Reactivity Series
Video clips and animations
- Reaction between copper(II) oxide and magnesium
You will need to use the pause button during this short video to read the labels which don't stay around for long. YouTube - The Thermite reaction
One of many, many versions of this reaction between iron(III) oxide and aluminium to be found on YouTube. The reaction is started with a strip of burning magnesium. - Reduction of copper(II) oxide by carbon
Includes testing the products for carbon dioxide. YouTube. - Reaction between copper(II) sulfate solution and iron
Quick demonstration of an iron nail in copper(II) sulfate solution. YouTube - Reaction between silver nitrate solution and copper
Simple, effective demonstration of the experiment with a coil of copper wire in silver nitrate solution. YouTube. - Magnesium burning in steam
The magnesium is half-way along the tube, and there is wet sand at the bottom. The magnesium was heated until it started to burn, and then the heat was transferred to the bottom of the tube to generate maximum steam. YouTube. - The very reactive metals on cold water
OU video of the reactions of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and caesium with water. This is actually designed as a part of a study of Group 1 of the Periodic Table, but is worth a look now as well. YouTube. - Reactions of Group 2 metals with water
This brief video shows the effect of dropping the metals magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium into water. You will need to pause the video several times to read the labelling. Again this is designed as a part of a study of Group 2 of the Periodic Table, but it is worth including here as well. Although Group 2 isn't on the Edexcel IGCSE syllabus as such, this shows that the same trend to increasing reactivity as you go down the Group happens here as in Group 1. However, the Group 2 metals are less reactive compared with the corresponding ones in Group 1 - for example, magnesium is a lot less reactive than sodium; calcium is a lot less reactive than potassium, and so on. You will, of course, be expected to know the reactions between both magnesium and calcium and water. YouTube
Other useful or interesting sites
- Welding rails using the Thermite reaction
Chemistry in action! YouTube
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© Jim Clark 2017
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