10.1.3

Reactivity Tests - Water

Test yourself

Reactions of Reactive Metals with Water

Potassium, sodium and lithium all react quickly with cold water to produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

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Potassium

  • Potassium is the most reactive so reacts very quickly.
  • The hydrogen produced ignites instantly and the metal also sets alight, sparking and burning with a lilac flame.
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Sodium

  • Sodium fizzes rapidly and melts to form a ball that moves around on the water surface.
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Lithium

  • Lithium fizzes steadily and floats, becoming smaller until it eventually disappears.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

3Atomic Structure

4The Periodic Table

5Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

6Bonding

7Electrolysis

8Groups of the Periodic Table

9The Atmosphere

10Reactivity Series

11Metal Extraction

12Acids & Alkalis

13Chemical Tests

14Physical Chemistry

15Organic Chemistry

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