Metals

By: Marrwah Elhakeem 8A

Hypothesis

In this presentation we are going to investigate the relationship between the reactivity of a metal and the date of it’s discovery. I think that the less reactive the metal is, the earlier it was discovered because they don’t tarnish and they are found on the earth’s crust with other elements.

This relates to Human Ingenuity because it shows how humans used their creativity and they discovered different metals and how to use them.

Zinc

According to records, Zinc was discovered by Andreas Marggraf at 1746 in Germany.

The major uses of zinc are:-anti-corrosion coatings on steel (galvanizing) -precision components (die casting) -construction material -brass -pharmaceuticals and cosmetics

Properties & extraction of Zinc

Zinc has some similar properties to other metals on the periodic table, such as iron.

Zinc shares properties with 12 other group metals and they are all somewhat reactive.

Zinc is extracted using two processes:

RoastingReduction

Magnesium

Magnesium was discovered by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1808.

Magnesium & it’s uses:

Airplanes

Missiles

Science labs for school

Magnesium properties & extraction

Properties: its soft silvery-white aluminum that easily reacts with oxygen. It is usually mixed with other metals to make strong lightweight alloys

Extraction: It is found in the earth’s ocean wheat bran, whole grains, green vegetables, meat & milk etc…

Potassium

Potassium was discovered by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1807.

Some of the uses of potassium:

Almost all of the potassium in the world is used in fertilizers

Potassium chloride is used to stop the heart

Potassium chlorate is used to kill weeds

Potassium properties & extraction

Potassium is one of the most reactive and electropositive of metals. The only metal that is lighter than potassium is lithium. The silvery white metal is soft (easily cut with a knife,) Potassium and its salts will color flames violet.

Extractions: it is extracted from electrolysis of potash.

Lithium

Lithium was discovered by Johann Arfwedson in 1817.

Some uses of Lithium:

Lithium can be used as a coolant due to its high specific heat capacity

Compounds of lithium flares a red color and gives fireworks

Lithium can be used in disposable and rechargeable batteries too

Lithium properties & extraction

Properties: Lithium is a light and highly reactive metal. It is found in many stars. It is a soft silvery-white metal, which can be easily cut with a knife and it is highly reactive

Extraction: Lithium mostly is mined from pegmatite, and could be extracted from lithium batteries.

Aluminum

Aluminum was discovered by Hans Christian Oersted in 1825.

Some uses of Lithium:

the most common end uses of aluminum is packaging, including drinks cans, foil wrappings, bottle tops and foil containers.

Aluminum properties & extractions

Properties: It is lightweight, has a high strength to weight ratio, it has corrosion resistance, it is flexible, and it can also conduct electricity

Extractions: The principle ore of aluminum is bauxite, which is usually mined by open cut technique.

Calcium

Calcium was discovered by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1808.

Some uses of calcium:

Cheese is made using calcium ions

Calcium makes cement and mortar important for constructing buildings

Calcium is used as a reducing agent in order to extract some metals

Calcium properties & extraction

Properties: Calcium is a silvery white, soft alkaline earth metal. Although none of the alkaline earths occur free in nature, calcium compounds are abundant.

Extractions: Calcium is extracted from one of its own compounds because it is not found by itself in nature

Copper

Copper was discovered by someone only known to the ancients.

Some uses of Copper:

Copper is used to pipe water supplies

As a good conductor of electricity, copper is used in Copper wire

Copper is often used to color glass

Copper properties & extraction

Properties: Copper is a good electrical conductor, it is corrosion resistant, it is anti bacterial, it is ductile, and it is also easy to alloy.

Extraction: It is extracted by reduction

Silver

Silver was discovered by someone only known to the ancients.

Some uses of silver:

Cutlery

Jewelry

Batteries

Mirrors

Silver properties & extraction

Properties: including currency, decorative items and mirrors, Silver is slightly harder than gold. It is very ductile and malleable.

Extraction: It is extracted from copper & lead ores. These ores are first crushed and then smelted

Reactivity Series

Reactivity Series

As you can see in the picture on your left, the most reactive metal is potassium, Potassium is the highly reactive towered water ,  and oxygen because it has only one electron in it’s outer shell and its ionization potential is very low.

Furthermore, the least reactive metal is “Platinum”. Due to its exceptional chemical resistance, it is used in Laboratory equipment that requires excellent resistance to acid and alkalis.

Timeline

Conclusion

In my hypothesis I said that I think that the less reactive the metal is, the earlier it was discovered. This is true but magnesium is less reactive than aluminum yet it was discovered before aluminum.

This is because aluminum was discovered as a compound no as an element. It took time to come up with a way to isolate it.