Action of metals with water (O-level chemistry)
Action of metals with water
Most metals react with water to produce hydrogen and the hydroxide of the metal
The table below show action of water with metals
| Metal | Reaction with H2O | Order of reactivity |
| K | Burns giving off white fumes and form a lilac flame it produced a cracking sound 2K(s) + 2H2O(l) → H2(g) + 2KOH (aq) | K (1) |
| Na | – Reacts with water, floats, does not burn in one place – it gives off white fumes and hissing sound 2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) → H2(g) + 2NaOH (aq) | Na (2) |
| Ca | Sinks in water, gives off hydrogen bubbles, generating heat and turning the water milky Ca(s) + 2H2O → H2(g) + Ca(OH)2 | Ca (3) |
| Mg | Reacts very slowly with cold water. Mg(s) + H2O(l) → Mg(OH)2(aq) Heated magnesium catches fire in steam and burns brightly. Forming white powder. Mg(s) + H2O(g) → MgO(s) + H2(g) | Mg (4) |
Aluminum, zinc, lead, and copper do not react with water.
Aluminium and zinc do not react with water because their surface is protected with oxide layer.
Zinc reacts with steam to form an oxide
Zn(s) + H2O(g) → MgO(s) + H2(g)
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