2.6.8

Carbon & The Reactivity Series

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Carbon and The Reactivity Series

Carbon is not a metal but you will see it placed in the reactivity series of metals. Carbon is used to predict the outcomes of reactions involving metal salts and carbon.

Illustrative background for Displacement reactionsIllustrative background for Displacement reactions ?? "content

Displacement reactions

  • Carbon is a non-metal - it's included in the reactivity series so that you can use it to predict what happens in displacement reactions.
    • A displacement reaction happens when a more reactive metal takes the place of a less reactive metal.
    • Carbon will react with metal oxides that are below it in the reactivity series to give carbon dioxide.
Illustrative background for Examples of displacement reactionsIllustrative background for Examples of displacement reactions ?? "content

Examples of displacement reactions

  • Iron oxide + carbon → iron + carbon dioxide
  • Copper oxide + carbon → copper + carbon dioxide
Illustrative background for Example of a failed displacement reactionIllustrative background for Example of a failed displacement reaction ?? "content

Example of a failed displacement reaction

  • If carbon reacts with a metal salt compound above it in the reactivity series, no reaction will take place.
    • Potassium oxide + carbon → potassium oxide + carbon [no reaction]
Illustrative background for Oxidation and reductionIllustrative background for Oxidation and reduction ?? "content

Oxidation and reduction

  • If a substance loses oxygen, it is reduced.
  • If a substance gains oxygen, it has been oxidised.
Illustrative background for OresIllustrative background for Ores ?? "content

Ores

  • Ores are rocks that contain metals which you are able to extract.
  • You can use displacement reactions to extract the metal from the ore by heating it with carbon (if it is lower than carbon in the reactivity series).

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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