Chemical Properties of Metals
Reaction with oxygen:
Most of the metals form respective metal oxides when react with oxygen.
Metal + Oxygen ⇨ Metal oxide
Examples:
Reaction of potassium with oxygen: Potassium metal forms potassium oxide when reacts with oxygen.
4K + O2 ⇨ 2K2O
Reaction of sodium with oxygen: Sodium metal forms sodium oxide when reacts with oxygen.
4Na + O2 ⇨ 2Na2O
Lithium, potassium, sodium, etc. are known as alkali metals. Alkali metals react vigorously with oxygen.
Reaction of magnesium metal with oxygen:Magnesium metal gives magnesium oxide when reacts with oxygen. Magnesium burnt with dazzling light in air and produces lot of heat.
2Mg + O2 ⇨ 2MgO
Reaction of aluminium metal with oxygen: Aliminium metal does not react with oxygen at room temperature but it gives aluminium oxide when burnt in air.
4Al + 3O2 ⇨ 2Al2O3
Reaction of zinc metal with oxygen: Zinc does not react with oxygen at room temperature. But it gives zinc oxide when heated strongly in air.
2Zn + O2 ⇨ 2ZnO
Reaction of Iron metal with oxygen: Iron does not react with oxygen at room temperature. But when iron is heated strongly in air, it gives iron oxide.
3Fe + 2O2 ⇨ Fe3O4
Iron fillings give sparkle in flame when burnt.
Reaction of copper metal with oxygen: Copper does not react with oxygen at room temperature but when burnt in air, it gives copper oxide.
2Cu + O2 ⇨ 2CuO
