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Science at key stage 3    (Year 9)

Unit 9F: Patterns of reactivity
Section 2: How do metals react with water?

QCA

Objectives
Children should learn:
  • that some metals react with cold water to produce hydrogen
  • that some metals react more readily with water than others
  • about the hazards associated with some metals

Activities

Outcomes
Children:
  • Ask pupils whether metals react with water or not, giving their reasons. Invite them to explore the reaction of some familiar metals, eg iron, zinc, magnesium, copper. Ask pupils to predict whether the rapidly tarnishing metals seen in the previous activity would react with water. Demonstrate the reactions to test their predictions.
  • Use a safe method to show that hydrogen and an alkaline solution are produced, eg place a small piece of lithium in a beaker of water and collect the gas produced in a test tube. Ask pupils to identify similarities and differences in the reactions of potassium, sodium and lithium with water. Establish an order of reactivity of these metals and help pupils to write word equations. Extend by showing pupils a video clip of the reactions of rubidium and caesium with water. Compare the reactions of the alkali metals with those of the other metals used earlier and agree a tentative order of reactivity. Show pupils the hazard-warning labels on alkali metal containers and ask why they are kept under oil.
  • identify evidence for a chemical reaction, eg bubbles of gas, heat produced
  • describe some similarities in the reactions, eg hydrogen produced, pH shows alkali produced
  • describe differences between the reactions, eg flame produced with potassium but not with sodium or lithium
  • identify an order of reactivity of the metals
  • describe and explain some of the safety precautions to be taken when dealing with reactive metals

Points to note
  • Teachers may wish to extend this work to the reactions of some metals with steam, but it is not necessary to do so. Eye protection and safety screens should be used.
  • Extension: pupils could be asked to find out how fires involving metals are dealt with.
  • Extension: pupils could be asked to write the symbols and formulae for reactants and products, and from these form symbol equations.

    • Safety

    • potassium, sodium and lithium are corrosive and highly flammable. Small pieces the size of rice grains should be used. Eye protection and safety screens should be used

Sections in this unit

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This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.
1. Why do metals tarnish?
2. How do metals react with water?
3. Is the order of reactivity of metals with water the same as that with acids?
4. Can we make predictions about the reactions of metals with oxygen?
5. a. Can metals displace each other?
6. b. Can metals displace each other?
7. Checking progress
8. How does the activity series relate to uses and sources of metals?
9. How can we find out more about the reaction of metals with acids?
10. Reviewing work