Chemistry
Give reasons for the following:
Metals form cations while non-metals form anions.
Potassium reacts vigorously with cold water while copper does not react with water or steam.
Rusting reduces the structural strength of iron.
A suspension of rust is basic in nature.
Galvanized steel is not used for articles used for edible applications.
Metals & Non-Metals
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Answer
Metals have 1, 2 or 3 valence electrons and tend to lose one or more electrons when supplied with energy and form cations whereas non-metals have 5, 6 or 7 electrons in the valence shells and tend to gain electrons to form anions.
Potassium is at the top of the metal activity series making it the most reactive metal. Its high reactivity is seen in its vigorous reaction with cold water. On the other hand, copper lies towards the bottom of the series at number 10, below hydrogen. Hence, it cannot displace hydrogen from water and therefore does not react with water or steam.
Rusting corrodes iron thereby reducing the structural strength of iron.
Rust is hydrated iron [III] oxide. As all metallic oxides are basic in nature and a suspension of rust is a metallic oxide of iron, hence, it is basic in nature.
Galvanized steel has zinc coating and so it is not used for food containers since food acids dissolve zinc forming poisonous compounds.
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Related Questions
State a specific reason for using –
(a) steel in automobiles
(b) gold in jewellery
(c) copper in electrical cables
(d) zinc in galvanizing
(e) lead in bullets
(f) magnesium in fireworks.
Complete the statements given below, by filling in the blank with the correct word/s:
The ability of a metal to produce a resonant sound …………… [ductility/sonority/malleability].
A metal which floats on water …………… [zinc/potassium/magnesium].
A non-metal that leaves a mark on paper …………… [phosphorous/graphite/sulphur].
A non-metal which allows an electric current to pass through it …………… [graphite/sulphur/iodine].
A non-metal added to swimming pools to kill germs …………… [nitrogen/chlorine/oxygen].
Name the following:
The most reactive halogen.
A metal used in packaging.
The chemical compound responsible for the green deposit on the surface of articles of copper.
A metal used in flexible pipes.
A halogen which is solid at room temperature.
Match the correct answer from A, B, C, D and E – for each statement given below:
A : Boron, B : Chlorine, C : Potassium, D : Platinum, E : Radon
The element placed in the extreme left of the Modern Periodic Table.
The element which shows properties of both metals and non-metals.
The element from the halogen family which is most abundant.
The element which is noble gas and radioactive in nature.
The element which is a noble metal.