Reaction of metals with water:
Metals form respective metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas when react with water.
Metal + Water ⇨ Metal hydroxide + Hydrogen
Most of the metals do not react with water. However, alkali metals react vigorously with water.
Reaction of sodium metal with water: Sodium metal forms sodium hydroxide and liberates hydrogen gas along with lot of heat when reacts with water.
Na + H2O ⇨NaOH + H2
Reaction of potassium metal with water: Potassium metal forms potassium hydroxide and liberates hydrogen gas along with lot of heat when reacts with water.
K + H2O ⇨ KOH + H2
Reaction of calcium metal with water: Calcium forms calcium hydroxide along with hydrogen gas and heat when reacts with water.
Ca + 2H2O ⇨Ca(OH)2 + H2
Reaction of magnesium metal with water: Magnesium metal reacts with water slowly and forms magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
Mg + 2H2O ⇨Mg(OH)2 + H2
When steam is passed over magnesium metal, magnesium oxide and hydrogen gas are formed.
Mg + H2O ⇨MgO + H2
Reaction of aluminium metal with water: Reaction of aluminium metal with cold water is too slow to come into notice. But when steam is passed over aluminium metal; aluminium oxide and hydrogen gas are produced.
2Al + 3H2O ⇨ Al2O3 + 2H2
Reaction of zinc metal with water: Zinc metal produces zinc oxide and hydrogen gas when steam is passed over it. Zinc does not react with cold water.
Zn + H2O ⇨ZnO + H2
Reaction of Iron with water: Reaction of iron with cold water is very slow and come into notice after a long time. Iron forms rust (iron oxide) when reacts with moisture present in atmosphere.
Iron oxide and hydrogen gas are formed by passing of steam over iron metal.
3Fe + 4H2O ⇨ Fe3O4 + 4H2
Other metals usually do not react with water or react very slowly.
