Chapter 8,9

Metals

8-1
Group 1 & 2 metals, Aluminium
Group 1 metals (in the lab):
 They are very reactive, therefore they are kept under oil.
 They have very low density.

There are 4 important reactions for group 1 metals:

1. Group 1 metal + oxygen  metal oxide
4M (any member of group 1) + O2  2M2O
Ex: 4Li(s) + O2(g)  2Li2O(s)

2. Group 1 metal + water  metal hydroxide + hydrogen gas

2M(s) + 2H2O(l)  2MOH(aq) + H2(g)
Ex: 2Li + H2O  2LiOH + H2

3. Group 1 metal + acid  salt + hydrogen gas

Ex: 2Li(s) + 2HCl(aq)  2LiCl(aq) + H2(g)

4. Group 1 metal oxide + water  metal hydroxide

M2O(s) + H2O(l)  2MOH(aq)
Ex: Li2O(s) + H2O(l)  LiOH(aq)

⭐Group 1 metals are called Alkali metals, as they can form metal hydroxides.
⭐ Reactivity for group 1 metals increase as we go down the group, due to the ease
of losing electrons. As we go down the group the number of electron shells will
increase, so the outer shell electrons will be further apart from the nucleus,
therefore it can be removed more easily.
Activity) Proving the reactivity of group 1 metals
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  H2 gas is released

Evidence: lithium just has fizzing of H2. For sodium there is fizzing of H2 along
with sparks & for potassium there are flames along with sparks. This proves that
reactivity is increasing down the group.
Li+  red flame
Flame test for group 1 ions Na+  yellow flame
K+  lilac flame

Group 2 metals:
Their density increases down the group.
They are called Alkali earth metals; they can make hydroxides (have alkali
compounds) & can be found on earths crust.
 Chemical reactions for group 2:
1. Group 2 metal + oxygen  metal oxide
2M(s) (any member of group 2)+ O2(g)  2MO(s)
Ex: 2Mg + O2  2MgO

2. Group 2 metal + water  metal hydroxide + hydrogen gas

M(s) + 2H2O(l)  M(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)
Ex: Mg + H2O  Mg(OH)2 + H2

3. Group 2 metal + acid  salt + hydrogen gas

Ex: Mg+ 2HCl(aq)  MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)

⭐For 2 & 3, evidence of increased reactivity group down the group is that H2 gas
fizzes faster.
4. Group 2 metal oxide + water  metal hydroxide
MO(s) + H2O(l)  M(OH)2(aq)
Ex: CaO + H2O  Ca(OH)2
MgO + H2O  Mg(OH)2

⭐ Reactivity of group 1 & 2:

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Group 1 wants to lose just 1 electron however group 2 wants to lose 2 electrons.
Losing one electron is easier than losing 2 electrons therefore reactivity of group 1
is more than group 2.

Transition elements:
General properties:
1. They are hard & have a high density compared to group 1 & 2 elements.
2. They are all grey except gold & copper.
3. Most of the transition elements have different valences, on the other side
group 1 & 2 elements have fixed valences.
4. Most of the transition elements have colorful compounds, on the other hand
group 1 & 2 elements have white compounds.
5. Some transition metals have magnetic properties however group 1 & 2 have
no magnetic properties.
6. Some transition elements can be used as catalysts but group 1 & 2 elements
are never catalysts.
For questions related to the differences between group 1,2 and transition metals,
we must focus on properties 3 to 6.
Table 8.4) Color of transition metals:

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Copper II (Cu2+)  blue
Iron II (Fe2+)  green
Iron III (Fe3+)  red-brown
Chromate VI (CrO4-)  yellow
Chromium III (Cr3+)  green
Cobalt II (CO2+)  pink
Manganate VII (MnO4-) purple
Dichromate VI (Cr2O72-)  orange

Aluminium - General properties:

It’s a light, strong metal that’s why it can be used as the body of aircraft.
Aluminium will make a protective layer on itself by oxidation of the very
first layer, this layer is very sticky and it doesn’t let the oxygen react further.
Based on physical properties (such as boiling/melting point, density, malleability,
hardness, …):
Based on chemical properties:
Extraction of Al  by electrolysis
Cathode: Al3+ + 3e  Al
Anode: 2O2-  O2 + 4e
C(s) + O2(g)  CO2(g)

 Melting point of Al2O3 is more than 2000°C that’s why we need to add
NaAlF4 (cryolite) to lower the melting point to less than 1000°C (around
900°C).
 There is an unwanted reaction on the surface of anode that burns away the
electrodes (carbon electrodes),, that’s why we must replace the anode over
time.
Questions ~ chapter 8 notes:
8.1) Alkali metals are very soft & have a low density.
8.2) Potassium flame test  lilac Sodium flame test  yellow

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8.3) Hydrogen gas is given off when alkali metals react with water.
8.4) 2K + H2O  2KOH + H2 (other product: potassium hydroxide)
8.5) Sodium + water  sodium hydroxide + hydrogen gas
8.6) 2K + H2O  2KOH + H2
8.7) Lithium  it’s the least reactive in group 1, & doesn’t melt when placed on
the surface of water.
Topic 8.2 – Zinc
Zinc reacts with steam to form zinc oxide & hydrogen gas.
Zn(s) + H2O(g)  ZnO(s) + H2(g)
Group 2 metal  Ca + 2H2O  Ca (OH)2 + H2
All amphoters in O-level: metal oxide & metal hydroxide of aluminium & zinc
Al2O3, Al(OH)3, ZnO, Zn(OH)2

Topic 8.3 – Reactivity of metals

Sn  Tin Pb  Lead Pt  Platinum

There are 2 important applications of reactivity series:
1. Single displacement
2. Extraction of metals
Ex: MgO + Fe  no reaction
Ex: Na2O + 2K  K2O + 2Na
Ex: Fe2O3 + 2Al  Al2O3 + 2Fe Thermite reaction

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 Al
Extraction of metals Zn
Fe
Extraction of zinc:
1. ZnS + O2  ZnO + SO2
2. ZnO + C  Zn(g) + CO2

Reaction 1 is called ‘Roasting’ &

zinc blend coverts to zinc oxide.
Carbon is more reactive than zinc so it will replace zin in reaction 2.
The temperature inside of the furnace is slightly more than 1000°C so zinc
will turn to gas. By condensation of this gas pure zinc is extracted.
Ore: a piece of stone that contains a metal compound.

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Topic 8.4 – Metals and their ores
Metal Name of ore Compound present
Aluminium Bauxite Aluminium oxide, Al2O3
Copper Copper pyrites Copper iron sulfide,
CuFeS2
Iron Hematite Iron (III) oxide, Fe2O3
Sodium Rock salt Sodium chloride, NaCl
Tin Cassiterite Tin (IV) oxide, SnO2
Zinc Zinc-blende Zinc sulfide, ZnS
Lead Galena Lead (II) sulfide, PbS

Extraction of iron:
1. C + O2  CO2
2. CO2 + C  2CO
3. Fe2O3 +3 CO  2Fe +
3CO2
4. CaCO3  CaO + CO2
5. CaO(s) + SiO2(s) 
CaSiO3(s)
5’. P2O5 + CaO  Ca3(PO4)2(s)

1. Coke reacts with oxygen (hot air) to form carbon dioxide.

2. Excess coke inside acts as a reducing agent to convert CO2 into CO.
3. This is the main reaction of extraction of iron in which CO acts as a reducing
agent and Iron in a molten will be reduced.

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 4. Limestone decomposes to form lime (CaO- Calcium Oxide) which is a base.
This base is required to remove acidic impurities of iron ore.
5. Sand (SiO2) and other non-metal oxides like P2O5 are not metal acidic
impurities that are always mixed with iron ore. So, to get rid of these acidic
oxides we need lime. This is called neutralization.
Cast iron: the molten iron releasing from blast furnace is called cast iron & its
impure iron, it contains a high percentage of carbon dioxide.
Cast iron is fragile, not malleable like a very hard glass. Its not useful. By reducing
the percentage of carbon, steel will be formed.
Steel formation:

 By blowing oxygen inside

molten iron, carbon starts reacting with oxygen & converts to CO2 which is
then released as a gas from the furnace.
 Carbon is more reactive than iron, that’s why it reacts sooner with oxygen, so
iron remains unreacted.

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Percentage of carbon should be reduced but not removed completely. There are
different forms of steel with different compositions of carbon & other metals. Just
properties and usages are important.

Steel Typical Properties Uses

composition
Stainless steel Iron, chromium, Tough, does not Cutlery, surgical
nickel corrode instruments,
kitchen sinks,
chemical plant
Tungsten steel Iron, tungsten Tough, hard even Edges of high-
at hard speed cutting tools
temperatures
Manganese steel Iron, manganese Tough, springy Drill bits, springs

Rusting of iron:
Methods of preventing rusting:
We must protect the surface of Fe, then O2 & H2O will not
be able to reach the surface, meaning rusting will not take
place.
1. Painting: it will cover the surface of iron, so oxygen & water can’t reach the
surface & rusting won’t take place.
2. Oiling/greasing: the same as method 1.
3. Plastic coating: the same as method 1 & 2.
4. Electroplating: we can cover the surface of iron by a less reactive metal,
using electroplating. Then this metal will act as a layer to protect iron from
H2O & O2.

5. Galvanizing: a more reactive metal & iron are both melted & mixed with
each other. Then as it cools down its called galvanizing iron. More reactive

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 metal which is zinc sacrifices itself and oxidizes sooner so iron is protected.

Note: Zinc oxide acts as a protective layer so further oxidation will not take
place.

6. Sacrificial metals: a piece of more reactive metal (such as zinc) is attached to

iron & then this more reactive metal sacrifices itself & oxidizes sooner so Fe
remains safe. (Usage: underwater iron)
7. Electrolytic protection: by attaching a negative pole of a source of electricity
to an iron object, the iron becomes cathode so just reduction takes place &
there is no chance for oxidation.

Topic 8.5 – Ammonia & fertilizers

~ NH3 is a fertilizer & provides nitrogen to the roots.

~ There are 3 important elements (N, P, K) for plants to grow however we aren’t
able to add these three elements directly, so we must provide their compounds such
as KCl (contains K) & ammonium sulfate [(NH4)3PO4] (contains N & P).
 Nitrogen is especially important for healthy leaves.
 Phosphorus is especially important for healthy roots.
 Potassium is important for the production of flowers & fruits.

Topic 8.6 – usage as an acid

Importance of sulfuric acid usage as a dehydrating agent
As an acid H2SO4 is used for tanning leather, making detergents, cleaning metals.

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As a dehydrating agent H2SO4 is used to remove the water (just concentrated
H2SO4 can be used as a dehydrating agent).

Topic 8.7 – Chlorine & Halogens

Formation of Cl2? By electrolysis of concentrated NaCl(aq).
To produce chlorine, we must do electrolysis on concentrated NaCl(aq) (brine).

Applications of chlorine: for purification of water (as a anti-bacterial), usage as a

bleaching agent.
Note: Applications of SO2 & Cl2 compared to each other: both are able to kill
bacteria and are used as bleaching agents however SO2 can also be used in the food
industry to kill bacteria.
~ Halogen uses:

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Topic 8.8 – Thermal decomposition of metal compounds

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Topic 8.8 – Electrical cell
It looks electrolysis but there are some differences.
Difference N.1: in the electrical cell (battery) a chemical reaction takes place to
form electricity. However, in electrolysis electricity is applied to form a chemical
reaction.
Difference N.2: cathode will have a positive charge in the electrical cell & anode
will be negative. However, in electrolysis cathode is negative but anode is positive.
Similarities: in both of them, reduction takes place at the cathode & oxidation takes
place at the anode.
Note: electrical cell is a part of electrolysis.
Which part? The battery

The more reactive metal will do oxidation & the less reactive metal will do
reduction. Oxidation means loss of electrons, since the more reactive metal loses
electrons faster, oxidation takes place at the more reactive metal.

Note: the greater the difference between the metals’ reactivity in an electrical cell,
the greater the voltage.

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