GCSE SCIENCE CHEMISTRY HIGH SCHOOL - The Reactivity of Oxygen with Metals

Reaction with Air (Oxygen).

Potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium and magnesium
react with oxygen and burn in air.
See the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.

Metals in the reactivity series from aluminium to copper
react with oxygen in the air to form the metal oxide.
Aluminium is the fastest and copper is the slowest of the six.

Aluminium reacts quickly to form a surface layer of aluminium oxide.
aluminium + oxygen aluminium oxide.
4Al_(s) + 3O_2(g) 2Al₂O₃_(s)

Zinc reacts fairly quickly to form zinc oxide.
zinc + oxygen zinc oxide.
2Zn_(s) + O₂_(g) 2ZnO_(s)

Iron reacts slowly at room temperature but quickly if it is heated.
iron + oxygen iron(III) oxide - see rusting.
4Fe_(s) + 3O_2(g) 2Fe₂O₃_(s)

Metals below iron react with oxygen when they are heated in air.

tin + oxygen tin(II) oxide.
2Sn_(s) + O_2(g) 2SnO_(s)

lead + oxygen lead(II) oxide.
2Pb_(s) + O_2(g) 2PbO_(s)

copper + oxygen copper(II) oxide.
2Cu_(s) + O_2(g) 2CuO_(s)

Silver, gold and platinum do not react with oxygen in the air.

Headings Reactivity Series Search Questions

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