Question

On reaction with water, an active metal produces:
(This question has multiple correct options)
(A) Oxygen
(B) Nitric acid
(C) Base
(D) Metal hydroxide
(E) None of the above

Answer 1

The primary distinction between metals based on them undergo chemical reactions. In the periodic table, elements towards the bottom left corner are metals that are more active and more reactive. The rate of these metals increases as they go down this column in the periodic table because more active metals become more metallic.

Complete step by step solution:
There are four types of classification of metals based on their activity,
(1) The active metals – Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs (Group IA) and Ca, Sr, Ba (Group IIA)
(2) The less active metals – Mg, Al, Zn, and Mn
(3) The structural metals – Cr, Fe, Sn, Pb, and Cu
(4) The coinage metals - Ag, Au, Pt, Hg
-The active metals are said to be more activity based on the reactivity combined with water and oxygen vapor in the atmosphere. All Group IA and Group IIA metals are active metals.
When the active metals react with water explained by dropping pieces of Li, Na, and K into the water. Among these three metals, Li reacts slowly with water, Na reacts much more rapidly, and K reacts violently.
-To predict the product of this active metal reacts with water by explaining with an example,
For example, consider the reaction between sodium and water from the following steps,
(1) Firstly, Na atom lose an electron to form sodium ion,
$Na\to N{{a}^{+}}+{{e}^{-}}$ (1)
(2) The electrons released from sodium react with water molecules that form hydroxide ions.
$2{{H}_{2}}O+2{{e}^{-}}\to 2O{{H}^{-}}$ -- (2)
-Adding these two half-reactions of the reaction between sodium and water.
$2Na(s)+{{H}_{2}}O(l)\to 2N{{a}^{+}}(aq)+2O{{H}^{-}}(aq)+{{H}_{2}}(g)$
-Hence, the products formed when active metal reacts with water are metal hydroxide which is base, and hydrogen gas evolution.

So, two options are correct. Options C and D. On reaction with water, an active metal produces metal hydroxide and a base.

Note: There is a powerful method to predict the reactivity of active metals with oxygen which is the most reactive non-metal. When active metals react with oxygen form metal oxides and peroxides. Due to the reactivity of metals with oxygen and water, metals are stored in inert liquid like mineral oils. For example, sodium metal stored in kerosene.