8.

3:Reaction of metals with oxygen

Learner’s Book 8
 Oxidation reaction

• Reaction between metals and oxygen is called

Oxidation reaction.
• The general word equation for this reaction:

Metal + Oxygen  metal oxide

• Sodium , magnesium and potassium are examples of highly
reactive metals which react with Oxygen to make the metal oxide.

• Some metals ,such as gold , do not react with oxygen. They are
generally unreactive. They are described as inert.
• Silver reacts slowly with the air
• If silver object is not cleaned it goes black over time , as silver
oxide is formed.
 The reaction between iron and oxygen

• When iron is left in damp air it rusts.

• The iron reacts with oxygen to form an orange-
brown solid, called iron oxide.
• This is known as rust.
• The reaction between iron and oxygen only takes
place when both oxygen and water are present.
• The reaction takes long time to happen.
• The reaction is not very reactive with oxygen.
 How can iron be protected?

• 1. Iron can be painted; this stops the oxygen in the air

changing the iron.
 How can iron be protected?
• 2. Iron can be galvanized; this means covering the iron
with a layer of zinc which prevents the oxygen
reaching the iron.