THE REACTIVITY SERIES OF METALS AND ITS APPLICATIONS

REACTIVITY OF METALS WITH OXYGEN

When a metal is heated in oxygen, a reaction occurs to produce metal oxide. The reaction between metal and oxygen is a redox reaction. Example : 2Mg (s) + O2 (g) 2MgO (s) Different metals combust in oxygen at different levels of vigour.

A metal is more reactive if it combust faster and brighter in oxygen. The dim embers produced when a metal combusts in oxygen shows that the metal is not reactive. By comparing the vigour of the reaction between metal and oxygen, a sequence of reactivity of metals can be constructed which call the reactivity series of metals.

Reactivity series of metals

K Na Ca Mg Al Zn Fe Sn Pb Cu Hg Ag Au

The reactivity with oxygen decreases

Sodium, Na metal is the most reactive while the aurum, Au metal is the least reactive.
Therefore, sodium, Na metal is located highest while aurum,Au is located lowest in the series.

Experiment :

To compare the reactivity of metals with oxygen

Results :
Type of metal
Magnesium

Observation
Combusts quickly with a bright white shiny flame. A white powder is formed
A bright flame spreads slowly. The powder produced is yellow when hot and white when it is cold Embers spread slowly. A reddish brown powder is formed Red hot and embers slowly. The powder produced is brown when hot and yellow when it is cold Embers burn at a very slow rate. A black powder is formed.

Vigour of the reaction

Most vigorous

Zinc

Very vigorous

Iron

Vigorous

Lead

Less vigorous

Copper

Least vigorous

Analysis :

Based on the observations, a sequence of the metals reactivity can be constructed that is :
Mg Zn Fe Pb Cu

Decreasing reactivity

The chemical equations of the reaction of the metals with oxygen are :

2Mg (s) + O2 (g) 2MgO (s) 2Zn (s) + O2 (g) 2ZnO (s) 4Fe (s) + O2 (g) 2Fe2O3 (s) 2Pb (s) + O2 (g) 2PbO (s) 2Cu (s) + O2 (g) 2CuO (s)

Discussion :

Function of O2 acts as the oxidising agent because the metal was oxidised to metal oxide with the presence of oxygen.
Function of glass wool to separate the metal powder from the solid potassium manganate (VII), KMnO4 because the mixture of the two substances will cause an explosion when heated.

Function of potassium manganate (VII) crystal are heated to supply oxygen gas.

Conclusion :

Different metals react with oxygen at different levels of vigour. The descending order of reactivity of metal with oxygen is magnesium, zinc, iron, lead, copper.
The hypothesis is accepted.

The location of carbon in the reactivity series of metals