Carbon & The Reactivity Series
Science: KS3, topic 2.6.8
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.
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.
Examples of displacement reactions
- Iron oxide + carbon → iron + carbon dioxide
- Copper oxide + carbon → copper + carbon dioxide
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]
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Oxidation and reduction
- If a substance loses oxygen, it is reduced.
- If a substance gains oxygen, it has been oxidised.
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).
Test yourself on Carbon & The Reactivity Series
In the reaction iron oxide + carbon → iron + carbon dioxide, what happens to the iron oxide?
Which of these is true of the following reaction types?
Why does carbon not react with potassium oxide?