Metals and Non-Metals & the Reactivity Series

Question 1

Describe the properties of metals. Are metal oxides acidic or basic? (6)

Answer 1

They are electrical conductors because their delocalised electrons carry electrical charge through the metal.
They are good conductors of thermal energy because their delocalised electrons transfer energy.
They have high melting points and boiling points, because the metallic bonding in the giant structure of a metal is very strong - large amounts of energy are needed to overcome the metallic bonds in melting and boiling.
They are malleable, which means they can be bent and shaped easily. In pure metals, the atoms are arranged in neat layers, and when a force is applied to the metal (eg by being hit with a hammer), the layers of metal atoms can slide over each other, giving the metal a new shape.

Basic

Question 2

Describe the properties of non-metals. Are non-metal oxides acidic or basic? (6)

Answer 2

Dull
Low melting points
Poor conductors of electricity
Poor conductors of heat
Low density
Brittle

Acidic

Question 3

List the Reactivity Series (and include carbon and hydrogen, although not metals they are important when talking about extraction.) (14)

Answer 3

Potassium
Sodium
Lithium
Calcuim
Magnesium
Aluminium
Carbon
Zinc
Iron
Hydrogen
Copper
Silver
Gold
Platinum

Question 4

Define an ore and give three examples. (5)

Answer 4

Ores are naturally occurring rocks that contain metals or metal compounds in sufficient amounts to make it worthwhile extracting them.
E.g. Magnetite, Hametite, Bauxite.

Question 5

How are metals are extracted from their ores using different methods depending on their place on the reactivity series? (3)

Answer 5

For Potassium to Aluminium, Electrolysis is used.
For Zinc to Copper (Excluding Hydrogen) Heating with Carbon is used.
For Silver to Platinum, various chemical reactions are used.

Question 6

What is thermal decomposition? (1)

Answer 6

Thermal decomposition is a chemical reaction that happens when a compound breaks down when heated.

Question 7

What are the tests for Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen? (6)

Answer 7

Oxygen supports combustion. If oxygen is present in a test tube, a glowing splint relights when it is held inside.

Hydrogen ignites in air. If hydrogen is present in a test tube, a lighted splint held near its mouth ignites with a squeaky pop.

Carbon dioxide reacts with calcium hydroxide solution to produce a white precipitate of calcium carbonate. Limewater is a solution of calcium hydroxide. If carbon dioxide is bubbled through limewater, the limewater turns milky or cloudy white.

Question 8

What are displacement reactions and how do you write out the relevant word equations? (4)

Answer 8

Displacement reactions involve a metal and the compound of a different metal. A more reactive metal will displace or push out a less reactive metal from its compound in a displacement reaction. The less reactive metal is left uncombined after the reaction. It is no longer chemically bonded to any other elements. It is now a pure element.

For example, Magnesium is more reactive than copper. When a piece of magnesium is dipped into blue copper sulfate solution, a displacement reaction occurs.

The magnesium displaces the copper, and the products are copper and a solution of magnesium sulfate.

This is the word equation:

magnesium + copper sulfate → copper + magnesium sulfate