Metals (C9)
IGCSE Chemistry Study Guide: Metals Overview This guide summarizes core concepts of metals, covering chemical properties, reactivity, extraction methods, and uses. Mastery requires understanding periodic trends and redox principles. Syllabus Coverage: Core/Extended - Review specific section requirements for detailed study. 1. Properties and Structure Physical Properties (Core) Appearance: Typically solid at room temperature (exceptions: Mercury). Often shiny/lustrous. State: Solid, malleable, ductile (can be hammered into sheets and drawn into wires). Conductivity: Highly conductive of heat and electricity due to delocalized electrons in metallic bonding. Density: Generally high density compared to non-metals. Chemical Properties (Core/Extended) Formation: Metals tend to lose electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, forming positive ions (cations). Reaction: $\text{Metal} \rightarrow \text{Metal}^+ + e^-$ Reactivity Series: Metals are arranged in the reactivity series based on their ease of oxidation potential. Higher up means higher reactivity. 2. Reactivity and Reactions Reactions with Oxygen and Water (Core) With Oxygen: Metals react vigorously forming metal oxides ($\text{M} + \text{O}2 \rightarrow \text{M}{\text{x}}\text{O}_{\text{y}}$). Reactivity determines oxide strength. With Water: Highly reactive metals (Sodium, Potassium) react violently with water, producing a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Example: $\text{2Na}(\text{s}) + \text{2H}_2\text{O}(\text{g}) \rightarrow \text{2NaOH}(\text{aq}) + \text{H}_2(\text{g})$ Reactions in Acid Solutions (Core) Reactive metals displace hydrogen from dilute acids, producing salt and hydrogen gas. General equation: $\text{Metal} + 2\text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{MetalCl}_2 + \text{H}_2$ Caution: Metals less reactive than hydrogen (e.g., Gold) do not react with dilute acids. Displacement Reactions and the Reactivity Series (Extended) A more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal from its salt solution. Example: $\text{Zn}(\text{s}) + \text{CuSO}_4(\text{aq}) \rightarrow \text{ZnSO}_4(\text{aq}) + \text{Cu}(\text{s})$ The reactivity series acts as a predictor for potential displacement reactions. 3. Extraction of Metals (Extended) A. Reduction Methods Extraction generally requires converting metal compounds into pure element form. This involves a redox reaction. The ore must be reduced of oxygen. ...