10. Metals

• Place in order of reactivity: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, (hydrogen) and copper, by reference to the reactions, if any, of the metals with:

–– water or steam

–– dilute hydrochloric acid and the reduction of their oxides with carbon

• Deduce an order of reactivity from a given set of experimental results

• Describe the reactivity series as related to the tendency of a metal to form its positive ion, illustrated by its reaction, if any, with:

–– the aqueous ions

–– the oxides of the other listed metals

• Describe and explain the action of heat on the hydroxides, carbonates and nitrates of the listed metals

• Account for the apparent unreactivity of aluminium in terms of the oxide layer which

adheres to the metal

• Describe the ease in obtaining metals from their ores by relating the elements to the reactivity series

• Describe and state the essential reactions in the extraction of iron from hematite

• Describe the conversion of iron into steel using basic oxides and oxygen

• Know that aluminium is extracted from the ore bauxite by electrolysis

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of recycling metals, limited to iron/steel and

aluminium

• Describe in outline, the extraction of zinc from zinc blende

• Describe in outline, the extraction of aluminium from bauxite including the role of cryolite and the reactions at the electrodes

• Name the uses of aluminium:

–– in the manufacture of aircraft because of its strength and low density

–– in food containers because of its resistance to corrosion

• Name the uses of copper related to its properties (electrical wiring and in cooking utensils)

• Name the uses of mild steel (car bodies and machinery) and stainless steel (chemical plant

and cutlery)

• Explain the uses of zinc for galvanising and for making brass

• Describe the idea of changing the properties of iron by the controlled use of additives to

form steel alloys