* Metallic Character: Metals tend to lose electrons easily, forming positively charged ions (cations).
* Reaction with Water: When a metal reacts with water, it typically loses electrons to the hydrogen atoms in water molecules. This results in the formation of hydroxide ions (OH-), which are basic.
* Example: Sodium (Na) reacts with water to produce sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a strong base:
2Na(s) + 2H₂O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H₂(g)
Exceptions:
* Noble Metals: Metals like gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) are very unreactive and do not react with water.
* Some Transition Metals: Certain transition metals like copper (Cu) and silver (Ag) react very slowly with water and may form oxides rather than bases.
Important Note: The reactivity of metals with water varies greatly. Some metals like sodium and potassium react violently, while others like iron react slowly. The reactivity is determined by the metal's position in the reactivity series.
