Metals and Non-metals

Reaction with Acid

When a metal reacts with a diulte acid, salt and hydrogen gas are formed. Following is the general equation for this reaction.

Metal + dil. acid ⇨ Metal salt + Hydrogen

Reaction of Sodium with dilute Acid

When sodium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid, then sodium chloride is formed and hydrogen gas evolves. Following equations shows this reaction.

2Na + 2HCl ⇨ 2NaCl + H₂

Reaction of Potassium with dilute Acid

When potassium reacts with dilute sulphuric acid, then potassium sulphate and hydrogen gas are formed. Following equation shows this reaction.

2K + H₂SO₄ ⇨ K₂SO₄ + H₂

Chapter List

Reaction of Magnesium with dilute Acid

When magnesium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid, then magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas are formed. Following equation shows this reaction.

Mg + 2HCl ⇨ MgCl₂ + H₂

Reaction of Aluminium with dilute Acid

When aluminium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid, then aluminium chloride and hydrogen gas are formed. Following equation shows this reaction.

2Al + 6HCl ⇨ 2AlCl₃ + 3H₂

Reaction of Zinc with dilute Acid

When zinc reacts with dilute sulphuric acid, then zinc sulphate and hydrogen gas are formed. Following equation shows this reaction.

Zn + H₂SO₄ ⇨ ZnSO₄ + H₂

Copper, gold and silver are known as noble metals. These metals do not react with dilute acids.

Metal Oxides

Reaction with water	Being basic in nature, the solution of metal oxides is alkaline. It is important to remember that oxides of alkali metals are soluble in water.
Amphoteric oxide	Oxides of some metals show dual behaviour, i.e. acidic and basic, e.g. aluminium oxide and zinc oxide. These are called amphoteric oxide.

Chemical Properties

Metal oxides are basic in nature. That is why, aqueous solution of metal oxides turns red litmus blue.

Reaction of metal oxides with water

Most of the metal oxides are insoluble in water. Alkali metal oxides are soluble in water. Alkali metal oxides give strong base when dissolved in water.

Reaction of sodium oxide with water

When sodium oxide reacts with water, it gives sodium hydroxide. Following equation shows this reaction.

Na₂O + H₂O ⇨ 2NaOH

Reaction of magnesium oxide with water

When magnesium oxide reacts with water, it gives magnesium hydroxide. Following equation shows this reaction.

MgO + H₂O ⇨ Mg(OH)₂

Reaction of potassium oxide with water

When potassium oxide reacts with water, it gives potassium hydroxide. Following equation shows this reaction.

K₂O + H₂O ⇨ 2KOH

Zinc Oxide and Aluminium Oxide

Both aluminium oxide and zinc oxide are insoluble in water. Aluminium oxide and zinc oxide are amphoteric in nature. An amphoteric substance shows both acidic and basic character. It reacts with base like an acid, and reacts with an acid like a base. In other words, amphoteric substance shows dual nature, i.e. both acidic and basic nature.

Acidic Nature of Zinc Oxide: When zinc oxide reacts with sodium hydroxide, it behaves like an acid. In this reaction, sodium zicate and water are formed. Following equation shows this reaction.

ZnO + 2NaOH ⇨ Na₂ZnO₂ + H₂O

Basic Nature of Zinc Oxide: Zinc oxide behaves like a base when it reacts with acid. Zinc oxide gives zinc chloride and water on reaction with hydrochloric acid. Following equation shows this reaction.

ZnO + 2HCl ⇨ ZnCl₂ + H₂O

Similarly, aluminium oxide behaves like a base when it reacts with an acid, and behaves like an acid when it reacts with a base.

Acidic Nature of Aluminium Oxide: Aluminium oxide gives sodium aluminate along with water, when it reacts with sodium hydroxide. Following equation shows this reaction.

Al₂O₃ + 2NaOH ⇨ 2NaAlO₂ + H₂O

Basic Nature of Aluminium Oxide: Aluminium oxide gives aluminium chloride along with water, when it reacts with hydrochloric acid. Following equation shows this reaction.

Al₂O₃ + 6HCl ⇨ 2AlCl₃ + 3H₂O