“Does a connection or relationship exist between the reactivity of a metal and when it was discovered?” By: Arsalaan Muhammad Science 8a

Periodic table of Elements

Reactivity of Metals Potassium- K Sodium- Na Calcium- Ca Magnesium- Mg Aluminum- Al Carbon- C Zinc- Zn Iron- Fe Lead- Pb Hydrogen- H Copper- Cu Silver- Ag Gold- Au Platinum- Pt Increasing Reactivity Why are some metals more reactive than other? Some metals are more reactive then others because their electrons are further away from each other.

Potassium (k) This exceedingly reactive metal was discovered in 1807 by Sir Davy Humphrey. In the 18th century, potassium was used for cleaning purposes. It is mainly used to create glass and soap. How was it discovered? In 1807, Sir Davy Humphrey passed electric current through the molten solution of potash, which led to the emergence of tiny droplets of the metal. This was when potassium was discovered.

Magnesium (mg) Magnesium was discovered in 1808 by Sir Humphrey Davy, a chemist from England. Magnesium is an alkali-metal which was originally called Magnesia (named after a city). It is generally found comprised within other metals, minerals, water etc. This is a the most reactive metal in this presentation. Magnesium has a slight reaction with water and air but is protected by a thin layer of oxide surrounding its metal form. It reacts intensely with acids and has a strong reaction to halogens or non metals.

Zinc (zn) In 1746, the German chemist Andreas Marggraf discovered the metal zinc. It is also known as Zin (german for tin). It is a great metal for sacrificial protection. When you coat other metals with zinc, it is called galvanizing. The major uses of zinc are: -anti-corrosion coatings on steel (galvanizing) -precision components (die casting) -construction material -ma king brass -pharmaceuticals and cosmetics -micronutrient for humans, animals and plants Zinc is being mined in more than 50 countries.It reacts with acids, alkalis and other non-metals.

Iron (fe) Iron has been known to mankind since our ancients. Iron can be found as parts in planes to hemoglobins in our bodies which helps carry oxygen in our blood. We obtain Iron from Iron Ores. Approximately 1000 years ago, people of West africa realized that this metal was a lot better than bronze and copper. Iron reacts best with acids. nail.html

Copper (cu) Copper has been used for at least 11,000 years. It is most known to be used by the romans. They gave the name “Cyprium” to this metal. It means metal of Cyprus. It is a metal that can conduct electricity well. Its characteristics of copper: it is ductile, malleable and sectile, meaning it can be pounded into other shapes, stretched into a wire and cut into slices.

Gold (au) Gold is a precious metal which was discovered nearly 5000 years ago. Gold is from the word auram which means shining dawn It is one of the more expensive metals as it does not react to oxygen meaning that it lasts for practically forever. People use it for jewelry, coins, electronics etc. It can be obtained from the crust of the earth, in oil rich mines, in copper ores and other places as well. When it is found, it is pure gold and not an oxide. It is one of the least reactive metals on the periodic table of elements. zimeye.org

How do you extract a metal from an ore? Ever since fire was discovered, humans have extracted metals from special rocks and ores and forged them into shapes needed. There are three basic ways extracting metals from their ores. Pyrometallurgy is the treatment of metals and their ores by heat. Pyrometallurgy includes roasting, which is the heating of ores in air or heating it with carbon (coke) or carbon monoxide. Pyrometallurgy is the oldest extractive process. The second basic way of treating metallic ore is electrometallurgy. In this method the metals are processed using electricity. Electric arc furnaces are used to make steel. Electrometallurgy is used when very high purity metal is needed like gold. The third basic way of treating metallic ore is hydrometallurgy. This is a wet process where reactants are used in a water solution. This method has not been used on an industrial scale due to the high costs involved. However, as the concentration of desired metal becomes less in the ores mined, the wet processing of the more valuable metal ores becomes more possible / allurgy-extraction-magnesium/14314

The Answer Yes, there is a connection between the reactivity of the metals and when it was discovered. Most of the less reactive metals were discovered a long time ago (2000 years +). Back then, people found chunks of these lower reactive metals easily. Most of the metals which have a higher reactivity have been extracted from different compounds through complicated extraction methods which people from the stone age or the iron age couldn't have done. These metals were found more recently (within the past 1000 years).

Bibliography Bentor, Yinon. Chemical Element.com - Magnesium. Nov. 2, Bentor, Yinon. Chemical Element.com - Copper. Nov. 2, Bentor, Yinon. Chemical Element.com - Zinc. Nov. 2, Bentor, Yinon. Chemical Element.com - Iron. Nov. 2, Bentor, Yinon. Chemical Element.com - Potassium. Nov. 2, Bentor, Yinon. Chemical Element.com - Gold. Nov. 2, Pillai, By Maya. "Who Discovered Copper." Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. Web. 02 Nov "Andreas Sigismund Marggraf." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 25 Oct Web. 02 Nov Tom Lugaski. "Extracting Metal from Ore." University of Nevada, Reno. 20 May Web. 05 Nov

Bibliography "Potassium." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 9 Nov Web. 05 Nov "Magnesium." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 9 Nov Web. 10 Nov "Zinc." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 9 Nov Web. 10 Nov "Iron." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 9 Nov Web. 10 Nov Bc, By "Copper." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 9 Nov Web. 10 Nov Comparison, By. "Gold." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 9 Nov Web. 10 Nov , By. "Zinc- History, Production, Uses, Properties, Health, and Other Facts." Learn Chinese - Private Lessons and Group Classes at Chinese Learning Center. Web. 10 Nov information.html Dr. Karen Carr. "Iron - History for Kids!" Kidipede - History for Kids - Homework Help for Middle School. 26 Oct Web. 08 Nov