Question

Explain the reaction of water with (i) potassium (ii) Magnesium and (iii) Aluminium. Write down the balanced equations.​

Answer 1

Answer:

Reaction of potassium with water

Potassium metal reacts very rapidly with water to form a colourless solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) and hydrogen gas (H2). ... The reaction is exothermic. Early in the reaction, the potassium metal becomes so hot that it catches fire and burns with a characteristic pale lilac colour.

Magnesium burns in steam to produce white magnesium oxide and hydrogen gas. Very clean magnesium ribbon has a very slight reaction with cold water. After several minutes, some bubbles of hydrogen form on its surface, and the coil of magnesium ribbon usually floats to the surface.

Due to its highly negative redox potential, aluminium reacts with water to produce hydrogen gas according to the equation: 2Al + 3H2O → 3H2 + Al2O3. This chemical reaction may be of particular importance when it occurs between the strands of an aluminium conductor.

Hope this helps you