Alkali Metals & Water
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 8.2.4
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 Alkali Metals & Water
Which metals react quickly with cold water?
Which metal burns with a lilac flame when it reacts with cold water?
What is produced when reactive metals react with cold water?
Alkali Reactions with Water