Question

(a) Why does aluminium not react with water under ordinary conditions?
(b) Name two metals which can displace hydrogen from dilute acids.
(c) Name two metals which cannot displace hydrogen from dilute acids.

Answer 1

(a) Aluminium does not react with water under ordinary conditions because of the presence of a thin but tough layer of aluminium oxide on its surface, This layer of aluminium oxide prevents it from reacting with water.

(b) Sodium and magnesium are two metals which can displace hydrogen from dilute acids.

(c) Copper and silver are two metals which cannot displace hydrogen from dilute acids.