what are chemical properties of metals

Chemical properties of metals are:

i. They form positive ions

ii. They form basic oxides and hydroxides

iii. They react with oxygen present in atmosphere to form oxides and for iron, it corrodes.

iv. They form metallic bonds

I. Reaction of metals with water/steam

i. Sodium reacts violently to form sodium hydroxide and release hydrogen gas

ii. Some metals react with steam to form metal oxide and hydrogen gas. This is true for metals from magnesium to iron in metal activity series.

iii. Red hot iron reacts with stem to form iron oxide and hydrogen gas

Gold, silver, tin, lead, copper and platinum do not react with water.

II. Reaction of metals with oxygen:

i. Sodium reacts with oxygen at room temperature to form sodium oxide.

ii. Magnesium reacts with oxygen on heating to form magnesium oxide, while zinc reacts only on strong heating.

Iron forms rust with oxygen present in air.

III. Reaction of metals with acids

Metals react with acids to form metal salt and hydrogen gas.

Metals below hydrogen do not react with dilute acids

IV. Reaction of metals with salt solutions:

More reactive metals displace less reactive metals from their solution.