How do metal atoms form positive ions when they react?
They lose electrons.
AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) — Chemistry — Higher · 5.4.1.2
Revise AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) — Chemistry — Higher specification point 5.4.1.2, The reactivity series, with free active-recall flashcards. Flip through the set or review every question and answer below.
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How do metal atoms form positive ions when they react?
They lose electrons.
How does the ease of positive ion formation relate to a metal’s reactivity?
A more reactive metal forms positive ions more easily.
How does the ease of electron loss relate to a metal’s position in the reactivity series?
The easier it is for its atoms to lose electrons, the higher the metal is in the series.
What does the ease of positive ion formation help explain about metals’ reactions with water or dilute acids?
Why some metals react readily, while others react slowly or not at all.
If metal A displaces metal B from a compound, what does this indicate about their relative reactivity?
Metal A is more reactive than metal B.
If metal A does not displace metal B from a compound, what does this indicate about their relative reactivity?
Metal A is less reactive than metal B.
Why can a more reactive metal displace a less reactive metal from its compound?
The more reactive metal forms positive ions more readily, so it takes the less reactive metal’s place.
What are the products when a reactive metal reacts with a dilute acid at room temperature?
A salt and hydrogen gas.
What happens to the metal atoms when a reactive metal reacts with a dilute acid?
They form positive ions.
What visible sign usually shows that hydrogen gas is released when a metal reacts with a dilute acid?
Bubbles form.
What determines which salt forms when a metal reacts with a dilute acid?
The metal and the acid.
How do calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron compare in their reaction rates with dilute acids?
Calcium and magnesium react readily; zinc reacts less rapidly, and iron more slowly.
How does copper react with dilute hydrochloric or sulfuric acid?
It does not react with either acid.
Why are reactions of potassium, sodium and lithium with dilute acids not normally performed as routine tests?
They react violently with dilute acids.
What is the order of potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper from most to least reactive?
Potassium → sodium → lithium → calcium → magnesium → zinc → iron → copper.
What comparisons help establish the order of the most reactive metals?
Comparisons of their reactions with water.
What products form when potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium or magnesium reacts with water?
The corresponding metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
How does potassium behave when it reacts with water at room temperature?
It reacts most vigorously of potassium, sodium and lithium, and may ignite with a lilac flame.
How does sodium behave when it reacts with water at room temperature?
It reacts rapidly and typically melts into a moving ball.
How does lithium behave when it reacts with water at room temperature?
It fizzes steadily.
How does the vigour of calcium’s reaction with cold water compare with lithium’s?
Calcium reacts less vigorously than lithium.
How quickly does magnesium react with cold water?
Very slowly.
Which three metals show no significant reaction with water at room temperature?
Zinc, iron and copper.
What evidence from reactions with water can be used to compare metal reactivity?
Differences in the rate and vigour of the reactions.