no current flows.

Evidence Data which has been shown to be valid

fair test A fair test is one in which only the independent variable has been allowed to affect the
dependent variable.

Hypothesis A proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations.

Interval The quantity between readings, eg a set of 11 readings equally spaced over a distance
of 1 metre would give an interval of 10 centimetres.

Precision Precise measurements are ones in which there is very little spread about thr mean
value

Prediction A prediction is a statement suggesting what will happen in the future. Based on
observations, experience or a hypothesis

Range The maximum and minimum values of the independent or dependent variables;
important in ensuring that any pattern is detected

For example a range of distances may be quoted as either;

9
 “From 10cm to 50cm”

Repeatable A measurement is repeatable if the original experiment repeats the investigation using
same method and equipment and obtains the same results

Reproducible A measurement is reproducible if the investigation is repeated by another person, or by

using different equipment or techniques, and the same results are obtained.

Resolution This is the smallest change in the quantity being measured (input) of a measuring
instrument that gives a perceptible change in the reading.

True value This is the value that would be obtained in an ideal measurement

Uncertainty The interval within which the true value can be expected to lie, with a given level of
confidence or probability, eg “the temperature is 20 0C ± 2 0C, at a level of confidence of
95%

Validity Suitability of the investigation procedure to answer the question being asked. For
example, an investigation to find out if the rate of a chemical reaction depended upon
the concentration of one of the reactants would not be valid procedure if the
temperature of the reactants was not controlled

Valid conclusion A conclusion supported by valid data, obtained from an appropriate experimental
design and based on sound reasoning.

Variables These are physical, chemical or biological quantities or characteristics.

-Categoric Categoric variables have values that are labels. Eg names of plants or types of material

-Continuous Continuous variables can have values (called a quantity) that can be given a magnitude
ether by counting (as in the case of the number of shrimp) or by measurement (eg light
intensity, flow rate etc)

-Control A control variable is one which may, in addition to the independent variable, affect the
outcome of the investigation and therefore has to be kept constant or at least
monitored.

-Dependent The dependent variable is the variable of which the value is measured for each and
every change in the independent variable

-Independent The independent variable is the variable for which values are changed or selected by
the investigation.

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8Eb4 The Periodic Table

PROPERTIES OF ELEMENTS
a) You are given 6 elements, complete the following table;-

Copper Carbon Zinc Aluminium Sulphur Iron

Appearance
11
 (shiny or
dull)
Bendable
or brittle?

Feel (warm
or cold)

Conducts
electricity ?

Magnetic?

b) Place a 2cm depth of water in a test tube and add 3 drops of universal indicator.

Colour___________________ pH _________________ conclusion______________

c) Blow gently through a straw into the tube from (b)

Gas produced during breathing is ________________________________

Colour___________________ pH _________________ conclusion______________

d) Set up another tube with water and indicator and add the white powder produced after
you burn a 2cm length of magnesium.

Colour___________________ pH _________________ conclusion______________

Summary
The properties of metal and non-metals are;-
Metals Non-metals

9Ea1 Different properties

12
Your task is to fill in this table to compare the properties of metals and non-metals. You might use
the internet, reference books and CD-ROMs to help you.

Property Metal Non-metal

Are they solids, liquids or gases at room

temperature?

Do they have high or low melting points?

Do they have high or low boiling points?

Do they conduct electricity?

Do they conduct heat?

Are they flexible?

Can they be shaped by hitting them with a

hammer?
This property is called malleability.

What sound do they make if you hit

them?

Are they magnetic?

Are their oxides acids or bases?

(Remember an alkali is a soluble base.)

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8Ec4 Sorting the elements
You will need Worksheet 8Eb/4, which shows the elements in the Periodic Table.

1 Colour in your copy of the Periodic Table to show the metals. Show this colour in
a key.
2 Choose a different colour. Colour in the squares that contain non-metals. Add the
colour to your key.
3 There are only two elements in the Periodic Table that are liquids. One is a metal,
and one is a non-metal. Pick another colour, and outline the squares with these two elements
in. Add this outline colour to your key.
4 Find the elements that are gases. How many gases are there in the table? Pick
another colour and outline all the squares of elements that are gases. Add this colour to your
key.
5 a What state are all the remaining elements in?
b How many are there?
6 Use your copy of the Periodic Table to look up the elements represented by each
of these symbols. Write each symbol into the table below in the correct box.

Fe Al S Hg O Cu Zn N C He Ag Br Cl Au H
Mg

Metal Non-metal
solid

liquid

gas

[ knowledge ]

8Ec6 Metal or non-metal? 1

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1 Match the name of the element to the correct description. One has been done for
you as an example.
Description Element
This is a solid that can be used to make heavy copper
masses. Some saucepans or frying pans are made
from this.

This is a brown, shiny solid used for making coins helium

or ornaments. Brass bells contain this element.

This is a yellow solid which can be found as iron

crystals or powder. It melts easily.

This is a gas that is used to fill balloons. gold

This is a shiny silvery solid. It can be made into sulphur

thin sheets of foil which can be used to wrap food
up.

This is a shiny yellow solid that is used to make aluminium

rings and necklaces. It is a very good conductor of
electricity.

9Ea2 Properties fact sheet

15
You are going to find out about one element. It might be a metal or a non-metal. Your teacher will
tell you which element to research. You might use the internet, reference books and CD-ROMs to
help you.

You will need to answer the following questions. You might then use your information to design a
poster about this element.

1 Is it a metal or a non-metal?
2 Is it a solid, a liquid or a gas at room temperature?
3 Does it have a high or a low melting point?
4 What is its melting point?
5 Does it have a high or a low boiling point?
6 What is its boiling point?
7 Does it conduct electricity?
8 Does it conduct heat?
9 Is it flexible?
10 Can it be hammered into shape? This property is known as malleability.
11 What sound does it make if you hit it?
12 Is it magnetic?
13 Does it react with oxygen?
14 If it reacts with oxygen, is the oxide that is formed an acid or a base? Remember
that alkalis are soluble bases.
15 How do we get this element?
16 What is this element used for?

16
8Ec7 Metal or non-metal?
The table gives information about a number of different elements. Look at the information in
the table and answer the questions.
Element Melting Boiling point Density Conduction
point (°C) (°C) (grams per cm3) of electricity
aluminium 660 2470 2.7 good
bromine –7.2 59 3.1 poor
calcium 850 1487 1.5 good
carbon (graphite) 3730 4830 2.3 good
chlorine –101 –34.7 (1.6) poor
copper 1083 2595 8.9 good
gold 1063 2970 19.3 good
helium –270 –269 (0.15) poor
hydrogen –259 –252 (0.07) poor
iron 1535 3000 7.9 good
lead 327 1744 11.3 good
lithium 180 1330 0.5 good
magnesium 650 1110 1.7 good
oxygen –218 –183 (1.1) poor
platinum 1769 4530 21.4 good
silicon 1410 2360 2.3 fair
sodium 98 890 0.97 good
silver 961 2210 10.5 good
sulphur 113 445 2.0 poor
tungsten 3410 5930 19.4 good
zinc 420 907 7.1 good
Note: Figures in brackets show the density when the element is at its boiling point.
1 Write down the six elements which have the highest melting points, in order, with
the highest melting point first.
2 Are most of these elements metals or non-metals?
3 a Name the elements that have boiling points below 0 °C.
b At room temperature (20 °C) what state will these
elements be in?
c Are these elements metals or non-metals?
4 What state is bromine at room temperature? How do you know?
5 a Write down the names of the five elements with the highest densities.
b Are these elements metals or non-metals?
6 Which element would boil only 1 °C after it melted?
8 Based on the data in the table and your general knowledge, sort all the elements in
the table into two groups: metals and non-metals.

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8Ec8 Predicting an undiscovered
element
One of Mendeleev’s greatest achievements was to predict the discovery of new elements. He
made a table of all the elements he knew about. He also left spaces in his table to allow for
new elements to be discovered. You now have a chance to repeat Medeleev’s predictions –
how accurate will you be?

Here are the elements in Group 4 of Mendeleev’s table. A space has been left for the missing
element.

Carbon (C) Silicon (Si) Mystery Tin (Sn) Lead (Pb)

element (?)
type of element non-metal non-metal metal metal
conduction of non-conductor semi- conductor conductor
electricity (diamond); conductor
conductor
(graphite)
melting point 3850 1410 232 327
(°C)
mass of 1 cm3 2.2 (graphite) 2.3 7.3 11.3
of the solid (g)
chemical formula CO and CO2 SiO2 SnO2 PbO and PbO2
of oxide(s)
state of oxide(s) both are crystals (sand white solid yellow solid (PbO);
colourless gases. or quartz) brown solid (PbO2)

1 Do you think the mystery element will be a metal or a non-metal?

Explain your reasons.
2 How well will the element conduct electricity? Do you think the element will be:
• a good conductor?
• a semi conductor?
• a non-conductor?
Explain your reasons.
3 Make predictions for the other blank spaces in the table. In each case, explain
how you arrived at your decisions.
4 Imagine that you were the person who eventually discovered the new element.
Give your element a name, and a chemical symbol based on your name.

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 Groups and Periods of the Periodic Table

Elements are arranged in rows and columns in the periodic table in

order of increasing atomic mass. The vertical ________are called

groups and the ___________rows are called periods. Li, ____ and

K are in the same group while N,____ , F are in the same period.

Elements in the same groups have similar ___________and physical

properties

Some groups have specific names: Group 1 elements are called

Alkali, Group 2 Alkali Earth metal, Group 7 – halogen, Group 0-

Noble Gases.

19
Group 1 Metals
Reaction with water:

Record what CHANGES that you SEE happen, in the table below.

METAL SYMBOL APPEARANCE OBSERVATIONS

lithium

sodium

potassium

1. Use your observations to put the metals in order of their reactivity.

HIGHEST 1. ___________________
2. ___________________
LOWEST 3. ___________________

2. Why did you put them in this order?

___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________

3. What gas was produced? ______________. How do you know?

____________________
4. What colour did the Universal Indicator change?
_______________________________
5. What does this tell you about the type of solution made?
_________________________
6. What was different about the reaction of potassium?
____________________________
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7. What is the pattern between the reactivity of the metals and its Group
position?
___________________________________________________________
______

(ASK IF YOU NEED A CLUE!)

8. Are you able to predict the reactivity of rubidium and caesium?

____________________

Explain why
___________________________________________________________

10. How are the Group 1 metals different to typical metals?

1. _____________________________________
2. _____________________________________
3. _____________________________________

EXTENSION

11. Can you write/make a word equation and symbol equation for each
reaction?

1. ________ + ___________ ___________ + _____________

2. ________ + ___________ ___________ + _____________

3 ________ + ___________ ___________ + _____________

Trends in group 1 – The alkali metals Look at the table below:

Element Atomic number Melting point (oC)

Lithium 3 180

21
Sodium 11 98

Potassium 19 63

Rubidium 37

Casesium 55 29

On a piece of graph paper plot the melting point (y axis) against the atomic number (x

axis). Draw a line of best fit. Predict the melting point of Rubidium. _____________

Questions

1. How does the melting point change as you go down Group 1?

2. What state are these elements likely to exist in at room temperature?

___________________________________________________________

3. How does the size of the atom change as you go down a group?

___________________________________________________________

4. Describe how the size of the atom changes with the melting point.
________________________________________________________

5.Copper has a melting point of 1084oC, how are the alkali metals different from

transition metals like copper and gold? _______________

Displacement reactions of Halogens
Placing 2 drops of each of the following combinations of solutions in
a well in your tiles. Complete the table below with your observations;

Potassium Potassium Potassium

chloride bromide iodide
solution solution solution and
starch

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Chlorine water

Bromine water

Iodine water

1) What is meant by displacement?

2) Put the 3 halogens in order of reactivity

most________________________________least reactive

3) Complete the following word equations

Potassium bromide + Chlorine 

Potassium chloride + Bromine 

Potassium chloride + Fluorine 

23
Group Seven : The Halogens.
1. Give the names and symbols of 3 group seven elements.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Complete the table below.

Halogen Appearance

3 Are the Halogens metals or non metals ?

4 Are the halogens reactive?

5 Where are the Hologens found in the periodic table.

6. How does reactivity change as you go down group seven?

…………………………………………………..

7. Describe the uses for a) fluorine ………………………………………………………….

b) chlorine ………………………………………………………….
c) bromine ……………………………………………………………

Elements in Group 7 (halogens)

A. Write down the names or symbols of the first 5 elements in Group 7
1. ____________________

2. ____________________

3. ____________________

4. ____________________

5. ____________________

Trends in Group 7 – The Halogens

24
 Look at the table below:
halogen atomic boiling point
number (°C)
fluorine 9 –188
chlorine 17 –34
bromine 35 58
iodine 53 184

Plot this information on the graph below:

200

100
boil

ing

poi o

-100

–200

Atomin No 10 20 30 40 50 60
Questions
1 What is the pattern going down Group 7?

2 Which halogens are gases at room temperature (25 °C)?

3 Astatine is below iodine in Group 7.

Predict its physical state at room temperature.
_____________________

Trends and properties of group 7

25
I. Complete the table to describe their appearance of chlorine,
bromine and iodine by using:
(a) information provided by your teacher OR
(b) research the information on the internet Or
(c) observing samples provided or
(d) watching video

Halogen Solid liquid or Gas Appearance

at 25o
Fluorine

Chlorine

Bromine

Iodine

Elements in Group O (noble gases)

1 Another name for noble gases is inert gases. Why do you think inert means?
________________________________________________

2 Write down the names or symbols of the first 5 elements in Group 0

26
a. ____________________

b. ____________________

c. ____________________

d. ____________________

e. ____________________

3 Which group of the periodic table are the Noble Gases in?

________________________________________________

4 Are the Noble gases metals or non-metals?

________________________________________________

5 Give a use for each of the 5 Noble Gases.

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

How reactive are the Noble Gases?

___________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

8E Target Sheet
Topic Targets Before the unit I have learned I have revised
this this
3 Know that all materials are made of
elements combined together.

27
 1 Know the names of some chemical
elements.
2 Know what the smallest part of an
element is called.
3 Know how elements are different from
non-elements in terms of particles.
4 Know how to write chemical symbols for
elements correctly.
1 Know how to sort things into metals and
non-metals.
2 Know examples of some properties of
metals
3 Know which properties apply to metals,
and which to non-metals.
4 Know where to find metals and non-
metals in the Periodic Table.
1 Know how to explain the difference
between an element and a compound.
4 Know how to explain the difference
between an atom and a molecule.
1 Know what the periodic table is and how
elements are arranged in it.
2 Know what a group in the periodic table is
3 Know what a period in the periodic table
is
4 Know the properties of group 1 elements
5 Know the trends in the properties of group
1 elements
6 Know the properties of group 7 elements
7 Know the trends in the properties of group
7 elements
8 Know the properties of the noble gases

Atoms and elements Review of year 7

Elements
An element is a simple substance that cannot be split into anything simpler by chemical
reactions. Atoms are the smallest particles of an element that can exist. Atoms of one element
are all the same, and are different from atoms of all the other elements.

28
There are over 100 different elements. All the elements are shown in the Periodic Table.
Each element has a chemical symbol, which is usually one or two letters. A symbol is
written with the first letter as a capital, and the second letter is small.

carbon C oxygen
nitrogen N hydrogen
gold Au silver
copper Cu aluminium

Metals and non-metals

The properties of a substance are the words that we use to describe it, or measurements that
we can make on it. Metals and non-metals have different properties.

Metals Non-metals
good conductors of heat and electricity poor conductors of heat and electricity
shiny dull
solids with a high melting point (except for mercury) most are solids or gases
found on the left-hand side of the Periodic Table found on the right-hand side of the Periodic Table
three metals are magnetic no non-metals are magnetic
metals can burn to form alkaline oxides non-metals can burn to form acidic oxides
flexible brittle

Compounds
Elements can join together to make compounds. The name of the compound tells you the
elements that are in it. Compounds made from two elements always have a name which ends
in ‘-ide’.

These elements join together … … to make these compounds

carbon, oxygen carbon dioxide
sodium, chlorine sodium chloride
magnesium, oxygen magnesium oxide

A chemical formula tells you the name and number of atoms in a compound. The smallest
particle of many compounds is called a molecule. Molecules are made up of atoms. Some
29
elements are also made of molecules. For example, a molecule of oxygen contains two
oxygen atoms joined together. The formula is O2.

Elements Compounds Mixtures

atoms of helium (He) molecules of carbon dioxide (CO2) a mixture of helium and oxygen

molecules of oxygen (O2) molecules of water (H2O) a mixture of carbon dioxide

and oxygen

a lump of carbon (C) a lump of sodium chloride (NaCl) a lump of bronze

(an alloy of copper and tin)

8E Word Sheets
Word sheets that include new words from the ‘Focus on:’ pages are available on the
Exploring Science website.

8Ea – The material world

Word Meaning
calcium A metal which reacts easily with water.
element All the atoms in an element are the same. A substance that cannot be split
up into anything simpler by chemical reactions.
metals Elements that are shiny, conduct heat and electricity well, and often have
high melting and boiling points.
30
 non-metals Elements that are not shiny, and do not conduct heat and electricity well.
Periodic Table Table that shows all the elements.
potassium Soft, shiny, reactive, silver-coloured metal.

8Eb – Elementary

Word Meaning
alloy A mixture of different metals.
atom The smallest part of an element you can get.
element All the atoms in an element are the same. A substance that cannot be split
up into anything simpler by chemical reactions.
mixture Two or more different substances that are not joined to each other.
symbol The letter or letters that represent an element.

31
8Ec – Metal detecting/Fire and brimstone

Word Meaning
electrical Something which allows electricity to flow through it easily.
conductor
heat conductor Something which allows heat to flow through it easily.
high melting Something with a high melting point has to be at a very high
point temperature before it melts. It is a solid at room temperature.
low boiling point Something with a low boiling point will turn into a gas at a relatively
low temperature. It can be a solid, liquid or gas at room temperature.
low melting point Something with a low melting point turns into a liquid at a relatively
low temperature. It can be a solid, liquid or gas at room temperature.
magnetic A metal (iron, nickel or cobalt) that can be magnetised or attracted to a
magnet.
metals Elements that are shiny, conduct heat and electricity well, and often
have high melting and boiling points.
non-metals Elements that are not shiny, and do not conduct heat and electricity well.
properties Ways of describing a substance.
shiny Reflects light well.
sulphur A yellow, non-metal element. Solid at room temperature
.

8Ed – Getting it together

Word Meaning
chemical formula A combination of symbols and numbers that show how many atoms of
different kinds there are in a particular compound.
compounds Substances that can be split up into simpler substances.
molecule Two or more atoms joined together.
symbol equation A way of writing out what happens in a chemical reaction using the
symbols that represent the substances involved.

8Ee – Compound interest

Word Meaning
product New chemical formed in a chemical reaction.
reactants Chemicals that join together to form a new substance.
sodium chloride Chemical name for common salt.
Revision skills

32
What did you eat for breakfast on Wednesday two weeks ago? Very few people will
be able to answer this question! Things that are not important to remember get
stored in your brain’s short-term memory. To remember things for a test or exam,
you need to store information in your long-term memory.
When revising
1. Divide your revision into small chunks of between 20 and 40 minutes
2. Take a break (5-10 minutes) between each ‘chunk’ of revision

How to revise
1. This step gets things into your short-term memory
Write down key words and short notes, while you are revising,
We can all read pages and pages of information without taking it in. Our minds are very good
at day-dreaming! However, do not rewrite all your notes. That is a waste of time.

2. This step gets things into your long-term memory.

Once you have written down key words for a particular topic, look through them
again
If possible spend 5 or 10 minutes in the evening, going through the key words and
short notes you have made that day. The more you look at these brief notes
(reviewing) the more likely the information is to stick in your long-term memory. Make
sure you do this step, otherwise you will lose the information you have worked hard
to get into your short-term memory.
3. This step makes sure that things stay in your long-term memory for years to come

Use learning skills.

 You could try repeating things you need to learn, over and over again.
 You could try making up silly words of phrases (mnemonics) to help you remember.
 You could try drawing diagrams to help you remember Mind maps are often helpful.

Mind Maps

33
 A mind map can help you organise all the facts that you know about a particular
topic. You can try to draw a mind map from memory. Or you can use a summary or
other piece of text to help you.
The example below shows some information about the Solar System, and a mind
map that can be made from it. There are lots of different mind maps that you could
draw based on this information – the one shown is not the only correct version!
The first step is to highlight all the key words in the text. The key words are
underlined below.
Our planet, Earth is one of nine planets in the Solar System. These nine planets all orbit (or travel
around) the Sun. The Sun is the only star in our Solar System. Rocks called asteroids have orbits
between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, and has the shortest year. Pluto is the furthest from the
Sun, has the longest year, and is the coldest planet.

The Moon is a satellite of the Earth. It orbits the Earth. The Moon does not make its own light. We
can see it because it reflects light from the Sun.
Once you have your key words, write them on a piece of paper, and show the links
between them.
Once you have your key words, write them on a piece of paper, and show the links
between them.

Jupiter Asteroids
Orbit between Mars and

Small bits of rock

Star
Planets The Solar System
The one At the centre
we live on is the
Which is a

Sun
Earth The closest
planet is The furthest
planet is
Which is Mercury
orbited by
the Pluto
Moon
Which has the Which has the
shortest longest

satellit Year
e

34
Metals and the reactivity Series
Reactivity Series
The following is a list of common metals that are in alphabetical order. What is
your best guess at the order of reactivity from the most to the least reactive.
By the end of this topic you can see how close you were!

Alphabetical order Your best guess

Aluminium
calcium
[Carbon}
Copper
Iron
[Hydrogen]
Gold
Lithium
Magnesium
Mercury
Platinum
Potassium
Silver
Sodium
Zinc

35
9Fb1 Reactions of metals with acids 1
Prediction
You will be using calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and zinc.
Make a prediction of the order of reactivity of these metals with acid, starting with the most
reactive one.

1___________________ 2 ___________________

3___________________ 4 ___________________ 5 ___________________

Apparatus
• Test tube rack • Five test tubes
• Wooden splints • Eye protection
• Dilute hydrochloric acid • Bunsen burner Do not touch the pieces
• Samples of calcium, copper, • Heatproof mat of calcium. Your teacher
iron, magnesium and zinc will handle the calcium
using forceps.
Wear eye protection.

Method
1 Take a dry test tube to your teacher, who will give you a piece of calcium.
2 Fill a different test tube about 1/3 full with dilute hydrochloric acid.
3 Carefully tip the piece of calcium into the test tube containing the acid.
4 Add a piece of one of the metals.
5 If any gas is given off, test it with a lighted splint.
6 Feel the tube to see if it is warm.
7 Look to see if the metal has reacted in the acid.
8 Record your results in the table.
9 Repeat the test with other metals.

Recording your results

Use this table to record your results.

Metal Did you get Did the gas burn Did the metal Did the tube get
bubbles? with a pop? react? warm?
calcium
copper
iron
magnesium
zinc

36
Considering your results/conclusions

How many metals reacted? __________

How many did not react? __________

What is the name of the gas that is given off?

__________________________________________

List the metals in order of reactivity, from the highest to the lowest.

1 ___________________________

2 ___________________________

3 ___________________________

4 ___________________________

5 ___________________________

How does this list compare with your predictions?

37
9Fb5 Metals and acids 1
1Draw lines to link the correct metal to each description Which metal:
A reacts steadily with acids to give an orange-brown solution calcium
B reacts quickly with water and acids copper
C could explode if you reacted it with an acid iron
D does not react with water or acids magnesium
E reacts with acids and reacts very slowly with water sodium
2 When metals react with acids, which gas is given off? Circle the right answer.

hydrogen oxygen helium carbon dioxide

3 How do we test for this gas? Tick the correct box.

A B C D

ARelights a BTurns lime CBurns with a DPuts out a

glowing splint water milky squeaky pop burning splint

38
4 You have got some sulphuric acid that you need to store.
You could store it in: a steel can, a glass jar or a plastic bottle.

A Which container is most likely to be corroded by the acid? ______________________

b Which container would be most likely to break if you dropped it? _________________

c Which container would be the lightest and most flexible? ________________________

d How would you choose to store the acid? ___________________________________

e Why? ________________________________________________________________

39
9Fa3 Reactions with water
Aluminium Al No reaction with
cold or hot water. Will react with
steam to produce aluminium oxide
and hydrogen.
calcium
CaReacts rapidly with cold water.
Hydrogen gas is given off. The water
turns milky white.
Copper
CuNo reaction with cold or hot
water. No reaction with steam.
Gold Au No reaction with cold or
hot water. No reaction with steam.
Iron
Fe
Iron will rust slowly in cold water.
40
Magnesium Mg Very slow reaction
with cold water. Slow reaction with
hot water. Reacts readily with steam
to form magnesium oxide and
hydrogen.
potassium KViolent
reaction. Potassium floats on the
surface of the water, melts and then
catches fire. Burns with a lilac
coloured flame. Hydrogen gas given
off.
silver
AgNo reaction with cold or hot
water. No reaction with steam
Sodium Na Rapid reaction. Sodium
floats on water, and moves around
rapidly. Heat from the reaction
melts the sodium. Hydrogen gas
given off.
zinc
Zn No reaction with cold or hot
water. Will react slowly with steam
to produce zinc oxide and hydrogen.
9Fb3 Reactions of metals with acids 3
aluminium
Al
Steady reaction with acids
giving off hydrogen gas, once
the protective layer has been
‘stripped off’ by the acid.
calcium
Ca
Very rapid reaction with
acids. Hydrogen gas is given
off. Heat from the reaction
means that the liquid in the
tube gets hot.
copper
Cu
No reaction with most dilute
acids. Copper will react with
concentrated acids.
gold
Au
No reaction with any dilute
acids. Only the strongest
mixtures of concentrated acids
will attack gold.
iron
Fe
Slow reaction with dilute
acids to produce hydrogen
41
magnesium
Mg
Rapid reaction with acids
giving off hydrogen gas. Heat
from the reaction means that
the tube will get warm.
potassium
K
Violently explosive reaction
with acids. Potassium reacts
with the acid forming
hydrogen gas. This reaction
should not be attempted in the
laboratory.
silver
Ag
No reaction with most dilute
acids. Silver will react with
some concentrated acids.
sodium
Na
Very violent reaction with
acids. Possibly explosive.
Sodium reacts with the acid
forming hydrogen gas. This
reaction should not be
attempted in the laboratory.
zinc
Zn
Steady reaction with dilute
acids to produce hydrogen.
 9Fa4 Metals and water 1
1 Some metals react with water and others do not. Unscramble the letters to get the
correct metal.

A I do sum floats on water and reacts very quickly to form an alkali

______________________
B Mega minus burns with a bright white flame and reacts very slowly with cold water
______________________
C Orni goes rusty if you leave it in water ______________________
D Imacluc reacts quickly with water and makes the water go white
______________________
E Pc rope is used for piping because it does not react with water
______________________
2 Put the five metals in order, from the most reactive to the least reactive.

1____________________ 2 ____________________

3 ____________________ 4 ____________________

5 ____________________

3 Emma did an experiment in which she looked at the reactions of metals in air. She
got these results: sodium (most reactive), magnesium, calcium, iron, copper (least reactive).
How do Emma’s results compare with your answer to question 2? Tick the correct box.

The order is exactly the same.

The order of reactivity is roughly the same, but there are some differences.*
The order is totally different.*
*If you ticked one of these boxes, say what the differences are here:

_____________________________________________________________________
4 Complete the word equations for these reactions. Here is an example:

sodium + water  sodium hydroxide + hydrogen

a calcium + water  calcium hydroxide + _______________

b _______________ + water  potassium hydroxide + hydrogen

c _______________ + _______________  lithium hydroxide + hydrogen

42
SALTS - 9Fb6 Metals and acids 2
A salt is a compound made when an acid is neutralised. It has a
metal start and the acid ending e.g Copper Sulphate CuSO4.

Acid Formula Salt Formula

Hydrochloric HCI Sodium chloride NaCI
acid
Sulphuric acid H2SO4 Calcium CaSO4
sulphate
Nitric acid HNO3 Potassium KNO3
nitrate
Carbonic acid H2CO3 Zinc carbonate ZnCO3

Metal + Acid  Salt + hydrogen

Calcium + Sulphuric acid  Calcium sulphate + hydrogen

Ca + H2SO4  CaSO4 + H2

Exercise

1 When metals react with acids, a gas may be given off.

A Name the gas______________________________________________

How do we test for this gas?

_____________________________________________________

2 Complete the word equations for these reactions. Here is an example:

calcium + hydrochloric acid  calcium chloride + hydrogen

a calcium + nitric acid  calcium nitrate + _________________

b _________________ + hydrochloric acid  zinc chloride + hydrogen

c magnesium + _________________ acid  magnesium chloride + hydrogen

d_________________ + sulphuric acid  iron sulphate + _________________

43
3 Put these formulae next to the correct acid in the table.

H2SO4 HCl HNO3

Acid Chemical formula

nitric
sulphuric
hydrochloric

4 You have got some sulphuric acid that you need to store.
You could store it in a metal can, a glass jar or a plastic bottle.
Give advantages and disadvantages for each type of container, and say which one
you think would be the best to choose.
Advantages of a metal can ___________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
Advantages of a glass jar ____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

Advantages of a plastic bottle __________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
Disadvantages of a metal can __________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
Disadvantages of a glass jar

______________________________________________________________________Disad
vantages of a plastic bottle
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________
Which would you choose? ____________________________________________

Why?
_____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

44
9Eb3 Fizzing metals
1a Name the metal in this experiment.
bName the acid in this experiment.
cHow can you tell that a reaction is occurring?
dA gas is given off which produces a squeaky
pop.
Which gas is it? Choose from the following:
oxygen hydrogen nitrogen
carbon dioxide argon

eIf you wanted to collect this gas, which of these sets of apparatus would you use?

fExplain how the apparatus that you have chosen works.

2The reaction between zinc and hydrochloric acid produces a salt called zinc chloride. If we
had used sulphuric acid instead, the salt would be called zinc sulphate. Copy and complete
these word equations.

a zinc + hydrochloric acid  _______________ + _______________

b zinc + _______________  zinc sulphate + _______________

c _______________ + hydrochloric acid  aluminium chloride + __________

d aluminium + sulphuric acid  _______________ + _______________

3 Some metals are unreactive and will not react with acids. From this list, which
metal would you not expect to react with acids?
zinc aluminium magnesium gold calcium

45
9Eb6 What would happen if … ?
Metal Reaction with acid
sodium reacts very vigorously
calcium
magnesium 
aluminium Reactions become more vigorous as
zinc you go up the table.
iron |
lead slow reaction
copper no reaction
silver no reaction
gold no reaction
Table of reactivity.

For each of the following reactions, predict:

A whether there will be any reaction between the metal and the acid
B how fast that reaction will be
C what the products will be, writing a word and/or symbol equation for each reaction.

Use the table of reactivity to help you.

1 zinc + hydrochloric acid

2 zinc + sulphuric acid

3 magnesium + hydrochloric acid

4 gold + sulphuric acid

5 sodium + hydrochloric acid

6 copper + hydrochloric acid

7 lead + hydrochloric acid

8 iron + sulphuric acid

46
9Fc1 Displacement reactions 1
In this experiment, you will investigate the reactions of metal elements with compounds of
other metals.

Planning
1 Collect a copy of the results sheet (9Fc/2).
2 Choose a colour, and underline the four elements.
3 Choose a different colour, and underline the four compounds.
4 Fill in the key by your table to show the colours of the elements and compounds.

Apparatus
• Test tube rack • Test tubes
• Eye protection • Thermometer
• 3 pieces each of copper, iron, lead and magnesium Wear eye protection.
• Solutions of copper sulphate, iron sulphate, lead nitrate and
magnesium sulphate

Method
1 Take three test tubes, and fill them about 1/3 full with copper sulphate solution.
2 Add a small piece of iron to one tube, lead to the second tube and magnesium to
the third tube.
3Leave the tubes for several minutes. Check to see if there is any reaction. Look for:
•colour changes on the surface of the metal
•colour changes in the solution
•bubbles of gas given off
•a temperature rise.

4 Write your results in the table.

5 Repeat the experiment with the other solutions.

Considering your results/conclusions

5 Add up the total number of reactions for each of the metals, and write it in the table.
6 Put the metals in order of reactivity.
7 Add up the total number of reactions for each of the compounds and write it in the table.
8 Put the compounds in order of reactivity.
9 How does the list of metals compare with the list of compounds?
10 Here is a word equation for the reaction of zinc with copper sulphate:

zinc + copper sulphate  copper + zinc sulphate

Write word equations for the reactions that took place in your experiments.

47
9Fc2 Displacement reactions results
sheet
Results sheet

copper iron lead nitrate magnesium total

sulphate sulphate sulphate reactions

copper X

iron X

lead X

magnesium X

total

Key
elements compounds

Order of reactivity of metals: Order of reactivity of compounds:

1 ____________________________________ 1
____________________________________

2 ____________________________________ 2
____________________________________

3 ____________________________________ 3
____________________________________

4 ____________________________________ 4
____________________________________

[ observing, considering ]
48
wordsearch 1
There are 15 metals hidden in the word search grid. The names all go across or down.

1 Sort the metals into three groups – high, medium and low reactivity. Some have
been done for you.
2 Choose one colour for each group and show this on your chart.
3 Find the metals on the word search grid.
4 Colour them in the correct colour.

Metals: aluminium calcium copper gold iron

lead lithium magnesium mercury platinum
potassium sodium silver tin zinc

High reactivity Medium reactivity Low reactivity

lithium tin mercury
platinum

Colour code: Colour code: Colour code:

S P A L U M I N I U M
T O V E R E V E R P O
U T S A B R I G O L D
C A P D Z C R S N A L
A S O D I U M I R T I
L S T I N R I L T I T
C I I A C Y O V E N H
I U U C O P P E R U I
U M X I N C M R A M U
M A G N E S I U M U M

49
9Fd3 Reactive and unreactive metals 1
1 Write the name of the correct metal in the space provided.
Choose your answers from the box.

copper gold iron magnesium sodium

Which metal:
A is used in jewellery because it stays shiny? ________________

b burns with a bright white flame? ________________

c goes rusty? ________________

d is used in coins and slowly goes black in air? ________________

e reacts very quickly with the air before you put it in a flame? ________________

2 a Which two metals in the list are the most reactive?__________

b Which two metals in the list are the least reactive? ________________

3 Unscramble the names of these metals using the clues to help you.

A deal is a metal that is used for roofing because it does not react with air and water

B nit is used for coating cans because it is less reactive than iron

c livers is a metal used for jewellery because it is unreactive ________________

d atoms is up is a metal which is more reactive than sodium ________________

4 Complete the word equations for these reactions. Here is an example:

aluminium + oxygen  aluminium oxide

a sodium + oxygen  ________________ oxide

b ________________ + oxygen  magnesium oxide

c copper + oxygen  ________________

d calcium + ________________ calcium oxide

e iron + oxygen  ________________ ________________

9E Summary Sheets
Reactions of metals and metal compounds
50
The properties of a substance are the words that we use to describe it, or measurements that we
can make on it. Metals and non-metals have different properties.

Metals … Non-metals …
are good conductors of heat and electricity are poor conductors of heat and electricity (except for
carbon in the form of graphite which conducts electricity)
are shiny are dull
are solids, often with high melting points (except for are mostly solids or gases
mercury)
are found on the left-hand side of the Periodic Table are found on the right-hand side of the Periodic Table
are sometimes magnetic – three metals are magnetic are never magnetic
(iron, cobalt and nickel)
form basic oxides form acidic oxides
are rigid when thick and bendy when thin are brittle
can be hammered into shape cannot be hammered into shape – the solid ones break

Metals and acids

Many metals react with acids. Some unreactive metals will only react very slowly with strong acids,
some will not react at all. Some metals are more reactive and explode when added to acid.

When a metal reacts with an acid, hydrogen gas is given off. The reaction also produces a compound
called a salt.

There are three main types of salt:

Chlorides are made when hydrochloric acid is used.

Sulphates are made when sulphuric acid is used.

Nitrates are made when nitric acid is used.

The general equation is:

acid + metal salt + hydrogen

For example:

hydrochloric acid + zinc  zinc chloride + hydrogen

We can test for hydrogen by putting a burning splint into a test tube of gas. If hydrogen is present, it
will explode with a squeaky ‘pop’.

51
9F Summary Sheets
Patterns of reactivity
Metals may react with substances around them in the environment such as air,
water and acids.

Some metals react very easily or quickly. They are reactive. Other metals do not react very
easily and are described as unreactive. The most reactive metals are found on the left-hand
side of the Periodic Table. Less reactive metals are found in the centre of the Periodic Table.

Some gases are more reactive than others. In the air, oxygen is the most reactive gas.
Nitrogen is not very reactive. When metals react with the oxygen in the air they form oxides.

metal + oxygen  metal oxide

The metals that react quickly with air also tend to react with water. When metals react with
water they form hydrogen gas and a metal hydroxide.

metal + water  metal hydroxide + hydrogen

The metals that react with water also react very quickly with acids. Some metals that don’t
react with water do react with acids. When metals react with acids, they produce hydrogen
and a salt.

metal + acid  salt + hydrogen

The name of the salt formed depends on the name of the acid:

• sulphuric acid makes sulphates

• nitric acid makes nitrates
• hydrochloric acid makes chlorides.

Reactivity Series
Metals can be arranged in a Reactivity Series. The most reactive metals are placed at the top
of the table.

More reactive metals can displace less reactive metals from their compounds. In a
displacement reaction, the more reactive metal will form a compound, and the less reactive
metal is left on its own as the pure element.

For example, iron is more reactive than copper, so it will displace copper from a compound.

iron + copper chloride  iron chloride + copper

52
Zinc is more reactive than iron, so iron will not displace zinc from a compound.

iron + zinc chloride  no reaction

You can use displacement reactions to work out the position of a metal in the Reactivity
Series. For instance, zinc will displace lead from a compound, so we know that zinc is more
reactive than lead. The Reactivity Series can also be used to predict whether reactions will
occur.

The reactivity of metals can be linked to their uses. Metals used for construction need to have
a low reactivity, otherwise they will corrode away. Some metals, such as aluminium, have a
natural protective oxide layer. Others, such as iron, have to be protected from corrosion, e.g.
by painting.

Many low reactivity metals have been known for hundreds or thousands of years. They can
be extracted by heating their compounds in a fire.

More reactive metals are extracted by electrolysis. This means that they have
only been discovered in the last two hundred years, since the invention of the
electric battery.

53
9Fc6 Reactivity
Metals and water 2
1 Choose your answers from the words in the box. Each answer is used only once.

calcium copper iron lead magnesium potassium sodium

Give the name of:

A two metals which float on water and react very quickly to form alkalis
B a metal which burns with a bright white flame and reacts slowly with cold water
C a metal which goes rusty if you leave it in water
D a metal which reacts quickly with water and makes the water go white
E a metal which is still used for piping because it does not react with water
F a metal which used to be used for piping but is no longer used because of the risk of
poisoning the water supply.

2 Look at the sketch of the Periodic Table.

Which section of the table
includes:
A unreactive metals and non-metals
B the most reactive metals
C metals that are less reactive.

3 Two of the metals in the list below react with water, giving off a gas and
producing metal hydroxides. The other two metals do not react.

sodium lead copper calcium

a Which two metals do not react?
B Write word equations for the reactions of the other two metals with water.

4 Carlton wrote in his exercise book:

Do you agree with Carlton or not? Explain your answer.

54
9Fb7 Metals and acids 3
1 The symbol equation for the reaction of zinc with sulphuric acid is:

Zn + H2SO4  ZnSO4 + H2

aHow many atoms are there in a molecule of hydrogen gas?

bName one compound in this equation that does not contain a metal.
cWhat is the name of the compound with the formula ZnSO4?
dThis is a balanced equation. Explain the meaning of ‘balanced’ in terms of numbers of
atoms.
eWrite a similar balanced symbol equation equation for the reaction of magnesium with
sulphuric acid.
2The formula of zinc chloride is ZnCl2. Here is an equation which shows the formulae of all
the substances that take part in the reaction:

Zn + HCl  ZnCl2 + H2

aWrite the formulae for:

• the two reactants
• the two products.
bThe equation above is not fully correct. It is not balanced. Explain why it is wrong.
The balanced equation is written like this:

Zn + 2HCl  ZnCl2 + H2
c This diagram illustrates the equation.

In the diagram, which symbol represents:

i an atom of zinc
ii an atom of hydrogen
iii a molecule of hydrogen?
D Kevin wrote that the correct symbol equation should be Zn + HCl  ZnCl + H

Kevin’s equation is balanced, but it is not correct. Explain why Kevin’s equation is
not correct.

55
9F Quick Quiz
On your answer sheet, write in or circle the correct letter for each question.
9Fa
1 The gas in the air that reacts with metals most easily is:
A argon. B carbon dioxide.
C nitrogen. D oxygen.

2 A metal that does not react with the air is:

A calcium. B gold.
C iron. D magnesium.

3 The gas which is given off when metals react with water is:
A carbon dioxide. B hydrogen.
C oxygen. D nitrogen.

4 Sodium reacts with water to form:

A sodium chloride.
B sodium oxide.
C sodium hydroxide.
D sodium carbonate.

9Fb
1 The gas which is given off when metals react with acids is:
A carbon dioxide. B hydrogen.
C oxygen. D nitrogen.

2 When magnesium reacts with sulphuric acid, it forms:

A magnesium oxide.
B magnesium chloride.
C magnesium sulphate.
D magnesium carbonate.

56
3 Look at these diagrams, and then choose the correct order of reactivity for metals
X, Y and Z (the most reactive metal should be first).

A Z, X, Y B Y, Z, X
C X, Y, Z D Z, Y, X

4 Choose the correct statement to complete this word equation:

zinc + sulphuric acid 
A zinc + sulphur + acid
B zinc hydrate + sulphur
C zinc sulphate + hydrogen
D zinc hydroxide + hydrogen

9Fc
1 Iron is more reactive than copper. If a piece of iron is put into copper sulphate
solution, what would you see?
A Brown copper would appear on the iron.
B Blue copper would appear on the iron.
C Nothing would happen.
D the iron would dissolve completely.

2 Zinc is more reactive than tin. It will displace tin from a compound. Choose the
correct statement to complete this word equation:
zinc + tin sulphate 
A zinc + tin sulphate
B zinc + zinc sulphate
C tin + zinc sulphate
D tin + zinc chloride

3 Copper is more reactive than silver. Iron is more reactive than copper. This means
that:
A copper will react with iron nitrate solution.
B silver will react with iron nitrate solution.
C iron will react with silver nitrate solution.
D silver will react with copper nitrate solution.

57
4 Zinc reacts with copper sulphate solution and silver nitrate solution. This means
that zinc:
A is more reactive than copper and silver.
B is less reactive than copper and silver.
C is less reactive than copper but more reactive than silver.
D is less reactive than silver but more reactive than copper.

9Fd
1 Which of these materials is used to make most car bodies?
A plastic
B aluminium
C copper
D steel

2 Some window frames are made of aluminium. It is a good metal to use because:
A it conducts electricity.
B it conducts heat.
C it does not melt easily.
D it does not react very quickly with air or water.

58
59