Reactions of metals

Question 1

What is the reactivity series?

Answer 1

Metals that easily lose electrons are more reactive than metals that do not lose electrons as easily.
It is possible to place metals in order of their reactivity i.e in order of how easily they lose electrons.

Question 2

Can metals react with oxygen?

Answer 2

All metals react with oxygen to make a metal oxide.

Question 3

Can metals react with water?

Answer 3

Only the most reactive metals (magnesium and above in the electrochemical series) react with water producing a metal hydroxide solution (an alkali) and hydrogen. The speed of production of hydrogen gives a measure of the reactivity of the metal.

Question 4

Can metals react with acid?

Answer 4

Metals above hydrogen in the electrochemical series react with dilute acids to produce a salt and hydrogen. The speed of production of hydrogen gives a measure of the reactivity of the metal.

Question 5

Can metals react with salts?

Answer 5

Metal elements can also react with salt by displacing the metal ions from the solution.