Key Reactions quiz
Key reactions flashcards1:20 understand how to use electrical conductivity and the acid-base character of oxides to classify elements as metals or non-metals
Metals
- conduct electricity
- have oxides which are basic, reacting with acids to give a salt and water
Non – Metals
- do not conduct electricity (except for graphite)
- have oxides which are acidic or neutral
1:25 write word equations and balanced chemical equations (including state symbols): for reactions studied in this specification and for unfamiliar reactions where suitable information is provided
Example:
Sodium (Na) reacts with water (H2O) to produce a solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen gas (H2).
Word equation:
sodium + water –> sodium hydroxide + hydrogen
Writing the chemical equation
A chemical equation represents what happens in terms of atoms in a chemical reaction.
Step 1: To write a chemical equation we need to know the chemical formulae of the substances.
Na + H2O –> NaOH + H2
Step 2: The next step is to balance the equation: write a large number before each compound so the number of atoms of each element on the left hand side (reactants) matches the number on the right (products). This large number is the amount of each compound or element.
During this balancing stage the actual formulas for each compound must not be changed. Only the number of each compound changes.
2Na + 2H2O –> 2NaOH + H2
If asked for an equation, the chemical equation must be given.
State symbols are used to show what physical state the reactants and products are in.
| State symbols | Physical state |
|---|---|
| (s) | Solid |
| (l) | Liquid |
| (g) | Gas |
| (aq) | Aqueous solution (dissolved in water) |
Example:
A solid piece of sodium (Na) reacts with water (H2O) to produce a solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen gas (H2).
2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) –> 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)
Balancing equations – Tyler de Witt videos
This excellent Tyler de Witt video is an introduction to balancing equations:
And here’s another of the lovely Tyler’s videos with some practice questions and answers on equation balancing:
1:38a understand how to use the charges of these ions in ionic formulae: metals in Groups 1, 2 and 3, non-metals in Groups 5, 6 and 7, Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, hydrogen (H⁺), hydroxide (OH⁻), ammonium (NH₄⁺), carbonate (CO₃²⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), sulfate (SO₄²⁻)
When given this information of the following ions, it is possible to work out the formulae of ionic compounds which include these ions.
| Name of Ion | Formula | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Sulfate | SO42- | -2 |
| Carbonate | CO32- | -2 |
| Nitrate | NO3- | -1 |
| Hydroxide | OH- | -1 |
| Ammonium | NH4+ | +1 |
| Silver ion | Ag+ | +1 |
| Zinc ion | Zn2+ | +2 |
| Hydrogen ion | H+ | +1 |
| Copper (II) ion | Cu2+ | +2 |
| Iron (II) ion | Fe2+ | +2 |
| Iron (III) ion | Fe3+ | +3 |
| Lead (II) ion | Pb2+ | +2 |
Ion charges on the periodic table
1:39 write formulae for compounds formed between the ions listed in 1:38
Writing the electron configuration of an atom allows you to work out the electron configuration of the ion and therefore the charge on the ion.
Examples:
Atom = Mg
Electron configuration = 2,8,2
remove the two electrons from the outer shell to achieve the same electron configuration as the nearest noble gas, Neon (Ne 2,8)
Ion = Mg2+
[2,8]2+
Atom = O
Electron configuration = 2,6
add two electrons to the outer shell to achieve the same electron configuration as the nearest noble gas, Neon (Ne 2,8)
Ion = O2- [2,8]2-
Writing formulae with polyatomic ions – Tyler de Witt video
This video shows how to work out the formula of a compound which contains polyatomic ions:
2:11 describe the combustion of elements in oxygen, including magnesium, hydrogen and sulfur
Magnesium reacts with oxygen producing a bright white flame leaving behind a white ash of magnesium oxide.
magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide
2Mg (s) + O₂ (g) → 2MgO
MgO is a base, which can react with an acid to give a salt and water.
Hydrogen reacts with oxygen in an explosive reaction. This is the basis of the ‘squeak pop’ test for hydrogen in test tube. With larger quantities of hydrogen this explosion can be dangerous.
hydrogen + oxygen → water
2H₂ (g) + O₂ (g) → 2H₂O (l)
Sulfur reacts with oxygen producing a blue flame.
sulfur + oxygen → sulfur dioxide
S (s) + O₂ (g) → SO₂ (g)
When sulfur dioxide (SO₂) dissolves in water it forms an acidic solution of sulfurous acid:
SO₂ (g) + H₂O (l) → H₂SO₃ (aq)
Reactions with oxygen – video
Underneath are sodium, magnesium, iron, carbon, phosphorus, Sulphur burning in oxygen
Reactions with oxygen – video
This video shows the reaction with oxygen of various elements:
2:12 describe the formation of carbon dioxide from the thermal decomposition of metal carbonates, including copper(II) carbonate
thermal decomposition is the process of breaking down by heating.
On heating metal carbonates thermal decompose into metal oxides and carbon dioxide.
Observation: green powder (CuCO3) changes to a black powder (CuO)
2:28a describe the use of litmus to distinguish between acidic and alkaline solutions
| Indicator | Colour in acidic solution | Colour in alkaline solution |
|---|---|---|
| Litmus | Red | Blue |
2:28 describe the use of litmus, phenolphthalein and methyl orange to distinguish between acidic and alkaline solutions
Indicators are substances which change colour in response to a change in pH (acid or alkali).
| Indicator | Colour in acidic solution | Colour in alkaline solution |
|---|---|---|
| Litmus | Red | Blue |
| Methyl orange | Red | Yellow |
| Phenolphthalein | Colourless | Pink |
Methyl orange is orange in a neutral solution
2:29 understand how to use the pH scale, from 0–14, can be used to classify solutions as strongly acidic (0–3), weakly acidic (4–6), neutral (7), weakly alkaline (8–10) and strongly alkaline (11–14)
The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, and tells you how acidic or how alkaline a solution is.
| strongly acidic | weakly acidic | neutral | weakly alkaline | strongly alkaline | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pH | 0-3 | 4-6 | 7 | 8-10 | 11-14 |
2:30 describe the use of Universal Indicator to measure the approximate pH value of an aqueous solution
An indicator is a substance that has more than one colour form depending on the pH.
Universal indicator is a mixture of different dyes which change colour in a gradual way over a range of pH.
2:31 know that acids in aqueous solution are a source of hydrogen ions and alkalis in a aqueous solution are a source of hydroxide ions
An acid is source of hydrogen ions (H+).
An alkali is source of hydroxide ions (OH–).
2:32 know that bases can neutralise acids
Metal oxides, metal hydroxides and ammonia (NH₃) are called bases.
Bases neutralise acids by combining with the hydrogen ions in them.
The key reaction is:
acid + base → salt + water
An example of this is:
sulfuric acid + copper oxide → copper sulfate + water
H₂SO₄ + CuO → CuSO₄ + H₂O
2:37 describe the reactions of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid with metals, bases and metal carbonates (excluding the reactions between nitric acid and metals) to form salts
Acid reactions summary
alkali + acid → water + salt
base + acid → water + salt
carbonate + acid → water + salt + carbon dioxide
metal + acid → salt + hydrogen
To assist remembering this list, many pupils find it useful to remember this horrid looking but very effective mnemonic:
AAWS
BAWS
CAWS CoD
MASH
Acids are a source of hydrogen ions (H⁺) when in solution. When the hydrogen in an acid is replaced by a metal, the compound is called a salt. The name of the salt depends on the acid used. For example if sulfuric acid is used then a sulfate salt will be formed.
| Parent acid | Formula | Salt | Formula ion |
|---|---|---|---|
| sulfuric acid | H2SO4 | sulfate | SO42- |
| hydrochloric acid | HCl | chloride | Cl- |
| nitric acid | HNO3 | nitrate | NO3- |
Acid + Alkali and Acid + Base
A base is a substance that can neutralise an acid, forming a salt and water only.
Alkalis are soluble bases. When they react with acids, a salt and water is formed. The salt formed is often as a colourless solution. Alkalis are a source of hydroxide ions (OH⁻) when in solution.
alkali + acid → water + salt
base + acid → water + salt
Examples of acid + alkali reactions:
- sodium hydroxide + hydrochloric acid → sodium chloride + water
- NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) → NaCl (aq) + H₂O (l)
- potassium hydroxide + sulfuric acid → potassium sulfate + water
- 2KOH (aq) + H₂SO₄ (aq) → K₂SO₄ (aq) + 2H₂O (l)
Example of an acid + base reaction:
CuO (s) + H₂SO₄ (aq) → CuSO₄ (aq) + H₂O (l)
Acid + Carbonate
carbonate + acid → water + salt + carbon dioxide
A carbonate is a compound made up of metal ions and carbonate ions. Examples of metal carbonates are sodium carbonate, copper carbonate and magnesium carbonate.
When carbonates react with acids, bubbling is observed which is the carbon dioxide being produced. If the acid is in excess the carbonate will disappear.
Examples of acid + carbonate reactions:
- calcium carbonate + hydrochloric acid → calcium chloride + water + carbon dioxide
- CaCO₃ (s) + 2HCl (aq) → CaCl₂ (aq) + H₂O (l) + CO₂ (g)
- potassium carbonate + hydrochloric acid → potassium chloride + water + carbon dioxide
- K₂CO₃ (aq) + 2HCl (aq) → 2KCl (aq) + H₂O (l) + CO₂ (g)
Acid + Metal
metal + acid → salt + hydrogen
Metals will react with an acid if the metal is above hydrogen in the reactivity series.
When metals react with acids, bubbling is observed which is the hydrogen being produced. If the acid is in excess the metal will disappear.
Examples of acid + metal reactions:
- magnesium + sulfuric acid → magnesium sulfate + hydrogen
- Mg (s) + H₂SO₄ (aq) → MgSO₄ (aq) + H₂ (g)
- aluminium + hydrochloric acid → aluminium chloride + hydrogen
- 2Al (s) + 6HCl (aq) → 2AlCl₃ (aq) + 3H₂ (g)
- copper + hydrochloric acid → no reaction (since copper is below hydrogen in the reactivity series)
3 reactions of acid – video
Underneath are 3 acid reactions :
alkali + acid → water + salt
base + acid → water + salt
carbonate + acid → water + salt + carbon dioxide
2:38 know that metal oxides, metal hydroxides and ammonia can act as bases, and that alkalis are bases that are soluble in water
A base is a substance that neutralises an acid by combining with the hydrogen ions in them to produce water.
A base usually means a metal oxide, a metal hydroxide or ammonia.
Alkalis are bases which are soluble in water.
Some metal oxides are soluble in water and react with it to form solutions of metal hydroxides. For example:
Na₂O (s) + H₂O (l) → 2NaOH (aq)
Apart from this and other group 1 oxides (such as potassium oxide) most other metal oxides are not soluble in water.
One exception is calcium oxide which does dissolve slightly in water to form calcium hydroxide (known as limewater):
CaO (s) + H₂O (l) → Ca(OH)₂ (aq)
Ammonia is another base. Ammonia reacts with water to form ammonium ions and hydroxide ions:
NH₃ (aq) + H₂O (l) ⇋ NH₄⁺ (aq) + OH⁻ (aq)
All the solutions produced here contain hydroxide ions (OH⁻) so they are all alkalis.
2:44a describe tests for these gases: hydrogen, carbon dioxide
Test for hydrogen gas (H2)
- Test: use a lit splint
- Result: burns with a squeaky pop
Test for carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Test: bubble through limewater
- Result: limewater turns cloudy