METALS AND THEIR

REACTIVITY
Reactions of metals
This can be determined by the speed of reaction with
common chemical reagents such as water, oxygen and dilute
acids.
Reaction with water
Metal Reaction
K, Na, Ca React with
cold water
to form
hydroxide
ions and
release
hydrogen
gas
Mg Reacts with
hot water to
form
hydroxide
ions and
release
Reaction with oxygen
Metal Reaction
K, Na, Ca Burn
rapidly to
form oxides
or
peroxides
Mg, Al, Zn, Burn
Fe readily if
powdered
or as fine
fibres to
form oxides
Sn, Pb, Cu, Become
Hg coated with
Reaction with dilute acids
Metal Reaction
K, Na Effervesce
very rapidly
producing
hydrogen
gas, which
may ignite
Ca, Mg Bubble
rapidly
releasing
hydrogen
Al, Zn, Fe, Bubble
Sn, Pb moderately
to very
FIRST IONISATION ENERGY
Ionisation Energy is
A measure of the energy needed to remove an electron from
the electrostatic attractive force of a positively charged
nucleus.

The ionisation energy of an atom or ion is defined as the

amount of energy required to remove the most loosely bound
electron from the atom or ion in the gaseous state.

The first ionisation energy is the energy needed to remove

completely the first electron from an atom in the gaseous
state.
 If the value for 1st ionisation energy is very low, the metal will
gain this energy easily and quickly from its surroundings. It
will readily enter the reaction and the reaction will proceed
vigorously.

The ACTIVITY SERIES of the Metals is

determined by 1st IONISATION ENERGY.
Trends
The first ionisation energy INCREASES across a period as
electron shells go near empty to full.

The ionisation energy DECREASES down a group as the outer

shells become further removed from the positive nucleus.
HALF-EQUATIONS
Oxidation Reduction
 Zinc + Hydrochloric Acid Hydrogen (gas) + Zinc chloride

Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) H2(g) + ZnCl2(aq)

The equation showing individual ion species

Zn + 2H+ + 2Cl- H2 + Zn2+ +2Cl-

(Chloride ions are spectator ions because they stay the same
on both sides)
 Zn + 2H+ H2 + Zn2+

Zinc atom becomes a zinc ion and

2 hydrogen ions become a covalent hydrogen molecule.

 Zn Zn2+ + 2e-

2H+ + 2e- H2

These equations are known as your half-equations.

REDOX REACTIONS
Oxidation Reduction
OIL: Oxidation Is Loss
Usually metals will lose electrons

Zn + Zn2+ + 2e-

Zinc loses electrons

RIG: Reduction Is Gain
Usually non-metals will gain electrons

2H+ + 2e- H2

Hydrogen ions are gaining electrons.