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The Reactivity Series

Inorganic Chemistry · 1 question type

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4CH1 Topics

Group 1: The Alkali Metals5%
Group 7: The Halogens6%
Gases in the Atmosphere5%
The Reactivity Series6%
  1. Metals with Water and Acids
  2. Metal Displacement Reactions
  3. The Reactivity Series
  4. Rusting and Its Prevention
  5. Oxidation and Reduction (Redox)
  6. Practical: Investigating Metals Reacting with Acids
Extraction and Uses of Metals6%
Acids, Alkalis and Titrations10%
Acids, Bases and Salt Preparations8%
Chemical Tests8%

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Above avg (10 to 13%)
Average (<10%)

Exam Frequency Analysis

Past paper frequency (2018 to 2024)

This topic accounts for approximately 6% of your exam marks.

stable
Low
Stable6%

Displacement reactions and determining order of reactivity from experimental data.

Metals with water

  • Metals high in reactivity react with cold water; metals lower down only react with steam (if at all)
  • The general reaction with cold water is:

metal + water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen

  • The general reaction with steam is:

metal + steam → metal oxide + hydrogen

MetalBehaviour with water
PotassiumReacts violently with cold water; ignites the hydrogen with a lilac flame
SodiumReacts vigorously with cold water; melts to a silvery ball and fizzes
LithiumReacts steadily with cold water; floats, fizzes, dissolves
CalciumReacts fairly briskly with cold water; produces a cloudy white suspension of Ca(OH)2
MagnesiumReacts very slowly with cold water; reacts much faster with steam
ZincOnly reacts with steam, slowly
IronOnly reacts with steam, slowly
Copper, silver, goldNo visible reaction with water or steam
  • Calcium example:

Ca(s) + 2 H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)

Metals with dilute acids

  • A metal will react with a dilute acid only if it sits above hydrogen in the reactivity series
  • The general reaction is:

metal + acid → salt + hydrogen

  • The more reactive the metal, the more vigorously it reacts; the metals above sodium are too dangerous to react with acid in a school lab
  • The salt formed depends on the acid (chloride from HCl, sulfate from H2SO4, nitrate from HNO3)
MetalReaction with dilute HClReaction with dilute H2SO4
MagnesiumMg + 2 HCl → MgCl2 + H2Mg + H2SO4 → MgSO4 + H2
ZincZn + 2 HCl → ZnCl2 + H2Zn + H2SO4 → ZnSO4 + H2
IronFe + 2 HCl → FeCl2 + H2Fe + H2SO4 → FeSO4 + H2
CopperNo reaction (Cu is below H)No reaction

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Metal Displacement Reactions