
Key Concepts
- Not all metals react with water.
- Metals that react with water produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas: metal + water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen gas
- The ease with which a metal reacts is known as its activity. ...
- In general, Group 1 (IA or alkali) metals and Group 2 (IIA or alkaline earth) metals are more active than transition metals.
What are the reactions of metals with water?
We can summarise the reaction of water with metals as follows:
- Reaction of water with sodium and potassium is highly exothermic, and reaction mixture catches fire.
- Reaction between water and calcium is exothermic, but reaction mixture does not catch fire.
- Magnesium does not react with cold water but reacts with hot water.
- Aluminium, iron and zinc do not react with cold or hot water but they react with steam.
What is the reaction between metal and water?
With the exception of beryllium (Be), the alkaline metal hydrides react with water to produce the metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The reaction of these metal hydrides can be described below: (8) M H 2 ( s) + 2 H 2 O ( l) M ( O H) 2 ( a q) + 2 H 2 ( g) Hard Water.
What are the effects of heavy metals in water?
Heavy metals in water are particularly dangerous for fish juveniles and may considerably reduce the size of fish populations or even cause extinction of entire fish population in polluted reservoirs. The data of many authors indicate that heavy metals reduce survival and growth of fish larvae.
What is the reaction between sodium metal and water?
Sodium metal reacts rapidly with water to form a colourless solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen gas (H2). The resulting solution is basic because of the dissolved hydroxide. During the reaction, the sodium metal may well become so hot that it catches fire and burns with a characteristic orange colour.

How do metals react with water explain with example?
When a metal reacts with water, a metal hydroxide and hydrogen are formed. For example: Sodium reacts vigorously with water. Calcium reacts readily with water.
Why do metals not react with water?
Copper and Gold do not react with water, because they lie below hydrogen in the reactivity series. As a result, they cannot replace hydrogen in a water molecule.
What happens to metal in water?
Metals react with water to form oxides or hydroxides and release Hydrogen gas.
How do you know if a metal reacts with water?
0:094:29Reactions Of Metals With Water | Reactions | Chemistry | FuseSchoolYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNotice how the metal floats on the surface. And fizzes quite gently until it disappears from sight.MoreNotice how the metal floats on the surface. And fizzes quite gently until it disappears from sight.
What metals dont react with water?
Gold and silver are two metals which, since gold and silver are the least reactive, do not react at all with water. They are therefore used in ornaments and in coin preparation, etc.
Why do metals react with water but not steam?
Because some metals react with water of high temperature. And steam is the form of water which is at a high temperature...
Why do some metals only react with steam but not water?
Because, reactions have to do with energy. Steam contains more energy than regular water as thermal energy had to be added to regular water to allow it to become steam.
Why non metals do not react with water and acid?
Non-metals do not generally react with acids because when a substance, reacts with acids it provides electrons to the H+ ions produced by the acids. Non-metals are acceptors of electrons and hence, they cannot donate electrons.
What happens when sodium metal reacts with water?
Reaction of sodium metal with water: Sodium metal forms sodium hydroxide and liberates hydrogen gas along with lot of heat when it reacts with water.
Why do alkali metals react with water?
This is because enough heat is given off during the exothermic reaction to ignite the H2 (g).
What elements react with water to create basic solutions?
Oxides of Group 1 elements also react with water to create basic solutions. Alkali metals react with oxygen to form monoxides, peroxides, or superoxides. These species react with water in different ways:
What are the characteristics of alkali metals?
A common characteristic of most Alkali metals is their ability to displace H2 (g) from water. This is represented by their large, negative electrode potentials.
Why are group 1 elements called alkali metals?
Group 1 elements are called alkali metals because of their ability to displace H2 (g) from water and create a basic solution.
How does iron react with water?
Reaction of Iron with water: Reaction of iron with cold water is very slow and come into notice after a long time. Iron forms rust (iron oxide) when reacts with moisture present in atmosphere.
What happens when a metal is sufficiently reactive?
If the metal is sufficiently reactive, it will react with the oxygen in air to form an oxide.
ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: Experiment: The reaction of metals and water
Materials: calcium, magnesium, zinc, lead, iron, copper, beaker, test tubes, filter funnel, water, splint, burner, universal indicator
About the Author: garikaib
He holds an Honours in Accountancy degree from the University of Zimbabwe. He is passionate about technology and its practical application in today's world.
What happens when a metal reacts with water?
When a metal react with water,then a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas is formed. The intensity of reaction of a metal with water depends on its chemical reactivity. Some metals react vigorously even with cold water,some react with hot water,some metals react with steam whereas some metals do not react even with steam.
Which metal is less reactive?
1)Sodium is a very reactive metal,therefore sodium metal react violently even with cold water. 2)Magnesium is less reactive metal so it react slowly with cold water,it reacts rapidly only with hot boiling water. 3)The metals like zinc,iron are less reactive which react slowly even with steam.
What metals are unreactive?
4)The metals like copper,silver and gold are so un reactive that they react with water or even steam. If Sodium metal is kept exposed to air,it will react with the various component of air and get spoiled. To prevent its reaction with the moisture and other gases of air,sodium metal is always stored under kerosene.
Why is sodium metal stored under kerosene?
To prevent its reaction with the moisture and other gases of air ,sodium metal is always stored under kerosene.
What is the reaction between metals and water?
Metals that react with water produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas: metal + water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen gas. The ease with which a metal reacts is known as its activity. A more active metal will react more readily with water than a less active metal.
What happens when rubidium is put in water?
Example 1. Question: A small piece of clean rubidium is placed in a beaker of water at room temperature. Immediately, the rubidium starts spinning around in the water releasing bubbles of gas. Within a short time, an apparent flame is visible and an audible pop is heard.
What is a sample of a silvery unknown metal?
Example 2. Question: A sample of a silvery unknown metal is thought to be either magnesium or silver. When a clean piece of the sample is placed in water there is no apparent reaction. When a clean piece of the sample is placed near hot steam, a white substance starts to appear on the surface of the sample.
Is platinum an active metal?
Silver, gold and platinum are not active metals. They are known as noble metals 1 (or as inactive metals).
Is magnesium a metal?
Response: Magnesium is a more active metal than copper. Magnesuim would react with the water in the pipes to produce magnesium hydroxide which would produce "hard water" (soap won't lather properly in hard water), causing the magnesium pipe to disintegrate over time.
Why do alkali metals react with water?
This is because enough heat is given off during the exothermic reaction to ignite the H2 (g).
What metals react with cold water?
Highly reactive metals like sodium and potassium react with cold or luke warm water.
What elements react with water to create basic solutions?
Oxides of Group 1 elements also react with water to create basic solutions. Alkali metals react with oxygen to form monoxides, peroxides, or superoxides. These species react with water in different ways:
What are the characteristics of alkali metals?
A common characteristic of most Alkali metals is their ability to displace H2 (g) from water. This is represented by their large, negative electrode potentials.
Why are group 1 elements called alkali metals?
Group 1 elements are called alkali metals because of their ability to displace H2 (g) from water and create a basic solution.
Which metal is the most reactive with oxygen in water?
All alkali metals violently form oxides in water and many other metals will oxidize given enough time or heat, however some are more likely to oxidize than others depending mainly on their electronegativity, francium being the most reactive with oxygen in water for having the lowest electronegativity, platinum being relatively stable in water.
What happens when Na reacts with H2O?
When Na reacts with H2O, it forms NaOH and H2 gas is liberated. H2 gas being flammable ignites and forms a flame and a small explosion is also encountered, depending on the size of sodium metal.
