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Topic 7: Metals and Reactivity Series
A) Physical properties of metals:

1- Solid at room temperature and strong(hard) , not broken easily except group 1 and
mercury (liquid)
2- Silvery grey color except: gold(yellow) and copper(reddish brown)
3- Sonorous (make a ringing sound when struck)
4- Shiny when polished
5- Good conductor of heat and electricity due to the free moving electrons that carry
charge
6- High melting point and boiling point due to the strong attraction between metal
positive ions and free mobile electrons metallic bond except alkali metals
7- High density as ions are packed closely together in a giant lattice except alkali metals

i 8- Malleable and ductile as when force is applied rows of metal cations (ions) slide over
each other without breaking the structure
site mais
biff

B) Chemical properties:
1- Lose electrons to form positive ions and from ionic compounds
2- They react with dilute acids to form Salts & hydrogen gas(bubbles) is given off
Mg + 2HCl MgCl2 + H2
3- React with oxygen to from basic oxides
2Mg + O2 2MgO
Iain in nature
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N.B: These properties are typical properties of metals, but not all metals share all of these
properties.

As sodium is soft, melts at 98oC and very reactive while gold is hard, melts at 1064 oC and
least reactive.

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Dr.Sarah Abdel Nasser
Q) How we know the reactivity of each metal?

Reactivity Series

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Q) What is meant by a reactive metal?

Means metal has strong drive to give up electrons and form ions forming compounds.

Reaction of metals with cold water, H2O(l) or steam H2O(g):

Metal Reaction with water Products

Potassium (most reactive) Very violent with cold KOH + H2
water H2O(l) and catch fire Soluble hydroxide (Grp 1)
Sodium Violent with cold water NaOH + H2
H2O(l) (soluble)
Calcium Less violent(readily) with Ca(OH)2 + H2
cold water H2O(l) (slightly soluble)
Magnesium - Very slow with cold water -Mg(OH)2 + H2
(insoluble)
-Vigorous with steam -MgO + H2
(hot water)
Zinc Quite slow with steam ZnO + H2

E
H2O(g) insoluble
Iron(III) Slow with steam H2O(g) Fe2O3 + H2
Lead No reaction -
Copper No reaction -

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Silver No reaction -
Gold No reaction -

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Dr.Sarah Abdel Nasser
 i
What about Aluminum? Aluminum powder is heated in steam producing Aluminium oxide
and hydrogen but reaction is relatively slow because of protective strong layer of Al 2O3

1- Reaction with water:

a) Metals that react with cold water H2O(l)
(K, Na, Ca, Mg)
Metal + H2O(l) metal hydroxide + hydrogen H
2Na(s) + H2O(l) 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)

b) Metals that react steam H2O(g)

(Mg, Zn, Fe)
Metal + H2O(g) metal oxide(insoluble) + hydrogen
Mg(s) + H2O(g) MgO(s) + H2(g)
(Silvery grey) (white ash)
Zn(s) + H2O(g) ZnO(s) + H2(g)

N.B: K, Na, Ca can react with steam H2O(g) but the reaction is too dangerous. Not to be
attempted.

2- Reaction with air: Metal + Oxygen metal oxide

Mg
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K,Na,Ca 4Na + O2

2Mg(s) + O2
2Na2O burn in air without heating

2MgO burn in air without heating

White flame/ white ash (MgO) É

Al seems to be unreactive as it has a protective layer of Al2O3

Zn to Cu 2Zn + O2 2ZnO burn in air with much more heating
metal glow and form oxide film
Ag to Pt No reaction

3- Reaction with dilute acid:

Metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series react with dilute acids and hydrogen
is produced. This is displacement reaction in which metal displaced the hydrogen of
an acid. Metal + Acid salt + Hydrogen
K,Na Na +2 HCl NaCl + H2 (too dangerous, lead to explosions)
Ca Ca + H2SO4 CaSO4 + H2
Mg Mg + HNO3 Mg(NO3)2 +H2
Zn, Fe,Pb Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
Pb reacts slowly and only if acid is concentrated

Cu to Pt No reaction (below hydrogen in reactivity series)

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Dr.Sarah Abdel Nasser
 Remember:

a- It is too dangerous to react potassium and sodium with steam or acids that could
cause explosions
b- Aluminum seems to be unreactive due to protective layer of Al2O3
c- Cu, Ag, Au do not react with water, steam and dilute acids

- Reactions of metals between water and acids is considered 1)displacement

reaction as hydrogen is driven out and the metal takes its place showing that metal
is more reactive than hydrogen also considered 2) redox reaction 3)Exothermic
reduction
-

Mg + 2HCl MgCl2 + H2

oxidation

Mg -- 2e Mg2+ (oxidation)
2H+ + 2e H2 (reduction)
-

Making hydrogen in Laboratory: (using displacement reaction)

Hydrogen is prepared in lab by reacting Zn or Mg (reactive metals) with dilute sulphuric or

hydrochloric acid to drive the hydrogen out (displace it). {All metals above hydrogen in
series can displace it from acids} except Na, K will lead to explosions with dilute acids.

Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)

-
-
-
&

Zinc + dilute Sulfuric acid zinc Sulphate + Hydrogen

Tap Delivery tube

funnel/separating
funnel
Gas
jar

Trough

Water

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Dr.Sarah Abdel Nasser
 4- Reduction of metal oxides with carbon: (competition with carbon)
- Carbon on heating will reduce the oxides of metals below it in
the reactivity series as (ZnO, Fe2O3)
- Oxides of metals above zinc in the reactivity series as (Al2O3,
MgO) cannot be reduced by carbon
Lead(II) oxide + carbon lead + carbon dioxide
2PbO(s) + C(s) 2Pb(s) + CO2(g)
( carbon act as reducing agent)

reduction

2Fe2O3 + 3C 4Fe + 3CO2

oxidation

5- Competition for oxygen:

(Reduction of metal oxides by more reactive metal act as reducing agent)
- A more reactive metal will reduce the oxide of less reactive metal. The reduction
always gives out heat (exothermic)
Iron + copper(II) oxide iron(II) oxide + copper
oxidation
Reducing
Fe(s) + CuO(s) FeO(s) + Cu(s)
agnet
reduction
Fe2O3 + 2Al 2Fe + Al2O3
More reactive

6- Displacement reactions:
(Competing to form ions in solutions)
- Any metal can displace another metal that is lower in the reactivity series from its
aqueous salt solution containing its ions.

- When a piece of zinc is placed in copper(II) sulfate blue solution, reddish brown
deposit of copper forms and the blue color of solution fades away.

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Dr.Sarah Abdel Nasser
 - This is also a redox reaction as zinc oxidized lost electrons while copper is reduced
gained its electrons.
Zinc(s) + copper sulfate zinc sulfate + copper(s)
Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
blue solution reddish brown
Ionic equation:
oxidation

Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

reduction

Equation
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Competing for oxygen
Fe(s) + CuO(s)
Competing to form ions in solution
FeO(s) + Cu(s) Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
Half equations :
Electron loss Fe – 2e Fe2+ Fe – 2e Fe2+
Electron gain Cu2+ + 2e Cu Cu2+ + 2e Cu
Reactive metals are good reducing agent
Ionic equation
(add half
equations and Fe + Cu2+ Fe2+ + Cu Fe + Cu2+ Fe2+ + Cu
cancel
electrons)

Finding the order for metals reactivity

(1) Carry out displacement (2) Connect 2 different (3) Add equal mass of metal
reactions with some aqueous metals ( X & Y)as electrodes x & y with an acid at same
salt solutions containing in simple cell temperature; the more
different metals reactive will produce same
volume of hydrogen but in
less time
Things to remember:

1- A metal cannot displace another above it in the reactivity series.

Cu(s) + FeSO4 (aq) → no reaction
2- Any displacement reaction is exothermic ( rise in temperature is observed)
3- The more reactive the metal the more it likes to form compounds by losing electrons
so only copper , gold , silver , mercury are found uncombined ( native ) in earth crust
while other metals are always found as compounds oxides , carbonates, sulphides
and chlorides.
4- The more reactive the metal the more stable its compounds. A stable compound is
difficult to break down and decompose and difficult to extract (only by electrolysis).

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Dr.Sarah Abdel Nasser
 Summary
K
Na React with cold water to
Electrolysis of give hydroxide + H2
Ca
molten ores React with
Mg
dilute acids
Al
to give salt +
Carbon React with steam
H2
Zn to give oxide + H2
Fe
Oxides Pb 1

are Hydrogen <

reduced Cu
by carbon Ag Found native in
Au nature
Pt

r
g Thermal decomposition (breaking down of a compound by the effect of
heat)metals sulphates , metal carbonates, hydroxide and nitrates.

Sulphate, carbonate, hydroxide Nitartes

Metal
K Don’t decompose on heating Metal nitrite + O2
Na KOH no Rn 2KNO3(s) 2KNO2(s) + O2(g)
Grp1 Na2CO3 no Rn 2NaNO3(s) 2NaNO2(s) + O2(g)
K2SO4 no Rn
Ca  Metal sulphate metal oxide + SO3  Metal nitrate metal
Mg CuSO4 CuO + SO3 oxide+ NO2+ O2
Al  Metal carbonate metal oxide
Zn +CO2 2Ca(NO3)2(s) 2CaO(s) +
Fe CaCO3 CaO + CO2 4NO2(g) + O2(g)
Pb (limestone) (lime/quick lime)
Cu  Metal hydroxide metal oxide + Nitrogen dioxide appears as brown
water gas
Mg(OH)2 MgO + H2O

1- Decompositions get easier down the series.

2- Less heat energy is required down the series.
3- All chloride salts are stable(Don’t decompose on heating) except ammonium
chloride.NH4Cl NH3 + HCl
4- All sodium and potassium compounds are stable except nitrates.

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Dr.Sarah Abdel Nasser
 Extraction of metals (mining ores)

Metals Method of extraction Examples to study

K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al (Above C) Electrolysis of their molten salt Aluminium from Al2O3 Bauxite
ore

Zn, Fe, Pb (Below C) reduction of metal oxide with Fe from Haematite Fe2O3
carbon in blast furnace Zn from zinc blende ZnS

Cu, Ag, Au, Pt (Below H) Found uncombined in native Copper(refined) purified by

electrolysis

Haematite, zinc blende and bauxite are considered metal ores.

Minerals found in earth crust from which metal is extracted.
 So as we go up reactivity series of metals method of extraction becomes more
expensive and powerful.
A -Extraction of metals by electrolysis → expensive (uses lots of electricity)

B- Extraction of metals from their oxides by reduction with carbon.

The idea is based on , ores of all other metals contain metals as compounds that
have to be reduced to produce metal .
Metal compound reduction with carbon → metal + carbon dioxide

-
Extraction of zinc
1- The ore is zinc blende (ZnS) is roasted (heated) in hot air to give zinc oxide

-
and Sulphur dioxide.
Zinc sulphide + oxygen (air) → zinc oxide + Sulphur dioxide
2 ZnS(s) + 3O2 (g) → 2 ZnO (s) + 2 SO2 (g)
2- The oxide is reduced with Carbon ( coke ) in blast furnace

②
Zinc oxide + carbon → zinc + carbon dioxide
2ZnO (s) + C (s) → 2Zn (s) + CO2 (g) or using Carbon monoxide
 Final mixture contains zinc and a slag of impurities, the zinc is separated by
fractional distillation ( boils at 907 oC)
Also can be obtained by electrolysis of molten zinc oxide/zinc sulfate solution
Uses of zinc:
1) Galvanizing : The metal zinc is used to coat steel objects to prevent them from
rusting as the zinc will corrode instead of steel ( sacrificial protection )/( electrolysis ).
2) Making brass : Brass alloy of copper (60%) and zinc (40%) and making batteries.

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Dr.Sarah Abdel Nasser
 A- Extraction of Iron from its ore Haematite Fe2O3
Iron is extracted from its ore by reduction
with carbon in blast furnace.
1- Iron ore ,coke (made from coal )and limestone
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are added to the top of the blast furnace, a blast ↑

Itftpredoxidation
of hot air causes the coke to burn which is
exothermic reaction (giving out heat keep the I-
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f

e
furnace hot ) .

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Carbon + oxygen → Carbon dioxide
C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g)
{ Carbon (coke) acts as a reducing agent and a
source of heat}
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2- The Carbon dioxide rising up in the furnace
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-

reacts with more coke to form Carbon monoxide -

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-

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which reduce the iron oxide to iron so Carbon &
w - -

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/ -
-

monoxide acts as a reducing agent - -

..
-
↑

Carbon dioxide + Carbon → Carbon monoxide

CO2 + C (s) → 2CO(g)

(This reaction is endothermic takes heat from furnace)

3- The Iron ore is reduced to Iron by Carbon monoxide to Carbon dioxide and iron
As Iron reaches the lower part of the furnace it melts and run to the bottom of the
furnace
Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) → 2 Fe(l) + 3CO2(g)
2Fe2O3(s) + 3C(s) → 4Fe(l) +3CO2(g)

4- The purpose of limestone is to remove the sandy impurities mainly silicon (IV) oxide
( SiO2)
a) Limestone is decomposed by heat of the furnace
Calcium Carbonate → calcium oxide (lime or quick lime) + Carbon dioxide
CaCO3 CaO (s) + CO2 (g) Thermal decomposition
b) The Basic oxide, CaO react with SiO2 ( acidic oxide ) to form a liquid slag which
run down to the bottom and floats on top of iron.
calcium oxide + silicon dioxide/ silica → calcium silicate ( slag )
basic oxide + acidic oxide → salt
CaO (s) + SiO2 (s) → CaSiO3 (s) ( Slag) Acid base reaction

The waste gases hot carbon dioxide and nitrogen come out from the top of furnace.

NB: Nitrogen is coming from the nitrogen of blast air entering furnace.

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Dr.Sarah Abdel Nasser