Year 9 - Science
Chemical reactions: acid and metal
Acids and bases
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit covers acids, alkalis, and their neutralisation reactions, the pH scale, and the reactions of acids with metals and alkalis. It also examines the chemical properties of metal and non-metal oxides. Emphasis is on evaluating risks, using appropriate techniques, and making observations.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe what happens when an acid reacts with a metal and write word and symbol equations for these reactions.
Key Notes
- When a metal reacts with acid bubbles may form, it is exothermic and the metal reduces in size (disappears).
- Different metals have varying reactivity with acids.
- When a metal reacts with an acid, the products are a metal salt and hydrogen gas.
- The word equation for a metal and acid reaction is: metal + acid → metal salt + hydrogen.
- The test for hydrogen gas is to introduce a lit splint, which will make a squeaky pop in hydrogen.
Vocabulary To Learn
- effervescence: when bubbles of gas are produced in a liquid; another way of saying a liquid is fizzing
- corrosion: when a metal reduces in size due to a chemical reaction
- chemical test: when a chemical reaction is carried out to determine the presence of a substance
- acid: a solution that has a pH of less than 7
- metal salt: a compound comprising of a metal and a non-metal
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils can expect that all reactions will be vigorous and they will see lots of bubbles being formed instantly.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
When a metal reacts with acid bubbles may form, it is exothermic and the metal reduces in size (disappears). Different metals have varying reactivity with acids.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'effervescence'
when bubbles of gas are produced in a liquid; another way of saying a liquid is fizzing. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils can expect that all reactions will be vigorous and they will see lots of bubbles being formed instantly. Correction: Get pupils to leave and observe their metal + acid reactions over a period of time, e.g. 5 minutes. This will ensure that they will be able to observe bubbles forming more slowly for metals such as iron or zinc.
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