Here's a breakdown of the *physical and chemical properties of metals*

and the *reactivity series*:

### I. Physical Properties of Metals

1. *Luster (Shininess):* Most metals have a characteristic shiny surface
when freshly cut or polished.
2. *High Melting and Boiling Points:* Generally high (exceptions: Mercury
(Hg), Gallium (Ga), Cesium (Cs)).
3. *High Density:* Usually heavy for their size (exceptions: Alkali metals
like Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K)).
4. *Malleability:* Can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without
breaking.
5. *Ductility:* Can be drawn into thin wires.
6. *Good Conductors of Heat:* Transfer heat efficiently.
7. *Good Conductors of Electricity:* Allow electric current to flow easily
(due to delocalized electrons).
8. *Solid State (at Room Temp):* Except Mercury (Hg), which is liquid.
9. *Sonorous:* Produce a ringing sound when struck.
10. *Hardness:* Generally hard (exceptions: Alkali metals are soft, can be
cut with a knife).

### II. Chemical Properties of Metals

1. *Electron Donors (Form Cations):* Lose electrons to form positive ions
(e.g., Na → Na⁺ + e⁻).
2. *Reaction with Oxygen:* Form metal oxides (basic or amphoteric).
* 4Na + O₂ → 2Na₂O (Sodium Oxide - Basic)
* 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO (Magnesium Oxide - Basic)
* 4Al + 3O₂ → 2Al₂O₃ (Aluminium Oxide - Amphoteric)
* Note: Gold & Platinum don't react.
3. *Reaction with Water:*
* *Very Reactive (K, Na, Ca):* React violently with cold water,
displacing hydrogen gas and forming hydroxides.
2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂
* *Moderately Reactive (Mg, Al, Zn, Fe):* React with steam (hot water
vapor), forming oxides and hydrogen gas.
Mg + H₂O(g) → MgO + H₂ (or 3Fe + 4H₂O(g) → Fe₃O₄ + 4H₂)
* *Less Reactive (Pb, Cu, Ag, Au, Pt):* Do not react with water or
steam.
4. *Reaction with Dilute Acids:*
* *Reactive Metals (above H in series):* Displace hydrogen gas from
dilute acids (HCl, H₂SO₄).
 Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂; Mg + H₂SO₄ → MgSO₄ + H₂
* *Less Reactive Metals (below H in series):* Do not displace hydrogen
(e.g., Cu, Ag, Au, Pt).
5. *Reaction with Chlorine:* Form metal chlorides (ionic salts).
2Na + Cl₂ → 2NaCl; Mg + Cl₂ → MgCl₂; 2Al + 3Cl₂ → 2AlCl₃
6. *Displacement Reactions:* A more reactive metal displaces a less
reactive metal from its compound (solution or molten state).
Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu (Zinc displaces Copper)
Mg + 2AgNO₃ → Mg(NO₃)₂ + 2Ag (Magnesium displaces Silver)

### III. The Reactivity Series

This lists metals in order of decreasing chemical reactivity (ease of losing
electrons). The most reactive metal is at the top.

| Metal | Symbol | Key

Reactions |
Notes |
| :-------- | :----- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------
| :-------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Potassium | K | *Violently* with cold water, acids. Bursts into flame in
air. | *M*ost Reactive. Stored under oil. |
| Sodium | Na | *Violently* with cold water, acids. Burns brightly in
air. | Very Reactive. Stored under oil. |
| Calcium | Ca | *Less violently* with cold water, acids. Burns in
air. | Forms slaked lime with water. |
| Magnesium | Mg | Slowly with cold water, *vigorously* with
steam/dilute acids. Burns brightly. | Forms protective oxide
layer. |
| Aluminium | Al | *Slowly* with steam/dilute acids. Burns if
powdered. | Forms *very protective* oxide layer (anodizing).
*A*mphoteric oxide. |
| Zinc | Zn | *Slowly* with steam/dilute acids. Burns
brightly. | Forms protective oxide layer. Used for
galvanizing. |
| Iron | Fe | *Slowly* with steam/dilute acids. Rusts (corrodes) in
moist air. | Requires oxygen and water for
rusting. |
| Lead | Pb | *Very slowly* with dilute acids. Forms protective oxide
layer. | Oxide layer makes it appear unreactive.
|
| Hydrogen | H | Non-metal reference
point | *H*ydrogen is placed here as
metals above displace it from acids. |
| Copper | Cu | No reaction with water/steam. *Slowly* with strong
oxidizing acids (HNO₃). | Develops green patina (basic copper
carbonate). |
| Silver | Ag | No reaction with water/steam/dilute acids. Tarnishes
(Ag₂S) with sulfur. | |
| Gold | Au | *No reaction* with water, steam, air, or any single acid
(except aqua regia). | *L*east Reactive. Noble
metal. |
| Platinum | Pt | *Extremely unreactive.* Resists most
acids. | Noble metal.
Catalyst. |

*Common Mnemonic (UK):* *Please **Send **Charley's **Monkeys **And

**Zebras **In **Large **Cages **Securely **Guarded **Platinum (G*old)
(Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Aluminium, Zinc, Iron, Lead,
Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum)

### IV. Importance & Uses of the Reactivity Series

1. *Predicting Displacement Reactions:* Determines if a metal will
displace another from a solution or molten compound.
2. *Predicting Reaction with Water/Steam/Acid:* Tells us which metals will
react and how vigorously.
3. *Extraction of Metals:* Metals below carbon (like Fe, Zn, Pb) can be
extracted by reduction of their oxides with carbon/carbon monoxide. Very
reactive metals (K, Na, Ca, Al, Mg) require electrolysis.
4. *Galvanizing:* Coating iron/steel with zinc (more reactive) protects it
sacrificially from rusting.
5. *Sacrificial Protection:* Attaching blocks of more reactive metals (like
Mg or Zn) to iron structures (e.g., ships, pipelines) protects them from
corrosion.
6. *Explaining Stability:* Why gold/silver/platinum are found native (as
elements) while reactive metals are always found as compounds (ores).
7. *Choosing Storage Methods:* Highly reactive metals (K, Na) are stored
under oil to prevent reaction with air/water.

Understanding both the fundamental properties and the reactivity series

order is crucial for explaining and predicting the chemical behavior of
metals.