
Once we have an ionic equation, we can take it one step further and look at half equations. These are of no interest in the reaction, so we can ignore them and write out our ionic equation: We can identify the ions that don't change, these are called the spectator ions. Then we can write out all the ions involved:Ĭu²⁺(aq) + SO 4²⁻(aq) + Mg(s) → Cu(s) + Mg²⁺(aq) + SO 4²⁻(aq) This is useful as it shows what is oxidised and reduced. We can start by writing a balanced symbol equation for a reaction: Ionic equations only show us the ions that change in a chemical reaction. This is very costly, in terms of both money and energy. Metals more reactive than carbon have to be extracted using electrolysis. As the carbon is more reactive, it will displace the metal in its ore - reducing the metal. Metals less reactive than carbon can be extracted by heating the metal with carbon. Metals less reactive than hydrogen are generally found in their elemental form in the Earth's crust ( native state).
Reactivity series chemistry gcse series#
The non-metals hydrogen and carbon are often included in the reactivity series to give an indication about how the metals can be extracted. The metals potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper can be put in order of their reactivity from their reactions with water and dilute acids. Metals can be arranged in order of their reactivity in a reactivity series. The reactivity of a metal is related to its tendency (how likely it is) to form positive ions. If the non-metal substance is already bonded to the most reactive of the two metals, there is no reaction.When metals react with other substances the metal atoms form positive ions.

What a displacement reaction is and why one may occur.Ī displacement reaction is when a more reactive meta metal replaces a less reactive metal in a compound. This is why it’s safe to have copper water pipes! Metals that are lower down on the reactivity series, such as zinc, iron, lead and copper won’t react with water. Some very reactive metals, such as calcium and potassium can react with water to form a metal hydroxide and hydrogen. How metals react with water and the equations to represent these.

The metal will tell you the first half of the name, and the acid will tell you the last half! The salt is very easy to name, if you have the name of the reactants.
Reactivity series chemistry gcse how to#
How to name salts that are produced when acids and metals react. The more hydrogen there is, the louder the pop sound! Salts Formed You should hear a loud squeaky pop sound if hydrogen is present! You then need to catch the gas being released in another test tube, for a minute or so. You will see that the two start to react. You can test for hydrogen gas using the squeaky pop test! To do the squeaky pop test, first you need to put acid with the metal into a test tube. Potassium, sodium, lithium and calcium react so vigorously with acid that there is an explosion! The less reactive metals (such as magnesium and aluminium) will just produce a lot of hydrogen gas. Therefore the more reactive the metal, the more bubbles being produced! The more reactive the metal, the more hydrogen gas is produced per second. When a metal reacts with acid, it produces a salt and hydrogen gas. Put these in order from most reactive to least reactive, and you have the reactivity series! Reactivity of Metals with Acids When you put each of the metals with either acid or water, you can easily see which ones have reacted most vigorously. The order of the reactivity series can be worked out experimentally. For example, carbon is more reactive than zinc but less reactive than aluminium.

Combined Science: Rate of Chemical Change.Combined Science: Atmospheric Chemistry.
