Reactions of acids with metals

In a nutshell

Reacting a metal with an acid forms a salt and hydrogen. Certain metals react more violently with acids than others.

Equations

Reactants		Products
$acid\ +\ metal$	$\rightarrow$	$salt\ +\ hydrogen$

Reacting metals with acids

The general formula for reacting metals with acids is:

$acid\ + metal\ \rightarrow salt\ + hydrogen$

Science; Acids and alkalis; KS3 Year 7; Reactions of acids with metals

1.	Hydrogen bubbles
2.	Potassium (very reactive)
3.	Magnesium (moderate reactivity)
4.	Tin (low reactivity)
5.	Gold (unreactive)

Example

$calcium\ +\ sulfuric\ acid\ \rightarrow\ calcium\ sulfate\ +\ hydrogen\\\>\\Ca\ +\ H_{2}SO_{4}\ \rightarrow\ CaSO_{4}\ +\ H_{2}$

A metal, calcium, reacts with an acid, sulfuric acid, to produce calcium sulfate salt and hydrogen gas.

Squeaky pop test

The squeaky pop test can be used to identify if hydrogen is produced in a reaction. A lit splint placed above a test tube and if a squeaky pop is made that confirms the formation of hydrogen.

Science; Acids and alkalis; KS3 Year 7; Reactions of acids with metals

Reactivity series

The more reactive the metal is the more violent the reaction.

Science; Acids and alkalis; KS3 Year 7; Reactions of acids with metals