Reaction of metals and non metals with Bases

1. Metals react with NaOH producing hydrogen gas.
2. Nonmetals undergo complex reactions with NaOH.

Displacement Reaction:

• When a more reactive metal is put in the salt solution of a less reactive metal, the more reactive metal displaces the less reactive metal from its solution.
• Eg: When a strip of Zn is put in CuSO₄ solution. The blue colour of CuSO₄ solution fades due to formation of colourless and metal is deposited on the Zn strip.

• Zinc being more reactive displaces copper from copper sulphate solution.

• Iron being more reactive displaces copper from copper sulphate solution

• Copper being less reactive than zinc will not displace Zinc from the solution.

• Iron being less reactive than Zinc will not displace Zinc from the solution.