15.1b The metal reactivity series

• Chem
• Secondary Education

Lesson 15.1 The metal reactivity series

Choose an emoji to tell us how you feel today.

😒🙁😐🙂😃

• I can describe the reactions, if any, of:(a) potassium, sodium and calcium with cold water; (b) magnesium with steam; (c) magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, silver and gold with dilute hydrochloric acid and explain these reactions in terms of the position of the metals in the reactivity series.

GOAL

Lesson 15.1 The metal reactivity series

Reaction with cold water

• more reactive metals (K, Na, Ca) = react with cold water

FOCUS: Reaction of Metals 

metal

metal hydroxide

water

hydrogen

+

+

What new aqueous substance is produced from the reaction of metal and cold water?

1. metal oxide
2. metal hydroxide
3. hydrogen
4. water vapour

Which of the following metals DOES NOT react with cold water?

1. gold
2. potassium
3. calcium
4. sodium

Which of the following gases is produced from the reaction of metals and cold water?

1. oxygen
2. nitrogen
3. helium
4. hydrogen

If calcium (s) reacts with cold water, what new aqueous substance is produced?

1. calcium oxide
2. calcium crystals
3. calcium hydroxide
4. calcium monoxide

Reaction with steam

• less reactive metals (below Ca in RS) = react with steam

FOCUS: Reaction of Metals 

metal

metal oxide (s)

steam

hydrogen

+

+

Which of the following metals reacts with steam easily?

1. calcium
2. magnesium
3. gold
4. copper

What new solid substance is produced from the reaction of metal and steam?

1. metal oxide
2. metal hydroxide
3. hydrogen
4. water vapour

Reaction with dilute acids

• metals above hydrogen in RS = react with dilute acids 

FOCUS: Reaction of Metals 

metal

salt (aq)

acid

hydrogen

+

+

(example: Mg, Zn, Iron + H2SO4 / HCl )

The following metals do react with dilute acids except _________.

1. gold
2. copper
3. potassium
4. silver

The more reactive the metal, the ________________ the reaction will be.

1. more vigorous
2. more rigorous
3. stronger
4. A and C

Which of the following metals is very dangerous and reacts explosively with acids?

1. potassium
2. gold
3. copper
4. magnesium

What new substance is produced from the reaction of metal and dilute acids?

1. metal oxide
2. metal hydroxide
3. salt solution
4. salt

Reaction with oxygen

• reactive metals (esp. alkali metals) = react easily with oxygen (also Ag, Cu, Fe but slowly)

FOCUS: Reaction of Metals 

metal

metal oxide (s)

oxygen

+

(Gold does not react with oxygen.)

What group of metals reacts quickly or easily in air (oxygen)?

1. alkaline earth metals
2. alkali metals
3. transition metals
4. lanthanides

Which of the following metals reacts more slowly with oxygen in air?

1. potassium
2. calcium
3. iron
4. sodium

The order of reactivity of metals can be deduced by _____________.

1. making experimental observations
2. making predictions
3. making conclusions
4. making a hypothesis

State the relationship of how vigorous the reaction is and the location in the reactivity series.

• Reaction of water (cold or steam)
• Reaction with dilute acids
• Reaction with oxygen in air
• Temperature change 

FOCUS: Experimental Observations 

Lesson 15.1 The metal reactivity series

14-09-2022

I THINK I NEED MORE PRACTICE ON:
1 - I can describe the reactions, if any, of:(a) potassium, sodium and calcium with cold water; (b) magnesium with steam; (c) magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, silver and gold with dilute hydrochloric acid and explain these reactions in terms of the position of the metals in the reactivity series.

1

I am now confident.

HOW WELL DID YOU PARTICIPATE TODAY?
1 - I need to participate more! ⚠️
2 - I have participated and I will do more next time! ☺️
3 - I did an excellent job today! 🏆

13