Metals and their Properties

Metals have distinctive properties such as: 1. Electrical Conductivity 2. Good Thermal Conductivity 3. Strength 4. Malleability.

Reaction of Metals
With Oxygen: All metals react with Oxygen. The more reactive the metal the quicker the reaction. In the Lab the Oxygen is produced by heating Potassium(v)Manganate. The Brighter the glow the more the reactive the metal. Less reactive metals produce a duller glow General Equation: Metal Oxide Metal + Oxygen

Metals + Oxygen (contd)

Potassium (v)Manganate acts as a source of Oxygen when Heated Mg metal is placed between two pieces of ceramic wool

The more active the metal the brighter the glow

Reactions of Metals
With Water: Only Metals above Hydrogen in the Activity Series react with water. In fact only the first three react with Cold water. The remaining metals above Hydrogen must be treated with Steam before a reaction will take place. General Equation: Metal + H2O Metal Hydroxide + H2

Reactions of Metals
With Acids: Only Metals above Hydrogen in the Activity Series react with Acids. General Equation: Metal + Acid Salt + Hydrogen

Metals and Acid(contd).

Pop

When a metal is reacted with an Acid it produces H2 gas which burns with a POP!

Alloys
An Alloy is a mixture of metals or metals and other elements. Alloys are made to change the properties of the metal e.g.to make them harder, more pleasing on the eye or to make them more resistant to Corrosion. Examples are: Brass(a mixture of Cu&Zn), Gold (Au&Cu.The greater the proportion of Cu the lower the no.of carats),Stainless Steel (Fe,Ni&Cr)

Metal Ores
Most metals are found combined to other elements such as, Oxygen and Sulphur in the earths crust.These are called Metal Ores. Only Gold, Silver and Platinum are found uncombined. As a result metals must be mined and then separated from their Ores by Metal Extraction

Extraction of Metals from their Ores

Metals low down in the Electrochemical Series form weak bonds with other elements. As a result Ores of these metals can broken up easily to obtain the metal. Ores of metals high up in the Electrochemical series contain stronger bonds and therefore require more sophisticated and expensive methods of Extraction

Electrochemical Series

Potassium Sodium Calcium Magnesium Aluminium Zinc Iron Nickel Tin Lead HYDROGEN Copper Mercury Stealing Gold Plates

Must be Electrolysed to release Metal from Ore

Separated from ore by Heating with CHARCOAL, thus releasing CARBON DIOXIDE.

Can be Broken by Heat alone