Short note on chemical property of …

Chemical Properties of Metals and Non-metals:

1. Reaction with oxygen:

Metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides. Metals oxides are basic in nature which turns red litmus to blue. When magnesium burns in air, it combines with oxygen to form magnesium oxide.

ii. Reaction with water:

When a metal reacts with water, then a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas are formed. The vigour of reaction of metal with water depends on its chemical reactivity. Example – sodium is a very reactive metal so it reacts violently even with cold water.

iii. Reaction with acids: Most of the metals react with dilute acids to form salts and hydrogen gas that burns with a ‘pop’ sound. Only less reactive metals like copper, silver and gold do not react with dilute acids.

Magnesium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to form magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas.

iv. Reaction with bases:

Some metals react with bases to form salts and hydrogen gas.  For example – when aluminium is heated with sodium hydroxide solution, then sodium aluminate and hydrogen gas are formed.