8.

4 Reactions of metals with water

8.4 Reactions of metals

with water
Exercise 8.4 Reactions with water
and steam
In this exercise, you practice writing word equations. It will also help you
to think about the reactions with water and steam.

Focus
The table summarises the reactions of some metals with water.

Metal Reaction with water

zinc reacts only with steam
copper no reaction
potassium the metal bursts into flames
magnesium slow reaction with water

1 Place the metals in order of their reactivity with water.

Start with the most reactive.

Most reactive potassium

zinc

magnesium

Least reactive copper

2 Write the word equation for the reaction between potassium

and water.
potassium + water -> potassium hydroxide + hydrogen

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8 Chemical reactions

3 Name another metal that reacts in a similar way to potassium.

sodium

Practice
4 Using the information above, explain why copper is used for the
roofs of some buildings and magnesium is not.
copper is unreactive white magnesium reacts more.

5 Write the word equation for the reaction between calcium and water.
calcium + water -> calcium hydroxide + water

6 This apparatus was set up to demonstrate the reaction of some

metals with steam. Label the diagram.

7 Which gas is given off in this reaction?

hydrogen

8 How do you test for this gas?

check if a splint is lighted or there is a sqeuaky pop sound

9 Write the word equation for the reaction between magnesium
and steam.
magnesium + steam -> magnesium oxide + hydrogen

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 8.4 Reactions of metals with water

Challenge
10 A metal such as magnesium or calcium reacts with water.
Draw and label the apparatus you could use to collect the
gas given off in this reaction.

glass continer
piece of
potassium
piece of
magnesium
water

11 Copper pipes are used to carry water and in heating systems.

Explain why copper is used and explain what would happen
if pipes made of iron were used?

Iron will react with water and cause an explosion. Copper are used
because it is not reactive at all so it wont react with water.

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