Physical and Chemical Properties of Metals and Non-metals

12 Questions

What is the primary role of platinum in car catalytic converters?

To catalyze chemical reactions

Which of the following metals undergoes rapid oxidation when scratched?

Sodium

What is the product of the reaction between calcium and oxygen?

Calcium oxide

What is the minimum requirement for iron to rust?

Both oxygen and water

What is the purpose of coating iron with paint or plastic?

To act as a barrier to oxygen and water

What is the term for the corrosion of iron?

Rusting

What is the primary characteristic of the chemical properties of metals?

Their reactions with other substances, such as non-metals and air

What is the correct ending of the non-metal when naming a compound?

_ide

Which of the following metals is reactive?

Calcium

What is the primary reason copper is used in electrical wires?

Because it is flexible and a good conductor of electricity

What is the term for metals that speed up chemical reactions without being used up themselves?

Catalysts

What is the primary characteristic of non-metals?

They are poor conductors of heat and electricity

Study Notes

Catalysts and Their Uses

Platinum is used in catalytic converters in cars to speed up chemical reactions.
Palladium (Pd) is used as a catalyst, reacting with oxygen to prevent corrosion.

Corrosion and Oxidation of Metals

Corrosion is a reaction between metals and oxygen, resulting in the formation of metal oxides.
The reaction of metals with oxygen forms metal oxides: Pt (Platinum), Rh (Rhodium), and more.
Oxidation reactions involve the loss of electrons, resulting in the formation of a new compound.
Examples of oxidation reactions: calcium + oxygen → calcium oxide, zinc + oxygen → zinc oxide.

Rusting of Iron

The corrosion of iron is called rusting.
Rusting destroys iron and steel structures because rust is weak and crumbly.
Water and oxygen must be present for iron to rust: iron + water + oxygen → iron hydroxide.
Coating the iron with paint, plastic, etc. acts as a barrier to oxygen and water, stopping iron rusting.

Physical Properties of Metals

Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity.
Metals are shiny, strong solids with a high melting point (except for mercury).
Metals are flexible and malleable.
Metals are sonorous, making a sound when hit.

Chemical Properties of Metals

Metals react with non-metals: calcium + chlorine → calcium chloride.
Metals react with air (oxygen), water, and acids.
Some metals are reactive (e.g., calcium), while others are unreactive (e.g., gold).

Uses of Metals

Metals have many uses depending on their different properties.
Examples of metal uses: copper in electrical wires (flexible and good conductor) and roof sheets (malleable and resistant to water).

Metals as Catalysts

Some metals act as catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions without being used up themselves.