Summary of Reactions of Metals

Yoz,

Here's a summary I've gotten from Encarta.

Q1. In class, we have agreed that Hydrogen is placed above Cu since Cu is unable to displace it from the water, steam or acid. However, the observation reported by Encarta is different (see Pb). Why?

Q2. If Hydrogen were less reactive than Fe, why is it able to reduce Fe2O3? What conditions are required for the reduction to take place? What does this tells us about reactivity of Hydrogen? Would we then be able to use carbon to extract reactive metals from their ores?

Please give your comments.


Picture taken from:
http://encarta.msn.com/media_461542064/Reactivity_Series.html

How Batteries work?

Yoz everyone,

So, we have all learnt how to create a battery using a fruit.

Now, Energizer actually has quite an interesting website on the working of Alkaline battery. http://www.energizer.com/learning/howbatterieswork.asp

Please visit the website and discuss in the 'comments' section:
1. What is the cathode of the battery.
2. What is the anode of the battery.
3. What electrolyte is used in the battery.
4. What reactions takes place at each electrode? Give the half equations.
5. How does electrons flow?

In addition, quite a number of you asked how a rechargeable battery works. The same website has a short description of it. You might want to read it too.


The human electrolyte? Do you think we can act as electrolytes?
Picture taken from http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/hand_battery.html

Reactivity Series

Yoz, everybody,

Let's recap what we have learnt this week:

1. The reactivity series ranks the reactivity of various metals [More reactive at the top]. (Remember to come up with your own acronym)

2. The more reactive metals are able to DISPLACE the less reactive ones from their oxides or their salt solutions.

To help you visualise what happens at the atomic level during displacement of metals from the salt solution, go to the following website:
http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/redox/home.html

For additional notes, you could go to this website:
http://www.wpbschoolhouse.btinternet.co.uk/page03/Reactivity.htm

Lastly, remember to plan your experiment (i.e. SPA) before coming for lab next lesson. You would only have 10 mins to complete the experimentation.

Enjoy!


The Promethean Flame (aka Thermit Reaction)
[Thanks to Jon Chiam]