Reactivity of Metals Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What is the reactivity series order (most to least reactive) from potassium to gold, including carbon and hydrogen?

Potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, (carbon), zinc, iron, (hydrogen), copper, silver, gold.

Which metals in the reactivity series react readily with cold water?

Potassium, sodium and calcium (the most reactive metals), forming a metal hydroxide and hydrogen.

What is produced when a metal reacts with a dilute acid?

A salt and hydrogen.

e.g. magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen

Why is a metal high in the reactivity series more reactive, in terms of cations?

Its atoms have a greater tendency to lose electrons and form cations (positive ions).

True or false? Copper reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to give hydrogen.

False. Copper is below hydrogen in the reactivity series, so it does not react with dilute acids.

When equal-sized pieces of different metals are added to the same dilute acid, how do you deduce the order of reactivity?

The faster the bubbling (rate of hydrogen production), the more reactive the metal.