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Metals Reactivity Series

1. P, Q and R are metals. The oxides of P and Q can be reduced by red hot carbon
while the oxide of R has no reaction with carbon. Q can displace P from a nitrate
solution of P. The descending order of reactivity of these three metals is:
A. P, Q and R
B. Q, P and R
C. R, P and Q
D. R, Q and P ( )

2. Which of the reactions will NOT produce a metal?
A. heating zinc carbonate
B. heating copper (II) oxide in town gas (hydrogen)
C. electrolysis of molten sodium chloride
D. reducing iron (III) oxide with carbon ( )

3. Which of the following processes would NOT produce hydrogen gas?

A. adding calcium to water
B. passing steam over lead
C. adding iron to dilute hydrochloric acid
D. electrolysing aqueous copper (II) oxide ( )
4. Which of the following statements concerning aluminium is INCORRECT?
A. Aluminium is more corrosion resistant than iron
B. Aluminium has a higher density than water
C. Aluminium can be obtained by electrolysis of its molten compounds
D. Aluminium reacts readily with cold water ( )
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5. A metal W lies between magnesium and iron in the reactivity series. Which of the
following statements concerning W is correct?
A. When it is added to vinegar, hydrogen is evolved
B. It displaces magnesium from magnesium oxide on strong heating
C. It dissolves in water to give an alkaline solution
D. It is less corrosion resistant than iron ( )

6. (a) The table below shows some reactions of lead, three other metals (X, Y and Z)
and their oxides.
Reaction Lead X Y Z
Adding the metal
into lead (II) nitrate
solution

No
observable
change



A gas is
evolved
No
observable
change
Lead deposit
Heating oxide of the
metal



No
observable
change
No observable
change
Metal Y is
formed
No observable
change

(i) What is the gas evolved in the reaction of X with lead (II) nitrate solution?
Hydrogen gas produced from the side reaction between metal X and the water
content in aqueous lead (II) nitrate.
(ii) Name the type of reaction that occurs when the oxide of Y is heated.
Thermal decomposition
(iii) Arrange the four metals in descending order of reactivity. Briefly explain your
answer.
X>Z>Pb>Y
(b) Explain why copper (II) nitrate solution cannot be kept in an iron container.
There will be a displacement reaction between copper (II) nitrate solution and
the iron container. Iron will displace copper from its nitrate solution.

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7. The table below shows some reactions of five metals (P, Q, R, S and T) and their
compounds.
Metal Reaction
P P + Sulfate solution of Q Sulfate solution of P + Q
P + water No reaction

Q


Q + dilute acid Salt of Q + hydrogen
R


R + Sulfate solution of Q colourless gas
S


Oxide of S reddish brown solid
T


T No observable change

(a) Suggest what R might be? Explain briefly.
R could be any Group I metals or calcium. There was effervescence
produced (colourless gas) when metal R is placed inside solution Q.
(b) Suggest what S might be? Explain briefly.
S could be copper. It is reddish brown in colour and can be displaced by
hydrogen. Thus, when heated in H2, S is displaced from its oxide

(c) Arrange the five metals in descending order of reactivity.
R > P > Q > S > T

Heat in H2
Heat in O2