Chemical Properties of Metals
Some metals react with acids, oxygen and water to produce compounds. Reactivity of such metals differs. Some metals react with acid, whiles others react with oxygen or water.
Examples are given below:
Reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid
Zn + 2HCl → Zn Cl2 + H2
The reaction is between zinc and dilute hydrochloric acid to form zinc chloride and hydrogen gas.
Reaction with Water
2Li + H2O → Li2O + H2
The reaction is between lithium and water to form lithium oxide and hydrogen gas.
Reaction with Oxygen
2Mg + O2 → 2MgO
The reaction is between magnesium and oxygen to form magnesium oxide.
Whiles some metals can react with other substances, others cannot react; those metals are known as non-reactive metals.
Examples of non-reactive metals are gold, silver, platinum etc. those metals do not react with other substance and that is why they used in making ornaments and jewelry.