Reactions with Water
Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 4.2.4
Reactions of Reactive Metals with Water
Potassium, sodium and lithium all react quickly with cold water to produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
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.
Sodium
- Sodium fizzes rapidly and melts to form a ball that moves around on the water surface.
Lithium
- Lithium fizzes steadily and floats, becoming smaller until it eventually disappears.
Test yourself on Reactions with Water
Which metals react quickly with cold water?
Which metal burns with a lilac flame when it reacts with cold water?
Alkali Reactions with Water
Which metal is the quickest to react with water?
What do the reactions of potassium, sodium and lithium with cold water have in common, despite their different reaction speeds?