Reactions of Acids
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Reactions of acids with metals
Only metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series react with dilute acids, and the more reactive the metal, the more vigorous the reaction. Potassium and sodium react dangerously fast, so they are never used in school glassware. In every such reaction the products are a salt and hydrogen gas, summarised as metal + acid giving salt + hydrogen.
What you know already
From Acids, Bases & Salt Preparations you know the solubility rules and the proton picture of acids and bases. This note catalogues the three great acid reaction families: with metals above hydrogen, with bases, and with metal carbonates. Each family has its own products, its own equations, and one unmistakable sign, the fizzing of carbonate reactions.
Key points of understanding
- A metal must sit above hydrogen in the series to react with dilute acids.
- The more reactive the metal, the more vigorous its reaction with acid.
- Potassium and sodium react with acids explosively.
- Acid-metal reactions always give a salt and hydrogen.
- Sulfuric acid makes sulfate salts and hydrochloric acid makes chloride salts.
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1.Reactions of acids with metals
Only metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series react with dilute acids, and the more reactive the metal, the more vigorous the reaction. Potassium and sodium react dangerously fast, so they are never used in school glassware. In every such reaction the products are a salt and hydrogen gas, summarised as metal + acid giving salt + hydrogen.
Key points
- A metal must sit above hydrogen in the series to react with dilute acids.
- The more reactive the metal, the more vigorous its reaction with acid.
- Potassium and sodium react with acids explosively.
- Acid-metal reactions always give a salt and hydrogen.
- Sulfuric acid makes sulfate salts and hydrochloric acid makes chloride salts.
Guided content from the SME authoring corpus — note rn_9WM8QhSxmYpGhjqd, pinned at 286b5ac81d43 · promoted SyllabAI/syllabai-resources e967e75f1339