Developing a reactivity series for metals
I can compare the reactions of different metals with water and dilute acids in order to work out the reactivity series for metals.
- Year 11
- OCR
Developing a reactivity series for metals
I can compare the reactions of different metals with water and dilute acids in order to work out the reactivity series for metals.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A more reactive element will replace a less reactive element in a compound (displacement).
- The more easily a metal atom forms a positive ion, the more reactive it is.
- Some metals react with acid to produce a metal salt and hydrogen gas.
- Some metals react with water to produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
- Carbon is a non-metal element often included in the reactivity series between aluminium and zinc.
Keywords
Ion - An ion is an atom or group of atoms with a positive or negative charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.
Salt - A salt is an ionic compound formed from positive and negative ions electrostatically attracted to each other.
Reactivity series - The reactivity series shows metals placed in order of reactivity with the most reactive metal at the top.
Displacement - Displacement is where a more reactive element takes the place of a less reactive element in a compound.
Common misconception
Thinking that a metal and acid react together to produce salt and water.
Use symbol equations to show how hydrogen is produced, rather than water, due to the absence of oxygen atoms.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why is the metal gold used to make jewellery?
Q2.Metals lose electrons to form ions.
Q3.When a metal reacts with an acid, one of the products is a salt. What is the other product?
Q4.When magnesium reacts with nitric acid what is the name of the salt produced?
Q5.Potassium, sodium and lithium are highly reactive metals. Which of the following statements about these metals are correct?
Q6.Match the following keywords to the correct definition.
