Doc Scientia
page 173 to 188
Reaction of METALS AND NON METALS
with oxygen
Burning is a chemical
reaction.
When things burn they react with oxygen in
the air and energy is released as heat and
light.
This chemical reaction is also called
combustion.
metal + oxygen → metal oxide
product dissolve in water → base → litmus blue
non-metal + oxygen → non-metal oxide
product dissolve in water → acid→ litmus red
You will be required to produce fully balanced equations if
you are provided with the reactants. You should also be
able to predict pH
examples…
magnesium reacting with oxygen
potassium reacting with oxygen and the product being
dissolved in water (2 x reactions)
Sulphur reacting with oxygen and the product being
dissolved in water (2 x reactions)
Flame colours: Na, Mg, Fe, Cu
Na Cu
Fe
Mg
Sulphur, Phosphorus, Carbon
C
Refer to pg 106-107 for
Corrosion/Rust more information
CORROSION IS THE DAMAGE CAUSED TO METALS DUE TO THE REACTION OF METALS
WITH OXYGEN, MOISTURE, CARBON DIOXIDE ETC.
E.G. * FORMATION OF BROWN COATING
OF RUST OVER IRON
4Fe + 3O2 → 2Fe2O3
* FORMATION OF GREEN COATING OF BASIC COPPER CARBONATE
OVER COPPER VERDIGRIS
* FORMATION OF BLACK COATING OF
SILVER SULPHIDE OVER SILVER
To show that air and moisture are necessary for the rusting of iron
Take three test tubes marked 1,2,3 and put iron nails in each of them.
Put some anhydrous calcium chloride in test tube 1 to absorb moisture.
Pour some boiled distilled water in test tube 2 and pour some oil over it to
prevent air into the test tube. Pour some water in test tube 3. Cork the test tubes
and leave them for a few days.
The nails in test tube 1 does not get rusted because it had only air and no water.
The nails in test tube 2 does not rust because it had only water and no air. The
nails in test tube 3 gets rusted because it had air and water.
Prevention of corrosion
CORROSION OF METALS CAN BE PREVENTED BY
• APPLYING OIL OR GREASE
• APPLYING PAINT
• BY GALVANISATION (COATING WITH ZINC)
• BY TINNING (COATING WITH TIN)
• BY ELECTROPLATING (COATING A LESS REACTIVE METAL
LIKE CHROMIUM)
• BY ALLOYING (MAKING ALLOYS)
