Starter quiz
- The order of metals on the basis of how reactive they are, is called the ______ of metals. Carbon and hydrogen are often included as reference points.
- 'reactivity series' ✓
- Not all metals react with an acid. For those that do, what would you observe?
- corrosion takes place ✓
- effervescence is observed ✓
- it all becomes water
- the reaction is exothermic ✓
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- Which of these statements about the metal elements above carbon in the reactivity series are correct?
- they all need to be extracted by electrolysis ✓
- they all react readily with acids ✓
- they all react readily with oxygen ✓
- they all react readily with cold water
- they are all very unreactive
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- Which of these statements about the metal elements above hydrogen in the reactivity series are correct?
- they all react readily with acids ✓
- they all react readily with oxygen ✓
- they all react readily with water
- they are all very unreactive
- they can all be extracted by displacement with carbon
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- Starting with the least reactive, put these metals in order of reactivity.
- 1⇔gold
- 2⇔copper
- 3⇔lead
- 4⇔zinc
- 5⇔aluminium
- 6⇔calcium
- 7⇔potassium
- Graphite (a specific form of carbon) is a non-metal. Why is it unique?
- it is a good thermal and electrical conductor ✓
- it is found on the left side of the periodic table
- it is shiny and ductile
- it is sonorous
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Exit quiz
- Which of the following statements are correct representations of displacement reactions?
- aluminium + tin chloride → aluminium chloride + tin ✓
- lead + sodium chloride → no reaction
- magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen
- metal A + salt of metal B → metal B + salt of metal A ✓
- metal + acid → metal salt + hydrogen
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- What might you observe if a displacement reaction is taking place?
- a change in temperature ✓
- colour changes to the solid metal ✓
- colour changes to the solution ✓
- effervescence (fizzing) ✓
- nothing left at the end
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- Consider the thermite reaction: aluminium + iron oxide → iron + aluminium oxide. What makes this reaction different from displacement reactions performed to confirm the reactivity series in a lab?
- aluminium is not a metal, and iron oxide is not a salt
- it does not show that aluminium is more reactive than iron
- it is not done in aqueous solution but as solids ✓
- it is not exothermic
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- Why is carbon included in the reactivity series of metals?
- as a reference point for extracting metals from their ores ✓
- as a reference point for metals which react with acid
- as a reference point for metals which react with oxygen
- as a reference point for metals which react with water
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- Why is hydrogen included in the reactivity series of metals?
- as a reference point for extraction with carbon or electrolysis
- as a reference point for metals found in their native states
- as a reference point for metals which react with acid ✓
- as a reference point for metals which react with oxygen
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- Match each term to the correct definition.
- aqueous solution (aq)⇔formed when a substance is dissolved in water ✓
- displacement reaction⇔a more reactive element replaces a less reactive element in a compound ✓
- metal salt⇔a compound comprising of a metal and a non-metal ✓
- ore⇔a rock that contains metals or metal compounds which can be extracted ✓
- reactivity series⇔metals placed in order of reactivity; most reactive metal at the top ✓
Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- A more reactive metal will displace another that is less reactive from its salt, in solution.
- In a displacement reaction magnesium displaces copper from copper sulfate(aq) to form magnesium sulfate (aq) and copper.
- Displacement reactions can be used to confirm the position of a metal in the reactivity series for metals.
- A metal ore is typically rock that contains a metal in a form that can be extracted.
- Carbon can be used to extract some metals from their ores when carbon is more reactive.
Common misconception
Understanding displacement reactions can be challenging as many pupils think the product has moved from somewhere else rather than being produced during the chemical reaction.
Focus on explaining the macroscopic observations in a displacement reaction in terms of chemical change. Then move on to apply the ideas to the reactivity of the metal.
Keywords
Displacement reaction - A displacement reaction occurs when a more reactive element takes the place of a less reactive element in a compound.
Metal salt - A compound comprising of a metal and a non-metal.
Aqueous solution (aq) - Formed when a substance is dissolved in water.
Reactivity series - Shows metals placed in order of reactivity with the most reactive metal at the top.
Ore - A rock that contains metals or metal compounds. Metal can be extracted from its ore.
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