Metals & Their Reactions
Year 8 🌿 Materials & Environment Describe reactions of metals with water, acids and oxygen.
🔩 Metals + Oxygen
Most metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides. More reactive metals react more vigorously.
General Equation
$$\text{metal} + \text{oxygen} \rightarrow \text{metal oxide}$$
$$2\text{Mg}(s) + \text{O}_2(g) \rightarrow 2\text{MgO}(s)$$💧 Metals + Water
The most reactive metals react with cold water to produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
| Metal | Reaction | Products |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium (K) | Very vigorous, burns | KOH + H₂ |
| Sodium (Na) | Vigorous | NaOH + H₂ |
| Calcium (Ca) | Steady fizzing | Ca(OH)₂ + H₂ |
| Iron (Fe) | Steam only (slowly) | Fe₃O₄ + H₂ |
| Copper (Cu) | No reaction | — |
⚗️ Metals + Acids
Metals above hydrogen react with dilute acids to produce a salt and hydrogen gas.
General Equation
$$\text{metal} + \text{acid} \rightarrow \text{salt} + \text{H}_2$$
$$\text{Zn} + 2\text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{ZnCl}_2 + \text{H}_2$$ Test for H₂: burning splint at mouth of test tube → squeaky pop.
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Interactive Demonstration — Metals & Their Reactions
Predict whether each reaction will occur based on reactivity.
🔩 Metal Reactions Predictor
Calculate H₂ produced when metal reacts with acid.