Reactivity Series & Corrosion of Metals (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Combined Science: Chemistry): Flashcards
Exam code: 0653
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What is the reactivity series?
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What is the reactivity series?
The reactivity series is a list of metals (and some non-metals) arranged in order of reactivity, from most reactive to least reactive, based on their reactions with water and acids.
List the reactivity series in order from most reactive to least reactive. {align=center}
Potassium
Sodium
Calcium
Magnesium
Aluminium
Carbon
Zinc
Iron
Hydrogen
Copper
Silver
Gold
Potassium, sodium and calcium all react with cold water to form a metal .......... and .......... gas.
Potassium, sodium and calcium all react with cold water to form a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
True or False?
Magnesium reacts vigorously with cold water.
False.
Magnesium does not react significantly with cold water. It reacts with steam to form magnesium oxide and hydrogen gas.
Which metals in the reactivity series do NOT react with dilute hydrochloric acid?
Metals below hydrogen in the reactivity series do not react with dilute hydrochloric acid. These include copper, silver and gold.
When a metal reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid, the products are a .......... and .......... gas. Only metals .......... hydrogen in the reactivity series react this way.
When a metal reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid, the products are a salt and hydrogen gas. Only metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series react this way.
How can you deduce the order of reactivity of metals from experimental results?
The more vigorous the reaction with water or dilute acid, the more reactive the metal. A greater temperature change can also indicate a more reactive metal — but only when comparing metals in the same type of reaction (e.g. displacement reactions with the same acid or salt solution).
True or False?
Carbon and hydrogen are included in the reactivity series.
True.
Carbon and hydrogen are non-metals included in the reactivity series. Carbon sits between aluminium and zinc; hydrogen sits between iron and copper. They are included because they are used to extract metals from their oxides.
Why is potassium not used to react with dilute hydrochloric acid in the laboratory?
Potassium is so reactive that it reacts explosively with acids. This makes the reaction extremely dangerous and unsuitable for laboratory use.
What is rust?
Rust is a reddish-brown compound called hydrated iron(III) oxide. It forms when iron reacts with both water and oxygen.
What two substances must be present for iron to rust?
Both water and oxygen must be present for iron to rust. If either is absent, rusting does not occur.
True or False?
An iron nail kept in dry air will rust.
False.
Rusting requires both water and oxygen. In dry air there is no water, so rusting cannot occur — even though oxygen is present.
During rusting, iron is .......... to form .........., which is also called hydrated iron(III) oxide.
During rusting, iron is oxidised to form rust, which is also called hydrated iron(III) oxide.
How do barrier methods prevent rusting? (Extended Tier Only)
Barrier methods work by excluding oxygen or water (or both) from reaching the iron surface. If either substance cannot contact the iron, the rusting reaction cannot take place.
Give three examples of barrier methods used to prevent rusting.
Painting the surface
Greasing or oiling the surface
Plastic coating the surface
True or False?
The term "rusting" can be used for any metal that corrodes.
False.
Rusting is specific to iron and metals containing iron, such as steel. For other metals, the correct term is corrosion.
In a rusting experiment, a nail in boiled water covered with an .......... layer does not rust because the oil keeps out .......... and boiling removes dissolved .......... from the water. (Extended Tier Only)
In a rusting experiment, a nail in boiled water covered with an oil layer does not rust because the oil keeps out air and boiling removes dissolved oxygen from the water.
Why does painting an iron gate prevent rusting, and what happens if the paint is scratched? (Extended Tier Only)
Paint acts as a barrier that keeps oxygen and water away from the iron. If the paint is scratched, iron is exposed to both substances and rusting begins at the damaged area.
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