Reactivity of Metals Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

State the reactivity series in order from most to least reactive (including carbon and hydrogen).

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

Which of calcium, copper, silver and gold reacts with cold water?

Calcium. Copper, silver and gold do not react with cold water.

Why does copper produce no effervescence with dilute hydrochloric acid?

Copper is not reactive enough / low in the reactivity series (less reactive than hydrogen).

What does a metal's position in the reactivity series tell you about its atoms?

The higher up, the greater the tendency of its atoms to form cations (positive ions).

True or false? A metal high in the reactivity series resists oxidation better than a metal low in the series.

False. Metals low in the series (e.g. gold) resist oxidation best; reactive metals oxidise easily.

How does iron react with cold water compared with steam?

It reacts only very slowly with cold water, but it does react with steam.