Different metals react with oxygen, water, and acids at different rates. Some metals like sodium are extremely reactive while others like gold barely
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Why do some metals tarnish while others stay shiny?
Reactive metals like sodium and potassium tarnish instantly because they react with oxygen in air. Less reactive metals like copper tarnish slowly over years as they gradually react with oxygen and moisture. Unreactive metals like gold and platinum almost never tarnish because they do not readily react with air.
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What is the relationship between reactivity and position on the periodic table?
Metals become more reactive moving down a group because electrons are farther from the nucleus and easier to remove. Metals become more reactive moving left across a period because they have fewer valence electrons. The most reactive metals are at the bottom left corner while the least reactive are at the right side of the transition metals.
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Can you predict whether a metal will react with water?
Yes, using the reactivity series. Metals above magnesium in the series react with water. Sodium and potassium react explosively with cold water. Calcium and magnesium react slowly with cold water or readily with hot water. Metals below magnesium do not react with water at all.
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