CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS

Metals

MOST REACTIVE

LEAST REACTIVE
1. REACTION WITH OXYGEN
1. REACTION WITH OXYGEN

2Mg + O2 2MgO

2Cu + O2 2CuO

4Al + O2 2Al2O3
 o st all)
(Al m

METAL + OXYGEN

METAL OXIDE

Au and Ag

DO NOT REACT WITH OXYGEN

1. REACTION WITH OXYGEN

Na, K
Dipped in kerosene Vigorous Reaction Most reactive

Burns with a dazzling white flame Mg

Al, Zn,
Fe, Cu

Least reactive

Noble metals No reaction Au, Ag

 Na, K
Dipped in kerosene Vigorous Reaction Most reactive

Burns with a dazzling white flame Mg

Al, Zn,
Fe, Cu

Least reactive
Noble metals No reaction Au, Ag
2. REACTION WITH WATER
2. REACTION WITH WATER

LE)
B
O LU
(S

METAL+ H2O METAL OXIDE +H2

+
H2O

METAL HYDROXIDE
2Na +2H2O 2NaOH + H2 + heat
Cold Burn

K + H2 O ?

Ca +2H2O Ca(OH)2 + H2 + heat

Cold
 Mg(OH)2 + H2 + heat
Mg +2H2O
Warm

2Al +3H2O Al2O3 + 3H2 + heat

Steam

Zn, Fe

Cu, Pb
Au and Ag

DO NOT REACT WITH WATER

 H2 burns Na, K Cold water
Most reactive

H2 doesn’t burn Ca Cold water

Mg Hot water

Al, Zn,
Steam
Fe

Cu, Pb No reaction Least reactive

Au, Ag
Nature of Metal Oxides
Basic

Acid + Base Salt + Water

Acid + ? Salt + Water

2HCl +Na2O 2NaCl + H2O

2HCl +CaO CaCl2 + H2O

EXCEPTIONS
AMPHOTERIC OXIDES

Acid + Base Salt + Water

6HCl + Al2O3 2AlCl3 + 3H2O

Al2O3 + 2NaOH 2NaAlO2 + H2O

Sodium aluminate

2HCl + ZnO ZnCl2 + H2O

ZnO + NaOH Na2ZnO2 + H2O

Sodium zincate
3. REACTION WITH DILUTE ACIDS
3. REACTION WITH DILUTE
ACIDS

METAL+ ACID SALT + H2

(dilute)

Zn +2HCl ZnCl2 + H2 + heat

Mg +2HCl MgCl2 + H2 + heat

Mg > Zn
REACTION WITH DILUTE ACIDS

Mg > Al > Zn >Fe > Cu

 Na, K
Most reactive
Ca

Mg

Al

Zn

Fe

Cu, Pb
Au, Ag Least reactive
Metal + HNO3 H2O
Oxidising No hydrogen
agent

Mg/Mn + HNO3 H2
very
Dilute
 Na, K
Most reactive
Ca

Mg

Al

Zn

Fe

Cu, Pb
Au, Ag Least reactive