What happens when metals react with water?
What Takes Place When Metals React With Water
Metal reacts with water and produces metal oxide and hydrogen, as water is made of hydrogen and oxygen (oxide).
Equation- Metal + Water -> Metal Oxide + Hydrogen
Metal oxides that are easily dissolved in water make metal hydroxide. But not all metals react with water.
Equation- Metal Oxide + Water -> Metal hydroxide
Metals like Potassium and sodium react violently with cold water. The reaction of cold water with potassium and sodium is so strong and exothermic that the hydrogen produced through the reaction catches fire very easily the second the produced hydrogen gas comes in contact with air.
Where the reaction of calcium with water is not that violent. The heat evolved is not sufficient for the hydrogen gas produced during the reaction to catch the fire. Calcium starts floating because of the bubbles of hydrogen gas formed in water.
Magnesium is one of the metals that does not react with water. It reacts with hot water, which forms magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen. It also starts floating due to the hydrogen bubbles formed in water due to the reaction.
Metals like aluminum, iron, and zinc do not react with water at any temperature. But they do react with steam, and each of them form metal oxide and hydrogen after reaction.
Metals such as lead, copper, silver, and gold do not react with any temperature or form of water at all.
– Written By Aruja
When metals react with water, it leads to the formation of metal hydroxide and liberates hydrogen.
metals + water —–> metal hydroxide + hydrogen
Some metals readily react with water, such as
metals such as Li, Na, K, Ba, and Ca, which react with water to give metal hydroxide and hydrogen even at room temperature.
Mg, Al, Zn, and Fe react with steam at high temperatures to give hydroxide and hydrogen
Metals such as Gold and silver do not give hydrogen at any temperatures with water.
– Written By Manpreet
