Question

Do zinc not react with water cold , hot or even steam ?
​​​​​​Please tell me or send me the reactivity series of metals with water.

Answer 1

Metals like aluminium, zinc, iron do not react with hot/cold water ; they react only with steam to form a metal oxide and hydrogen . 2Al + 3 H2O → Al2O3 + 3H2 Zn + H2O → ZnO + H2 3Fe + 4H2O → Fe2O3 + 4H2
Reactivity Series in chemistry is experimental, structurally logical progression of series of metals in order of reactivity from highest to lowest. Metals react differently with different substances. It gives a descriptive detail on metal reactions with the extraction of metals from ores and with acids and water. Some metals are usually are less reactive whereas some metals are highly reactive. The metals which lose electrons readily are less reactive compared to that of metals which forms positive ions. For instance consider the below equation. $Z{n}_{\left(s\right)}+CuS{O}_{4\left(aq\right)}\to ZnS{O}_{4\left(sq\right)}+C{u}_{\left(s\right)}$ In the above equation, Zinc is immersed in a copper sulfate solution; Zinc uproots copper from copper sulphate solution since it is a metal. From this, it is evident that Zinc is more reactive as copper cannot uproot Zinc from Zinc sulphate solution. The below table illustrates the reactivity of metals from high order to low order. Element :K Potassium ( Highly Active Metal) >Ba Barium >Ca Calcium >Na Sodium> Mg Magnesium >Al Aluminium >Zn Zinc >Fe Iron >Ni Nickel> Sn Tin >Pb Lead >H Hydrogen >Cu Copper >Hg Mercury> Ag Silver> Au Gold >Pt Platinum
Silver, gold and platinum are metals with least reactivity. They are found in nature. The metals with high reactive series in the above paragraph also indicates that reverse reaction is a bit tough process. Reactions are mostly Exothermic in case of highly reactive metals. The reaction takes place fast in highly reactive metals. Metals which are present above the carbon are extracted using electrolysis method. Carbon and hydrogen plays and vital role in terms of method that involves metal extraction. Reaction with Water and Acids Sodium is a most reactive metal. It produces hydrogen and metal hydroxide when it reacts with cold water. \(2Na+2H20 =2NaoH +H2)Iron which is present in the middle of the table of the reactive series when reacted with sulfuric acid produces hydrogen and metal salt namely iron sulphate.
Fe+H2SO4=Fes +H2SO4