4.1 Reactivity of metals

Question 1

Reactions with water

Answer 1

When a metal reacts with water, hydrogen is produced.
For example, sodium + water -> sodium hydroxide + hydrogen

Question 2

Reactions with acids

Answer 2

Hydrogen is also produced if a metal reacts with a dilute acid.
Metal + acid -> salt + hydrogen

Question 3

Reactivity series

Answer 3

Potassium = reacts quickly with cold water and reacts violently with acid
Sodium = “”
Calcium = “”
Magnesium = reacts very slowly with water and reacts quite vigorously with acid
Aluminium = no reaction with water and reacts quite vigorously with acid
Zinc, iron = reacts with steam and reacts quite vigorously with acid
Copper, silver, gold = no reaction with water or steam as well as no reaction with dilute acids