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Reactions of Metals with Water and Acids

Chemical changes • Reactivity of metals

Key concepts

What you'll likely be quizzed about

  • Reactivity measures a metal’s tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions.
  • Metals higher in the reactivity series lose electrons readily, reacting with water or acids to generate hydrogen and a metal salt or hydroxide.
  • Dilute acids provide H+ ions that accept electrons from metals, producing hydrogen gas and a soluble metal salt.
  • Factors such as temperature, surface area, oxide layers, and acid concentration influence this process.
  • Highly reactive metals react with cold water, while less reactive metals need steam or dilute acid for reactions.
  • Some metals form protective oxide layers that inhibit their reaction with water and dilute acids.

Flashcards

Test your knowledge with interactive flashcards

Reason why copper does not react with dilute hydrochloric acid

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Copper lies below hydrogen in the reactivity series and cannot displace H+ from dilute non-oxidising acids.

Key notes

Important points to keep in mind

Metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series displace hydrogen from dilute acids producing H2.

Potassium, sodium, and lithium react violently with cold water; calcium reacts less violently.

Magnesium reacts slowly with cold water but readily with steam to yield MgO and H2.

Zinc and iron do not react with cold water but do react with dilute acids to form salts and hydrogen.

Copper shows negligible reaction with cold water or dilute acids; oxidising acids are needed for its dissolution.

Protective oxide layers reduce reaction rates or can halt reactions with water or acids altogether.

Higher temperature, greater surface area, and more concentrated acids elevate reaction rates.

Hydrogen presence is confirmed by a squeaky pop on ignition; effervescence indicates gas release.

Cold water reactions lead to hydroxide formation; acid reactions generate soluble salts.

Experimental safety requires small samples and diluted acids to minimize risks.

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